The Composer Interview In-depth conversations with renowned classical composers by NPR Music's Tom Huizenga

Special Series

The Composer Interview

In-depth conversations with renowned classical composers by NPR Music's Tom Huizenga

Monday October 7, 2024

Gabriela Ortiz is occupying the Composer's Chair at Carnegie Hall this season. Marta Arteaga hide caption

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Marta Arteaga

The borderless music of Gabriela Ortiz

October 7, 2024 • At last, the ambitious composer finds herself in the spotlight, with a Carnegie Hall residency and a sparkling new album featuring Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Thursday August 1, 2024

Meredith Monk, in her signature pigtails, remains vigorously curious and still performs in her own works at age 81.

Now in her 80s, the New York interdisciplinary artist Meredith Monk remains best known for her extended vocal technique, a concept she found her way to in the 1960s. Christine Alicino hide caption

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Christine Alicino

'The voice is my river': Meredith Monk reflects on 6 decades of music-making

August 1, 2024 • The revered interdisciplinary artist, now in her 80s, remains vigorous and regards the joy of curiosity as the key to staying young.

Wednesday March 27, 2024

Composer Anna Clyne — one of the most performed living composers — embraces melody in her music as a vehicle to connect with listeners. Christina Kernohan/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Christina Kernohan/Courtesy of the artist

Composer Anna Clyne, a radical melodist with a painter's eye

March 27, 2024 • One of the most performed living composers unpacks the power of melody in her music, her unconventional path to success and how visual art guides her process.

Tuesday August 8, 2023

American composer Joan Tower, about to turn 85, is still busy fielding commissions and writing music. Lauren Lancaster hide caption

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Lauren Lancaster

Composer Joan Tower is finally going easy on herself

August 8, 2023 • With plenty of humor, the octogenarian talks about her far-reaching career — including why she fled the modernist school of composers — and some mysterious visitations from her dead heroes.

Thursday January 26, 2023

Missy Mazzoli's next opera, Lincoln in the Bardo, was commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera and is slated for a 2025 production. Caroline Tompkins/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Caroline Tompkins/Courtesy of the artist

For Missy Mazzoli, composing is the hard work of making life easier

January 26, 2023 • The composer of Breaking the Waves speaks candidly about equity in her field, the importance of role models and the unglamorous side of writing music every day.

Friday December 2, 2022

Tania Léon conducts the Youth Orchestra LA in the premiere of her work Pa'lante at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Craig Matthew/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Craig Matthew/Courtesy of the artist

The unplanned, unstoppable career of composer Tania León

December 2, 2022 • Failure was not an option when Léon arrived in New York, a determined 24-year-old pianist from Cuba. At nearly 80, she says some things haven't changed.

Thursday April 28, 2022

Jessie Montgomery's new work Hymn for Everyone receives its world premiere with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on April 28. Jiyang Chen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jiyang Chen/Courtesy of the artist

Can classical music really be inclusive? Composer Jessie Montgomery thinks so

April 28, 2022 • With orchestras clamoring for her work, the rising artist feels a responsibility and opportunity to help reframe classical music and the institutions that present it.