Grieg's Piano Concerto, a Classical Workhorse February 24, 2005 When he was a child, music critic Tom Manoff heard the music of Edvard Grieg, particularly his piano concerto in A-minor. This piece of music is known as a workhorse. In pop music, it would be referred to as a "greatest hit." Tom Manoff talks about the status of the warhorse in classical music and we hear Grieg's piano concerto performed here by Leif Ove Andsnes. Grieg's Piano Concerto, a Classical Workhorse Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4512250/4512251" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Grieg's Piano Concerto, a Classical Workhorse Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4512250/4512251" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
M. Ward Rounds Up Diverse Influences on New Album February 23, 2005 Matthew Ward grew up in a home filled with music. The singer and songwriter, who performs under the name M. Ward, remembers hearing a wide range of tunes including Louis Armstrong's version of "Hello Dolly," the Carter Family's spirituals and the Doors. Our reviewer says Ward's new album, Transistor Radio, attempts to capture that diversity. M. Ward Rounds Up Diverse Influences on New Album Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4510551/4510552" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
M. Ward Rounds Up Diverse Influences on New Album Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4510551/4510552" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Devotchka: 'How It Ends' February 17, 2005 The musical quartet Devotchka uses upright bass, glockenspiel, tuba, accordian, trumpet and theramin in an exotic mix of South American rhythms, Eastern European gypsy melodies and North American folk music. Mikel Jollett of Filter magazine reviews the CD How It Ends. Devotchka: 'How It Ends' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4503539/4503540" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Everything '80s Is New Again for Global Musicians February 16, 2005 In pop culture, everything old gets recycled — and it's not just an American phenomenon. Reviewer Chris Nickson looks at a recent vogue among global artists for '80s cover tunes. Everything '80s Is New Again for Global Musicians Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4502339/4502340" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Culture Rock: From Blur to 'Happiness' Fresh Air February 16, 2005 Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new solo effort Happiness in Magazines, from Graham Coxon who was the lead guitarist for the British band Blur. Rock: From Blur to 'Happiness' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4501568/4501569" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Music Interviews Israeli Pop Star Mines Ethiopian Folk Music February 16, 2005 Israeli musician Idan Raichel won his country's song of the year honors with a piece that mixed pop and ethnic Ethiopian music. Raichel has helped introduce the music of Israel's immigrant Ethiopian community to a wider audience and is just finishing his U.S. tour. Israeli Pop Star Mines Ethiopian Folk Music Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4501255/4501256" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Israeli Pop Star Mines Ethiopian Folk Music Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4501255/4501256" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Composer Jan Garbarek's 'In Praise of Dreams' February 15, 2005 Norwegian composer Jan Garbarek blends jazz, atmospheric ambient music and European folk traditions, making his music tough to classify. Critic Jim Fusilli says that on his latest CD, In Praise of Dreams, Garbarek heads even further into the ether. Composer Jan Garbarek's 'In Praise of Dreams' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4500654/4500655" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Composer Jan Garbarek's 'In Praise of Dreams' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4500654/4500655" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
The Hilliard Ensemble's Machaut Motets February 14, 2005 Musician and Day to Day contributor David Was reviews a new recording of motets by the 14th-century composer Machaut. Was finds some very modern elements in the music, performed by the Grammy-nominated Hilliard Ensemble. The Hilliard Ensemble's Machaut Motets Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4498403/4498404" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Composer Pierre Boulez: New Recordings Fresh Air February 14, 2005 French composer and conductor Pierre Boulez. He turns 80 years old next month. In celebration of his birthday next month, the record label Deutsche Grammophon is issuing five new recordings of Boulez's work. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz has a review. Composer Pierre Boulez: New Recordings Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4498368/4498369" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Composer Pierre Boulez: New Recordings Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4498368/4498369" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Culture Low's 'The Great Destroyer' February 10, 2005 The Duluth, Minn., trio called Low are known for slow, quiet songs. But on their new album, The Great Destroyer, the band sets a different course. Low's 'The Great Destroyer' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4494232/4494233" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Low's 'The Great Destroyer' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4494232/4494233" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Brian Eno's Music, Reissued Fresh Air February 9, 2005 Eight records by Brian Eno from the 1970s and '80s have been reissued. Critic Milo Miles has a review. Brian Eno's Music, Reissued Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4492288/4492289" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Perfect for Mardi Gras: 'Big Ol' Box of New Orleans' February 8, 2005 Just in time for Fat Tuesday, critic Michelle Mercer has a review of the four-CD set Big Ol' Box of New Orleans. It features a number of different musical styles popular in the Big Easy throughout the years. Perfect for Mardi Gras: 'Big Ol' Box of New Orleans' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4491190/4491191" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Perfect for Mardi Gras: 'Big Ol' Box of New Orleans' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4491190/4491191" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Lloyd Schwartz: Callas on CD, and DVD Fresh Air February 1, 2005 Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews The Callas Conversations on DVD and Maria Callas: Legend, a CD and DVD. Lloyd Schwartz: Callas on CD, and DVD Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4473686/4473687" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Lloyd Schwartz: Callas on CD, and DVD Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4473686/4473687" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Rock critic Ken Tucker: Legend's 'Get Lifted' Fresh Air January 27, 2005 Get Lifted is the first solo album by R&B singer and piano player John Legend, who made his name playing with star producer Kanye West. Rock critic Ken Tucker has a review. Rock critic Ken Tucker: Legend's 'Get Lifted' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4468242/4468243" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Rock critic Ken Tucker: Legend's 'Get Lifted' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4468242/4468243" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Classical Music: Duelling Handel Arias Fresh Air January 26, 2005 Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two new albums of Handel arias by opera singers Renee Fleming and Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (on the Universal and Avie labels). Classical Music: Duelling Handel Arias Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4466666/4466667" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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