Contemporary Classical Music Podcast
Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Bernard Rands shares his thoughts on his catalogue of over a hundred published works and recordings. From his 1963 premiere at Darmstadt to 1986 Kennedy Center Friedheim Award winning orchestral suites Le Tambourin, to his 2011 Chicago Symphony Orchestra commission, Danza Petrificada and beyond. Hosted by Seth BousteadProduced by Sarah Zwinklis Music Tre Espressioni by Bernard RandsUrsula … Continue reading #234 Bernard Rands
Puerto Rican-born composer and multi-instrumentalist Angélica Negrón writes music for accordions, toys and electronics as well as chamber ensembles and orchestras. Her works Bubblegum Grass Peppermint Field and La Isla Magica are as whimsical as their names suggest. Leap into Negron’s mind and music in the latest installment of our Composers Among Us series. Hosted by Seth BousteadProduced by … Continue reading #230 Angélica Negrón
Cambodian composer Chinary Ung came to the U.S. to study clarinet and composition but was forced to stay when the Khmer Rouge uprising broke out in his home country killing millions. Over the years he has helped many family members and friends escape that regime and has documented his struggles in music. He talks to … Continue reading #217 Chinary Ung
With important commissions from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic among others, and a new and highly praised album release, James Matheson has established a reputation as a composer of finely tuned, individualistic music with wide ranging appeal. We’ll chat with him about his career and play his music. Hosted by Seth … Continue reading #215 James Matheson
Polish composer, concert pianist and educator Zygmunt Krauze is a hugely respected figure on the international contemporary music scene and the recipient of numerous honors including the French National Order of the Legion of Honour among many others. We’ll play selections from his music and talk with him about his storied career. Hosted by Seth BousteadProduced by … Continue reading #200 Zygmunt Krauze
Seth talks with composer Stacy Garrop about the new recording of her Mythology Symphony inspired by Greek myths. Starting with the exhilarating piece Becoming Medusa, which tells the story of Medusa, a beautiful woman turned into a hideous monster, to the quiet sounds of Penelope Waits, the touching tale of a wife waiting for her … Continue reading #194 Stacy Garrop: Mythology Symphony
With recent commissions and performances from the L.A. Philharmonic, Boston Modern Orchestra Project and the New York Philharmonic, in addition to his work with celebrated collective Sleeping Giant, Andrew Norman has emerged as a major figure in today’s classical music world. He stops by the studio to chat with Seth about music, life and everything. Hosted by Seth … Continue reading #189 Andrew Norman
In light of Steven Stucky’s recent and sudden death, we will be featuring works from his impressive repertoire. Stucky had a chameleon -like composing range using influences from Debussy, Schönberg, Lutoslawski, and more. Hosted by Seth BousteadProduced by Sarah Zwinklis
Chinese composer Bright Sheng grew up hearing traditional Chinese music but became fascinated by Western classical music. As a composer, he’s forged a highly successful career blending both sound worlds into a fascinatingly distinctive sonic identity. Bright Sheng: H’un Lacerations (excerpt) New York Chamber Symphony/Gerard Schwartz New World 80407 1:06 Sheng: Dance Capriccio Shanghai Quartet; … Continue reading #175 Bright Sheng
Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Shulamit Ran crafts music of an intimately personal nature, making her one of the most often performed composers of her generation. We’ll talk with Shulamit about her music, the Contempo music series, and her legacy at the University of Chicago, where she was a highly regarded professor for many years. Hosted by … Continue reading #174 Shulamit Ran