Waters and Ruins
Season 13, Episode 04
April 21, 2025
Waters and Ruins
Re-Imagined Radio presents two radio stories by Martin J. Gallagher, "And the Waters" and "The Ruins of Mauripol." Gallagher, an independent composer and media producer based in Portland, Oregon, frames each story with music. "And the Waters" remembers William (Sam) Gregory, a Portland playright/poet, who died in 2024. "The Ruins of Mauripol" (a response to the Russian invasion and destruction of Mariupol, Ukraine) features a three-part string quartet by Vancouver composer Daniel Truschov. From our Guest Producer series.
Access the episode script
Background
Martin (Marty) John Gallagher is an independent composer and sound designer based in Portland, Oregon. His career as a sound designer, composer, and sound-based storyteller spans 60 years and includes setting up and running sound for a variety of performances, recording live theatrical and musical performances, and, as Gallagher recounts, "teaching others to capture moments of sound that otherwise would have come and gone, locked in the memory of a select few, but otherwise lost in time."
Martin Gallagher has also produced "My Hands Are Different" for Re-Imagined Radio. This amazing radio story recounts Gallagher's discovery of personality traits inherited from both his birth and adoptive fathers. Listen and learn here→
Production
Contents
This episode of Re-Imagined Radio samples two stories produced by Martin (Marty) John Gallagher, an independent composer and sound designer based in Portland. "And the Waters" and "The Ruins of Mariupol." Both are framed by music.
Gallagher provides these notes regarding the musical works included in this episode.
"And the Waters"
"And the Waters" is a memoriam to William (Sam) Gregory, a Portland playwright/poet, who died March 7,
2024. This one features music composed and performed by Gallagher, who also reads "And the Waters," a
poem by Gregory. Musical accompaniment and other permissions for use given by Martin J. Gallagher.
Gallagher says a trip to China provided inspiration for this sound-based story. "In 1998, I have the opportunity to travel to China with a group of theatrical technicians. I take a portable recorder with me. I wonder now that I'm allowed to bring it into China during that era.
"I remember visiting Beijing and walking through Tienanmen Square, then entering the Forbidden City through the great arches that divide those two."
Chinese Students recorded with permission in 1998 by Suzhou Children's Palace. "Hungarian Rhapsodies" segment is under :20.
"The Ruins of Mauripol"
"The Ruins of Mauripol" is a three-movement string quartet by Vancouver, Washington composer Daniel
Truschov. Gallagher recorded the premiere performance of this work, and interviewed Truschov for an
introduction. Recorded in 2024 by Marty Gallagher with permission from Daniel Truschov. Musical
accompaniment and other permissions given by Martin J. Gallagher.
"Gloria"
Gallagher also samples from "Gloria" composed by Francis Poulenc, performed by Vancouver Master Choral,
singers from the Portland Gay Men's Choir and Vancouver High School Choirs, and an orchestra of various
musicians from southwest Washington, directed by Jana Hart. Recorded by Martin J. Gallagher who grants
permission for its use.
Credits
Written and Produced by Martin J. Gallagher
Sound Design and Music Composition by Martin J. Gallagher
Post Production by Marc Rose
Promotional Graphics by Holly Slocum with Evan Leyden
Social Media Stratgies by Caitlyn Kruger
Announcing and YouTube Strategies by Rylan Eisenhauer
Produced and Hosted by John F. Barber
Significance
In its explorations of sound-based storytelling, Re-Imagined Radio focuses on three elements: dialogue, sound effects, and music. This episode, "Waters and Ruins," highlights music for powerful storytelling.
The music used in this episode was created by two Vancouver, Washington, composers, Martin J. Gallagher and Daniel Truschov.
A third musical content samples from "Gloria" composed by Francis Poulenc, performed by Vancouver Master Choral, singers from the Portland Gay Men's Choir and Vancouver High School Choirs, and an orchestra of various musicians from southwest Washington, directed by Jana Hart. Recorded by Martin J. Gallagher.
Producer's Notes
Marty approached me with the idea for this episode. I agreed that it would be interesting and provide a different focus for radio storytelling by highlighting the use of music.
The episode turned out a success, I believe. Many thanks to Marty for his time and effort with this one.
— John F. Barber
Comments
I just wanted to express my gratitude for featuring my string quartet "Ruins of Mariupol" on the show. It
means a lot that you help support local music and shed light on new works.
— Daniel Truschov
Promotion
Press
Graphics
