Podcast Episodes

Salzburg and Messner

Synopsis

On today’s date in 1877, the Vienna Philharmonic performed for the first time in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, during a three-day music…

2 weeks, 6 days ago

Violinist, conductor and composer Eugene Ysaye

Synopsis

Today we note the birthday of a remarkable composer, conductor and virtuoso violinist: Eugéne Ysaÿe, who was born in Liége, Belgium, on today…

3 weeks ago

Villa-Lobos premieres

Synopsis

For decades, Russian-born American composer, conductor and witty musical lexicographer Nicolas Slonimsky compiled the reference work Music Si…

3 weeks, 1 day ago

Ingram Marshall's 'Dark Waters'

Synopsis

A famous commercial for magnetic recording tape once asked the question: “Is it live — or Memorex” — suggesting it was hard to tell the diffe…

3 weeks, 2 days ago

Mendelssohn sees double

Synopsis

On today’s date in 1829, German composer Felix Mendelssohn was in London, participating in a gala concert to raise funds for the victims of a…

3 weeks, 3 days ago

Bolcom's 'Sonata Stramba'

Synopsis

The Violin Sonata No. 3 by American composer William Bolcom had its premiere on today’s date in 1993 at the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado.…

3 weeks, 4 days ago

MacDowell goes modern

Synopsis

These days, when modern music is on the program, a sizeable chunk of the concert hall audience might start nervously looking for the nearest …

3 weeks, 5 days ago

Elgar lights up?

Synopsis

On today’s date in 1919, British composer Edward Elgar finished a work he labeled jokingly as his Opus 1001 — a 50-second Smoking Cantata, in…

3 weeks, 6 days ago

Diamond and Thompson

Synopsis

Today we note the birth and death anniversaries of two American composers of the 20th century.

On today’s date in 1915, American composer Davi…

4 weeks ago

Louis Ballard

Synopsis

Today’s date in 1931 marks the birthday of the first notable Native American composer of concert music. His name was Louis Ballard, and he wa…

4 weeks, 1 day ago