Musicians in Their Own Words archive
Listen Samuel Ramey: Bad-Guy Bass Of Opera
May 14, 2009 – The opera star muses on playing the devil and keeping a youthful sound near the end of his career.
Listen Jazz Musician Is No Angel On The Harp
March 22, 2009 – Colombian Edmar Castaneda uses a traditional country instrument to play jazz.
Listen Howard Levy: Reinventing The Harmonica
January 25, 2009 – Levy talks about using the instrument he's loved since he was a teen to break musical boundaries.
Listen Ljova: Giving The Viola A Chance
November 16, 2008 – The versatile composer and arranger lends a new voice to an old-school instrument, the viola.
Listen The Glamorous Life Of Daniel Hope
October 25, 2008 – The famed violinist discusses his musical influences and a few of his most unusual instruments.
Listen Olivier Conan Brings Chicha Music to Brooklyn
June 16, 2008 – The cuatro player and bar owner talks about playing 40-year-old Peruvian music and making it new.
Listen A Musician's Guide to the Pre-Concert Warm-Up
January 12, 2008 – The warm-up rituals of musicians like Yo-Yo Ma and Gillian Welch are as distinct as their own music.
Listen Abdullah Ibrahim Stays Rooted to His Homeland
August 26, 2007 – South African pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim pays tribute to his homeland in his music.
Listen Sara Tavares Mixes Portuguese, African Rhythms
July 6, 2007 – Sara Tavares' music mixes sounds, rhythms and language that stretch from Lisbon to Cape Verde.
Listen Benny Golson: From Jazz to Hollywood and Back
May 3, 2007 – The saxophone player (and Hollywood composer) talks about his role in shaping Art Blakey's band.
Listen Lawrence Brownlee: A Rising Star Arrives at the Met
April 22, 2007 – A young tenor is about to realize a singer's dream — taking the stage at the Metropolitan Opera.
Listen Bo Diddley's Unique Rhythm Continues to Inspire
March 20, 2007 – Bo Diddley's trademark driving rhythm has inspired musicians for decades, from Buddy Holly to U2.
Listen Guiding the N.Y. Philharmonic's 'Inner Voice'
January 15, 2007 – Cynthia Phelps says violas play a "subtle but exciting" role in the texture and feel of the music.
Listen George Clinton, Still Radiating the Funk
November 20, 2006 – The ringleader of Parliament and Funkadelic inspires new generations of musicians and listeners.
Listen Tan Dun's Cultural Evolution
June 15, 2006 – The composer describes his musical coming of age during the time of China's Cultural Revolution.