Waters and Ruins
Season 13, Episode 04
April 21, 2025
Two sound-based stories by Martin J. Gallagher
Re-Imagined Radio samples two stories by Martin J. Gallagher, an independent composer and sound designer based in Portland, Oregon. Both stories are framed by music. "And the Waters Were Music" tells of Gallagher's 1998 visit to China with his wife Rose. He remembers how water and music were a part of his experience. "And the Ruins Became a Prayer," tells of learning about the war in Ukraine. In the story, Gallagher honors Ukrainian classical composer Valentin Silvestrov by recording a premiere performance of a three-movement string quartet, "Ruins of Mariupol," by Vancouver, Washington composer Daniel Truschov. From our Guest Producer series. Thank you for listening.
Download 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."
Production
Credits
Written and Produced by Martin J. Gallagher
Sound Design, Music, and Post Production by Marc Rose
Promotional Graphics by Holly Slocum with Evan Leyden
Social Media by Rylan Eisenhauer
Produced and Hosted by John F. Barber
Contents
"And the Waters Were Music"
Gallagher's story of visiting China with his wife Rose in 1998. Music by Martin J. Gallagher.
"We climbed the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. It is said to be not as crowded as the Badaling section, which is closer to Beijing. There seemed plenty of crowd to me."
"We wandered through many gardens in Beijing and Suzhou. Gardens I later learned had existed for centuries. Each one gave me an appreciation for how water is used in Chinese gardens. It's all about the reflection, and sometimes what I heard."
"I remember visiting Beijing and walking through Tienanmen Square, then entering the Forbidden City through the great arches that divide those two."
"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.
Chinese Students recorded with permission in 1998 by Suzhou Children's Palace. "Hungarian Rhapsodies" segment is under :20.
"Gloria"
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.
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
Significance
Martin J. Gallagher shares two sound-based stories framed by music, showcasing his decades of work as a sound designer and composer.
Producer's Notes
***
Promotion
Press
Special thanks to Maureen Keller, Syliva Lindman, and Brenda Alling for promoting this episode of
Re-Imagined Radio.
READ
their Press Release
Graphics
Looking for other graphic sizes to promote this episode?