Actor Charles Boyer had a continental flavor that went over big in the U.S. Ten of his most engaging films will be screened in New York this month. Sara Fishko asks why... in this edition of the Fishko Files.

To learn more about Hollywood's studio system of the 1930s, 40s ...

Today marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of one of the masters of American music, Thelonious Monk. Monk, who died in 1982, left numerous recordings in his inimitable piano style; and broke new ground with visionary compositions such as "Brilliant Corners" and "Round Midnight." As Sara Fishko tells us ...

Singer Bea Wain will celebrate her 90th birthday at the end of this month. As WNYC’s Sara Fishko tells us in this edition of the Fishko Files, Wain’s voice took her far...and introduced her to other voices she remembers well...

Listen to Sing Sing Sing, ...

It’s been said that CRITICS become critics because they’re unfit to be anything else. As WNYC’s Sara Fishko tells us, that’s not necessarily the case. This edition of the Fishko Files looks at Harris Goldsmith’s double life.

Buy Harris Goldsmith Plays Beethoven at amazon.com

One of Mexico's esteemed composers has never lost favor in his own country, but for generations he was unknown everywhere else. Even now, Sara Fishko tells us, he's not exactly a household name.

American Composer William Bolcom's compositions are widely performed and recorded; he's written music of every type, comfortably mixing styles and genres. As WNYC's Sara Fishko tells us, Bolcom was, and is, a careful, passionate music-listner as well, and what he listens to tells us a lot about the history of ...

In mid-November, the music of the Cuban-born composer Tania Leon will be featured at The Gatehouse at Harlem Stage. Leon’s music sounds contemporary, but draws on her Afro-Cuban roots. To her, there’s nothing really new in anyone’s music; there are only new ways of using old musical ingredients. WNYC’s Sara ...

Film is a visual medium, but the words that inspire the pictures are critical. The screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky died 25 years ago, but people still remember his films, vividly; and what they tend to remember...are the words. Here is the next Fishko Files...

"Marty", "Network" and many ...

Starting tonight and continuing through the next two weekends, the annual Bard Music Festival considers and performs the music of Franz Liszt. As WNYC's Sara Fishko tells us, Liszt's music is only PART of the Liszt story. Here is the next Fishko Files...

Movie director Billy Wilder would have been 100 this summer, and the resulting Wilder screenings and festivals are making it possible to see both the big hits, and some of his lesser-known films. WNYC’s Sara Fishko has more, in this edition of The Fishko Files....

Pianist Henry Butler is coming to Manhattan to perform next week. The musician was trained and influenced by some of the great Crescent City players. Sara Fishko has an appreciation in this edition of the Fishko Files.

In May it will be twenty-five years since Hugo Friedhofer died. He was one of America’s most interesting composers, and his death was roundly ignored. Sara Fishko thinks its about time somebody remembered the life and work of the Academy Award- winning movie composer. So...here is the next Fishko Files.

They say that behind every great composer is a great...cataloguer! That was certainly true in Mozart’s case. As WNYC’s Sara Fishko tells us, it was much harder to appreciate Mozart before Mr. "K" came along.

Today in New York, the Conference of Jazz Educators hosts the NEA "Jazz Masters" Awards. One of the recipients is a man in his 90’s, Sara Fishko tells us, and his contribution to the field is vast. Musician-turned-manager John Levy is the subject of the this edition of the Fishko ...

To produce art, talent is necessary - but confidence and peace-of-mind are major components as well. Sara Fishko talked to one pianist who's been traveling a long road toward peace in the practice of her art. Here is the next Fishko Files...
Sara Davis Buechner's website

A new book just out, "Chaplin and Agee," details the lifelong fascination—and later friendship—of a great writer with a great filmmaker. James Agee died 50 years ago this week, and as Sara Fishko tells us in this edition of the Fishko Files, Agee always marveled at what could happen on ...

Keith Jarrett’s new CD, "Radiance," hit record stores on Tuesday – it’s his first solo concert recording since the middle of the 90’s, when illness got in his way. Jarrett talked with Sara Fishko about his process this time around...for this edition of the Fishko Files.

The Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter was one of the greatest performers of the 20th century. He would have been 90 this week, and in this edition of The Fishko Files, Sara Fishko looks at this fiery phenomenon, and his effect on a generation of music-lovers...

Henry Butler is sometimes called "The Pride of New Orleans." His spectacular piano playing drew Sara Fishko to his home town, where she talked with him about his singular style...

The New York Philharmonic is playing special concerts next week to honor its first violinist, Glenn Dicterow. He has been sitting in that first chair for longer than anyone in the orchestra's long history. As Sara Fishko tells us in this edition of the Fishko Files, his job requires a ...