Relevant Tones

We celebrate a string of palindromic dates - 1/20/21 to 1/29/21 - with music written in palindromic form.  Music by Martha Horst, Ben Johnston, Frank J. Oteri, Andrew Norman, Ted Hearne, Joseph Schwantner and Bela Bartok.

We take a break from our chaotic world to listen to music from composers inspired by utopian visions from Ursula K. LeGuin, Thomas More, Plato, HG Wells, John Milton and Greek myth.

Two exciting commissioning projects were a bright spot during this very dark year. They are Thomas Piercy's Moments in this Time and Los Angeles-based piano duo Hocket's #What2020SoundsLike.  For each project composers were asked to write short pieces that represent an incredible array of styles and mental states as we all navigate this difficult time.  We talk with the performers and fe...

The symphonies of Gloria Coates have been hailed as "the spirit of an expressionistic-apocalyptic-mystical world view" by German musicologist Ludwig Finscher.  Over sixteen symphonies, Coates has created an indelible, absolutely unique and highly personal sound world.  We talk with her and feature movements from symphonies 1, 4, 7 and 14. 

Begun by composer Stephen Lias in 2012 Composing in the Wilderness is a "shared wilderness experience for adventurous composers at all levels." 

Participants spend two weeks in the wilds of Alaska drawing from that inspiration to write a new piece that will be performed at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival.  Applications for 2021 close on November 1st, 2020. Apply at composinginthewildernes...

Clarice Assad is a highly acclaimed composer, pianist, singer and arranger renowned for her musical scope and versatility.  A prolific Grammy nominated composer, Clarice Assad’s numerous commissions include works for Carnegie Hall, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Orquestra Sinfônica de São Paulo, Chicago Sinfonietta, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, the Boston Youth Orchestra, the Bra...

There are a variety of reasons that people decide to leave home for good and settle in another country. But according to the U.S. State Department there has been a veritable  exodus lately with a 47% spike in expatriation in 2019 over 2014. We talk with four composers living abroad about their lives and music. MUSIC Studies for Player Piano: Prelude by Conlon Nancarrow A Winter Sketchbook, mv...

This is a pivotal moment for Hong Kong as it fights for political autonomy and searches for a national identity. Hong Kong has long been a global hub for artists and musicians but the future is uncertain.  We talk with Antony Dapiran, author of City on Fire: the Fight for Hong Kong, about the protest movement and William Lane, the founder of the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble, and we feature th...

The great Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges has had an enormous influence on artists, writers, philosophers and thinkers of all kinds and composers are no exception.  We spoke with renowned Borges scholar Daniel Balderston about the incredible legacy of one of the most influential writers of all time, and with composers Carla Kihlstedt, Diego Vega and Gheorghi Arnaoudov about how this lega...

New music releases have slowed to a trickle, it's true, but they haven't stopped entirely! Seth chats with four creative musicians and ensembles who have recently released wildly inventive new music including saxophone quartet Nois, Third Coast Percussion, Sunny Knable and Amy Wurtz. Features music by Nikki Harlafti, Matthew Arrellin, Ryan Lott, Sunny Knable and Amy Wurtz.

Access Contemporary Music's popular Sound of Silent Film Festival features newly commissioned scores performed live to modern silent films.  2020 marks the 15th anniversary and they're celebrating with two ambitious programs presented virtually.  Seth talks with several of the filmmakers and composers about their inspiration and process and plays selections of the scores.  Find out...

Composers and performers are finding incredibly creative ways to continue connecting and making great music in the midst of a global pandemic. Seth talks with composers Suzanne Farrin, Gene Pritsker, Carlos Simon, Liza Sobel and Greg Bartholomew as well as countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo and American Composers Orchestra's Artistic Director Derek Bermel.  MUSIC Nacht (excerpt) by Suzanne Fa...

Narrative is an important aspect of both music and storytelling.  Seth talks with composers Nathalie Joachim and David T. Little and writer J. Robert Lennon about how they structure their music and stories. We’ll hear music performed by cellist Nicholas Photinos and pianist Yasuko Oura and chat with them about their perspectives on narrative  structure in the works they’re performing. Ai...

