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Miles Hoffman Miles Hoffman is a music commentator on Morning Edition.
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Miles Hoffman

Music Interviews

Celebrating the Music, and Humanity, of Beethoven

Musician and writer Miles Hoffman says the great composer, born 234 years ago this week in Bonn, Germany, is still revered for his forceful music — and admired for writing a share of it after losing his hearing.

Celebrating the Music, and Humanity, of Beethoven

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Music News

Classical Composers and Their Clunkers

NPR's Renee Montagne talks to music commentator Miles Hoffman about classical music "turkeys." Even the best composers had their failures. Brahms was known to burn the pieces he didn't like, and the critics weren't always kind to the darlings of their day.

Classical Composers and Their Clunkers

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Music

Celebrating Jewish Music in America

September marks the 350th anniversary of the first Jewish settlement in America. Music commentator Miles Hoffman says one way to celebrate is to listen to a new collection from the Milken Archive of American Jewish Music.

Celebrating Jewish Music in America

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Opinion

Hits Keep Coming at the Softball Game

Commentator Miles Hoffman has played in a regular softball game for years, and he estimates the average age of his fellow competitors at around 55. They still make some good plays, but it's the laughs that Hoffman relishes.

Hits Keep Coming at the Softball Game

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Opinion

Arts & Life

The Sweet Sound of a Stradivarius

Music commentator Miles Hoffman, a nationally renowned violist, and NPR's Steve Inskeep visit the Library of Congress' small, priceless collection of Stradivarius instruments. Hoffman plays some of the rarest instruments in the collection, including a violin called the "Betts," crafted in 1704 by Antonio Stradivari.

The Sweet Sound of a Stradivarius

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Arts & Life

Carroll Music Company Warehouse: A Feast for the Ear

Carroll Musical Instrument Rentals is a a huge warehouse in New York City that rents all types of exotic bells, whistles, and acoustic effects to orchestras, movie studios and musicals across the country. Hear commentator Miles Hoffman and NPR's Bob Edwards as they take an audio tour of the warehouse.

Carroll Music Company Warehouse: A Feast for the Ear

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Music Interviews

Irish Tenor John McCormack, Revisited

John McCormack was one of the greatest, most versatile singers of the last century. Not only did the Irish tenor sing famous folk songs like "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," he also was a much-admired opera singer. Commentator Miles Hoffman and NPR's Bob Edwards offer a special St. Patrick's Day retrospective of McCormack's career. Hear samples of Irish folk songs performed by McCormack.

Irish Tenor John McCormack, Revisited

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Playing to Win: Politics and Auditions

All the world's a stage, and nowhere is that more true than politics. But music commentator Miles Hoffman says that in some ways the competition for a spot on an orchestra can be just as intense as a run for the White House. Hoffman and NPR's Bob Edwards discuss the similarities -- and the differences.

Playing to Win: Politics and Auditions

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Music News

The Past and Future of Musical Overtures

To get the new year off to a good musical start, NPR's Bob Edwards talks with commentator Miles Hoffman about overtures. There once was a time when you couldn't start an opera or a ballet without one. But some overtures, such as the "William Tell," have much more staying power than these longer musical works.

The Past and Future of Musical Overtures

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Arts & Life

The Celesta: The Sound of the Sugar Plum Fairy

The celesta, an instrument invented in 1896, gets its name for its "celestial," tinkling sound. It provides the distinctive music that accompanies the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. NPR's Bob Edwards discusses the instrument with Morning Edition music commentator Miles Hoffman, and Lambert Orkis of the National Symphony plays some celesta riffs.

The Celesta: The Sound of the Sugar Plum Fairy

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Music Interviews

The Vladimir Horowitz Centennial

Vladimir Horowitz, born 100 years ago today, was considered by music critics to be the greatest pianist of his time. Like magic, his fingers would fly over the keys, leaving audiences awestruck. On Morning Edition, music commentator Miles Hoffman talks with NPR's Bob Edwards about what made Horowitz such a great musician.

The Vladimir Horowitz Centennial

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Music

Immigrant Composers

Host Bob Edwards talks with Morning Edition music commentator Miles Hoffman about some of the great classical composers who immigrated to America during the last century. Miles plays some unusual musical excerpts, including Stravinsky's arrangement of "The Star Spangled Banner," and a piece of 1940s film music that sounds like the inspiration for the Star Wars theme.

Immigrant Composers

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Arts & Life

Moravian Music

Host Bob Edwards talks with music commentator Miles Hoffman about the history and beauty of Moravian church music, which was first played in America during colonial times. A Moravian music festival is now under way in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. {Music played in the segment:

Most of the music in this piece, including the introductory music and the ending music, comes from Lost Music of Early America - Music of the Moravians. Boston Baroque, Martin Pearlman, director (Telarc CD-80482)

The lively cut of the wind ensemble (which Bob describes as "very festive") is from David Moritz Michael: Parthien 10-14 Pacific Classical Winds (New World Records 80580-2)

The cut of the Civil War Moravian band is from A Storm in the Land Music of the 26th N.C. Regimental Band, CSA. The American Brass Quintet Brass Band. (New World Records, 80608-2)

Moravian Music

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Music News

'Pomp and Circumstance'

It's hard to imagine a graduation ceremony without Pomp and Circumstance. Music commentator Miles Hoffman stops by Morning Edition to explore the famous processional, which was by Sir Edward Elgar (left), and other marches of the season.

'Pomp and Circumstance'

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