Bright Blue Music

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Michael Torke (born in 1961) writes bold, energetic music with broad brush strokes — reflected in the many color-themed titles of his works for orchestra. Tonight, it's Torke's "Bright Blue Music," brought to life by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under conductor David Zinman.

The Many Moons of Beethoven

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Beethoven's "Moonlight" sonata has been recorded so many times, we found it hard to choose just one for our 32 Sonatas in 32 Days feature. So, we hear it twice tonight. And some other moon music as well.

The Imani Winds

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

For ten years now, the ensemble known as Imani Winds has been enriching the traditional wind quintet repertoire with European, American, African and Latin American traditions. We hear a selection from their album The Classical Underground.

The Many Rites of Spring

Monday, November 26, 2007

Culture critic John Rockwell explores the many different choreographic responses to Igor Stravinsky's monumental (and scandalous) "Rite of Spring." Also, music by Greg Pliska, Bright Sheng, and David Diamond.

Ear to Ear: Hiroya Miura

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Since moving to the United States from his native Japan, Hiroya Miura has found success as a composer, conductor and performer. A 2005 Graduate of Columbia University, Miura is also a founding member of the electronic improvisation unit, NoOneReceiving.

Alfonso the Wise

Friday, November 23, 2007

One of the great musical patrons of Medieval times, Alfonso X (a.k.a. "The Wise") brought Jewish, Islamic and Christian scholars, scientists and artists together in his court — creating a 13th-century cultural "think tank" that has remained unrivaled since.

Handel's "Belshazzar" from St. Ignatius Loyola

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Conductor Kent Tritle leads the Choir and Orchestra of St. Ignatius Loyola in a performance of George Frideric Handel's spectacular oratorio "Belshazzar," with special commentary by the conductor. Written in 1745, "Belshazzar" stands along "Messiah" as one of Handel's great Biblical oratorios. The story comes from the book of Daniel, which recounts the fall of Babylon at the hands of the Persian prince Cyrus — thus bringing Belshazzar's tyrannical oppression of the Jews to an end.

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Program notes

The Harlem Quartet

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Comfortable with programming Mozart alongside Marsalis, The Harlem Quartet advances diversity in classical music to engage young and new audiences, with an emphasis on works by minority composers.

A Song for America

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Travel agent by day, composer by night, Stephen Perillo turns each of his works into a tour of musical styles and cultures. We hear his anthem "Song for America" — which, despite the title, is laced with Russian influences.

Circuses, Rock Operas, and O'Riley

Monday, November 19, 2007

Culture critic John Rockwell weighs in on circuses and rock operas. Also, pianist (and radio host) Christopher O'Riley channels Radiohead.

Ear to Ear: Milica Paranosic

Saturday, November 17, 2007

A Belgrade born composer/performer living in New York, Milica Paranosic specializes in "extended music" — the use of technology to enhance and inform her (often unpredictable) performances.

The Strange Dreams of John Adams

Friday, November 16, 2007

Artists often turn to dreams for inspiration. Composer John Adams based his 1985 work "Harmonielehre" on a vision of a flying oil tanker — and his daughter riding through space on the shoulders of a 14th century German mystic.

South African Sax

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Born in America, William Haubrich moved to South Africa in 1982, where he quickly established himself as a composer and trombonist. Haubrich's work is heavily influenced by jazz and the music of Africa, as evidenced by our featured work, the "Afrisax" Suite.

Live From Carnegie Hall: The Berlin Philharmonic

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Sir Simon Rattle leads the Berlin Philharmonic in a live concert broadcast from Carnegie Hall, featuring music by Thomas Adés and Gustav Mahler.

"Berlin Without Walls" is supported, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

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Sadiq's Berlin, Part Two

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Since moving to Berlin a few years ago, Sadiq Bey has seen his career take off in a big way. The poet gives us a glimpse of the city's famous and ever-changing nightlife, with a visit to the Yellow Lounge.

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Sadiq's Berlin

Monday, November 12, 2007

Sadiq Bey is a poet and musician. Three years ago he moved from New York City to Berlin, where his career exploded. He published two books of poetry and is now recording a CD with a renowned opera singer and other world-class musicians.

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Berlin Octet

Sunday, November 11, 2007

The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra has provided the players for many chamber ensembles. Tonight we hear the Berlin Philharmonic Octet, which specializes in German romantic music — but also takes on later composers such as Paul Hindemith (whom we hear tonight).

Berlin Cabaret: Patricia Racette

Saturday, November 10, 2007

WNYC presents this broadcast of opera star Patricia Racette's program of Berlin cabaret music at Neue Galerie's Café Sabarsky.

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Ute's International Cabaret Picks

Friday, November 09, 2007

On her last day as guest host for Evening Music, Ute Lemper provides a round-up of her favorite international cabaret singers. Also, an in-depth look at the Berlin Philharmonic's current music director, Sir Simon Rattle.

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Contemporary Cabaret

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Ute Lemper surveys the great cabaret-inspired contemporary artists whose roots stretch back to Berlin. Also, we trace the roles and legacies of the Berlin Philharmonic's many illustrious conductors throughout the years.

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Weimar Kabarett

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Guest host Ute Lemper takes us on a vintage tour of pre-World War II Berlin cabaret. Also, the extraordinary story of violinist Hellmut Stern, who returned to take up his bow with the Berlin Philharmonic after having fled the country as the Nazis came to power.

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Brecht without Weill

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Guest host Ute Lemper takes a deeper look at the political artistry of Berthold Brecht, with rare audio examples (including his testimony before the HUAC in 1947). Also, what makes the Berlin Philharmonic sound so different from other orchestras? We offer a few possible answers to that question.

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Weill and Brecht

Monday, November 05, 2007

Guest host Ute Lemper examines the songs of Kurt Weill written with poet Berthold Brecht. Also, an in-depth look at the players of the Berlin Philharmonic.

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Herbert von Karajan

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Herbert von Karajan's legacy may be tainted by his association with the Nazi party during WWII, but no one would deny he was a brilliant conductor. We hear examples of his artistry with the ensemble he ruled for 35 years, the Berlin Philharmonic.

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Ear to Ear: Theo Bleckmann

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Theo Bleckmann has been a steady force in New York's jazz and new music scene for over 15 years. The vocalist/composer talks about his most recent release, a collection of Cabaret songs from his native Germany, inspired by American politics and German history.

Kurt Weill

Friday, November 02, 2007

As WNYC launches the Berlin Without Walls festival, we sample music from that quintessential cabaret composer, Kurt Weill, with excerpts from his "Threepenny Opera."

Classical Country Music

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Based in Nashville, Conni Ellisor writes music for the concert stage, but also works regularly with country singers like Allison Krauss, Wynonna Judd, and Martina McBride. We hear one of her classical works, country-style, in the folk-inspired "Blackberry Winter."