Narrative is an important aspect of both music and storytelling.  Seth talks with composers Nathalie Joachim and David T. Little and writer J. Robert Lennon about how they structure their music and stories. We’ll hear music performed by cellist Nicholas Photinos and pianist Yasuko Oura and chat with them about their perspectives on narrative  structure in the works they’re performing. Ai...

According to a recent article in the New Yorker, "astrology is currently enjoying a broad cultural acceptance that hasn’t  been seen since the nineteen-seventies. The shift began with the advent  of the personal computer, accelerated with the Internet, and has reached  new speeds through social media." This live broadcast from Caveat in Manhattan features conversation with celebrity...

According to a recent article in the New Yorker, "astrology is currently enjoying a broad cultural acceptance that hasn’t  been seen since the nineteen-seventies. The shift began with the advent  of the personal computer, accelerated with the Internet, and has reached  new speeds through social media." This live broadcast from Caveat in Manhattan features conversation with celebrity...

Jeremiah Moss’ book, Vanishing New York inspired this live program featuring the music of New York City composers who were an important staple of the ’70’s and ’80’s scene but were taken too soon. We’re honoring Julius Eastman, Arthur Russell, Ben Weber, and Tui St. German Tucker by representing their works and stories. This program took place at the Lincoln Center Atrium and also featured a pre-c...

Rolling Stone declared Nels Cline as one of the 20 “new guitar gods” and one of the top 100 guitarists of all time. He  may be best known as the guitarist of rock band Wilco, but he’s also a  talented composer. Seth sits down with Cline to discuss his  compositional and improvisational style, making the bridge to classical,  and his album Lovers. Hosted by Seth Boustead Produce...

There’s a subsection of contemporary music called ‘Musical  Historicism;’ a genre of music that uses historical elements and revives  them in modern works. From Minimalism to Totalism, Modernism to Post-Modernism to  Neomodernism; we’re taking a look at pieces that influence contemporary  compositions, either to mimic the past or to be the antithesis. Hosted by Seth Boustead Pr...

Over 60 years of composing, Thea Musgrave is a powerful voice that  demand respect around the world. We’re taking a deep-dive into her  massive library and showcasing her eclectic range including chamber,  orchestral, and electronic works. Hosted by Seth Boustead Produced by Dan Goldberg Music Turbulent Landscapes BBC Symphony Orchestra; Osmo Vänskä, conductor Concerto for Orchestra...

During the LA Philharmonic’s 2018/19 season, they commissioned 50 new  works from artists including Louis Andriessen, Unsuk Chin, Philip  Glass, and Steve Reich, just to name a few. Composer and curator of the first of the LA Phil’s new music series,  entitled Green Umbrella, Andrew Norman talks about the Southern  Californian composers that he’s presenting. Hosted by Seth Bous...

Virtuosic violinist Jennifer Koh  is known for her commanding performances and technical assurance.   Although she performs Tchaikovsky and Bach she’s interested in finding  the connection between the arts and music of all eras from traditional  to now. Jennifer Koh tells us about some of the 60 works that have been  written especially for her including a new work by...

We live in a charged political environment and though music is often  seen as an escape, many composers have chosen to use their work to make a  statement. From Ted Hearne’s The Source , based on the story of Chelsea  Manning, the US Army Private who infamously leaked classified military  documents to WikiLeaks in 2010 to David T. Little’s operas about modern  warfare to B...

We’re opening our doors to Nick  Photinos, David Schrader, and other  Thirsty Ears Street Festival  performers for a preview concert. The  third annual festival kicks off on  Saturday, August 11 and ends on  Sunday, August 12. You can visit  the festival at Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood; the two  day event will feature fifteen stellar e...

Grammy-winning composer, pianist and conductor, Joan Tower, has been  said to be “one of the most successful women composers of all time” by  The New Yorker. This year she’s celebrating her 80th birthday and we're celebrating by talking with her about her most memorable works and stories. The Grammy-award  winning Made in America made the cut and you’ll be surprised by Joan’s i...