Lara Downes

Composer Carlos Simon grew up in the African American Pentecostal Church, where lively worship services featured singing, dancing, and sometimes speaking in tongues. In this episode, we're highlighting Simon's 'Four Black American Dances'—music inspired by his experiences in the church and community where he was raised.

The Syrian Civil War has devastated more than lives, homes, and communities. With all that has been lost, Syrian-American composer Malek Jandali feels an imperative to preserve and share traditional Syrian music. On today's show, we'll hear a piece full of traditional Syrian styles and themes: Malek Jandali's Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra.

Pianist and composer Stephen Hough took a twenty-year break from composing until a nudge from John Corigliano brought him back to the page. Now, Hough says he’s abandoned the pressure to be perfect, writing "nonstop" for the pure joy of creating. We’ll hear him perform his 2019 Partita on today’s show, recorded live at Spivey Hall in Morrow, Georgia.

In 1824, the cello and double bass were rarely center stage on their own, mostly tasked with holding down a standard, repetitive bass line. Gioachino Rossini defied those expectations and took a risk, giving those two low voices of the string section a starring role in a musical conversation. On today's show, we'll hear cellist Paul Watkins and double bassist Nina Bernat bring that dialogue to life in Gioachino Rossini’s Duet for Cello and Double Bass.

Violinist Bella Hristova and composer David Ludwig were married in 2015. In the months leading up to the wedding, Ludwig wrote a piece for Hristova—not a 2-minute bonbon for the reception, but a full concerto for solo violin and orchestra. On today's episode, we'll hear Bella Hristova play Ludwig's concerto with JoAnn Falletta conducting the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 1924, Maurice Ravel drew on the rhythms and flair of the Hungarian Roma people to create one of the most demanding showcases in the violin repertoire. Written for virtuoso Jelly d’Arányi—who famously mastered the complex score just days before the premiere—the work demands all of the technical skill a violinist can muster. On today's show, Conductor Matthias Pintscher leads the Aspen Chamber Symphony with soloist Blake Pouliot in a recent performance of Maurice Ravel’s Tzigane.

Many of British composer Errollyn Wallen's pieces are connected to dance; before she became one of the most celebrated composers of our time, Wallen trained as a dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. On today's show, we’ll hear the opening movement of her work Photography, a snapshot of a dance inspired by the casual joy of perusing a photo collection. Mei-Ann Chen leads the Houston-based ensemble ROCO at a recent concert in Houston.

On today's show, we'll hear new music by Navajo composer Juantio Becenti. Becenti found a unique parallel between the Navajo creation story and his musical journey. Join us to hear the ensemble A Far Cry perform Becenti's The Glittering World at a concert in Rockport, Massachusetts. Plus, we'll hear the ensemble ROCO perform Errollyn Wallen's musical snapshot of dance at a concert in Houston.

Today, we explore the spiritual and creative ideas behind the music of Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz. We'll hear from Ortiz's "Altar de Cuerda”, music she envisions as an altar—a space to elevate music—where the solo violin floats above the orchestra and the ethereal sound of tuned crystal glasses. Today’s performance features violinist Susie Park and the Minnesota Orchestra, conducted by Paolo Bortolameolli.