How Musicians went from Servants to Stars
Monday, January 12, 2009
Cambridge University historian Tim Blanning explores the rise of music and musicians in the West from lowly balladeers to masters employed by fickle patrons, to the great composers of genius, to today’s rock stars. He joins us today. Also: Musical chameleon Bonnie "Prince" Billy performs live in our studio.
Guests:
Bonnie "Prince" BillyThe Social History of Musicians in the West
In his book The Triumph of Music, Cambridge University historian Tim Blanning explains how less than three centuries ago, musicians and composers were like servants with relatively little social status; Mozart was seated with the valets and cooks at dinner. Today’s pop stars have climbed to the top of society’s ...
Bonnie "Prince" Billy Returns
Will Oldham has used various disguises during his 15-year career, recording under the names Palace, Palace Music, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, and yes even “Will Oldham.” The indie-folk songwriter and occasional actor (“Old Joy”) joins us for a sneak preview of his forthcoming Bonnie "Prince" Billy album, “Beware.”
The Last Player Piano Roll
Until recently, QRS Music Technologies was the only continuously operating mass producer of piano rolls in the world. Mark Sommer of the Buffalo News joins us to talk about the end of an era.
Has the place of composers, songwriters, and singers changed?
In Mozart’s day, his place at the banquet table was between the valet and the cook – because while Mozart may have been a composer of singular genius, he was also essentially a servant, part of the household staff of the Archbishop of Salzburg. Author Tim Blanning, in his book ...
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