DESCRIPTION:
Sally Doherty's composition from the soundtrack to BBC's documentary Empire of Death. Visit her website at: http://www.sallydoherty.com/

"I was asked to compose this music for the BBC documentary, 'Empire of Death'. This intriguing project looked at archaeological discoveries made in the 1930s in a region of the Sudan called Nubia. They found pyramids and the remains of a mighty black African empire, with kings who once rivalled the pharaohs of Egypt.

They also discovered evidence of a bizarre death culture. Enormous tombs were found where the king's body would have been placed, and where the entire royal court would have been buried alive.

I began my compositions by taking inspiration from modes used in North African Arabic music; this was an enormous influence. I then aimed to create pieces to reflect the mood of the documentary which was primarily dark and mysterious. The resulting music is quite subtle and haunting."

Sally Doherty: voice, flute, keyboards, programming
Liz Hanks: cello
Lizz Lipscombe: violin
Karen Burland: clarinet
Freya Bailes: oboe
Paula Reavey: cornet