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A Day in the Life

"A Day in the Life" is a daily history segment about music and the ideas it inspires. This segment is part of Critical Karaoke, a KRCC affiliated radio show run by Prof Ryan Bañagale and Prof Steven Hayward, featuring a wide range of guest contributors.
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Now displaying: 2016

"A Day in the Life" is a 2-minute podcast about music, history, culture, and ideas.  We release at least one new episode every weekday on an incredible range of genres and artists.  We hope you enjoy these quick listens!

Oct 31, 2016

Today is Halloween! On today's "A Day in the Life" we explore the history of Halloween and the music associated with the holiday from the Monster Mash to Werewolves of London.

Oct 28, 2016

Today is the birthday of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who found himself in the midst of a musical hoax in 2015.  How much did Gates reportedly offer to pay hip hop artist Young Thug to never again make music?  And how did Young Thug respond?  Find out on today's episode of "A Day in the Life." 

Oct 28, 2016

Today in 1925, the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress witnessed its inaugural concert. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life" learn more about the woman who made the venue possible, Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge - a pianist, composer, and ardent promoter of chamber music.

Oct 27, 2016

It was on this day in 2013 that American musician Lou Reed died. On today's "A Day in the Life" we explore the path that Reed took to become one of the 20th century's most iconic figures in music.

Oct 27, 2016

Today in 1917, violinist Jascha Heifetz had his Carnegie Hall Debut--he was only 16 years old at the time.  What made his playing so dynamically engaging?  And what Bing Crosby song did he compose?  Find out on today's "A Classical Day in the Life."

Oct 26, 2016

Today in 1973, jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock released the album Head Hunters, featuring a funky updated version of his song "Watermelon Man."  The tune would go on to be recorded, covered, and sampled by hundreds of future musicians.  Find out more on today's "A Day in the Life."

Oct 25, 2016

It was on this day in 1975 that novelist Zadie Smith was born in London, England. On today's "A Day in the Life" learn how Smith compares the act of reading literature to an amateur pianist playing a piece of unfamiliar music.

Oct 24, 2016

Today, in 1969 the Paul Newman and Robert Redford film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was released in the United States. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we explore Burt Bacharach's Academy Award winning soundtrack to the film.

Oct 24, 2016

Today in 2006, a sixteen-year-old Taylor Swift released her self-titled, debut album. On today's "A Day in the Life", we explore the beginnings of the rise of Swift.

Oct 21, 2016

It was on this day in 1992 that the fastest selling coffee table book of all time - "Sex" by Madonna, was published. On today's "A Day in the Life" we explore the shocking aspects of the book and Madonna's album "Erotica" that was released a day later.

Oct 21, 2016

Today is the birthday of conductor Georg Solti, born in Hungary in 1912.  In addition to his work as a conductor with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, today's Classical Day in the Life explores his work as an accompanist as well as a commissioner of modern music.  

Oct 20, 2016

It was on this day in 1955 that Sam Phillips of Sun Records began negotiations with Colonel Tom Parker to sell the contract of an up and coming singer named Elvis Presley.  On today's "A Day in the Life", we learn the details of the transaction.

Oct 20, 2016

Toady in 1955, film composer Thomas Newman was born.  Part of an illustrious family of movie music, his contemplative, continually unfolding music appears in "Scent of a Woman," "American Beauty," "Wall-E" and perhaps most memorably, "The Shawshank Redemption."  Find out more on today's "A Day in the Life."

Oct 19, 2016

Today in 1845, the soprano Johanna Wagner debuted the part of Elisabeth in Richard Wagner’s Tannhauser in Dresden. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we explore the successful career of Richard Wagner's niece.

Oct 19, 2016

It was on this day in 2015 that citizens of Canada elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, son of former Canadian PM Pierre Trudeau. Today's "A Day in the Life" celebrates the Canadian music used for American and Canadian political campaigns, past and present.  

Oct 18, 2016

Today in 1883, American musician Amy Beach made her concert debut in Boston’s Music Hall. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life" we explore Beach's career as a composer.

Oct 18, 2016

On this day in 1985, the Nintendo Entertainment System was released in North America. The release featured several games, including Super Mario Brothers, whose soundtrack, by Koji Kondo, remains a landmark in video game music. On today's "A Day in the Life" explore the 8-bit soundscape of the 1980's.

Oct 17, 2016

It was on this day in 1888, that Thomas Edison filed a patent for the Optical Phonograph, later known as the kinetoscope. On today's "A Day in the Life", we explore Edison's contributions to the art of audio recording.

Oct 17, 2016

On this day in 1931, notorious gangster Al Capone was sentenced to prison for tax evasion.  Think you know Al Capone? His musical tastes may surprise you. Learn all about it on today's "A Classical Day in the Life".

Oct 14, 2016

On this day in 1911, star soprano Dame Emma Albani gave her farewell concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall.  On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we explore the career of the transatlantic opera star.

Oct 14, 2016

Whose chopper is this?  Today in 1994 the film Pulp Fiction was released in the United States.  It revived acting careers and musical genres alike, including "surf rock."  Today's "A Day in the Life" features music by The Tornadoes, The Lively Ones, and Dick Dale. 

Oct 13, 2016

On this day in 1836, Le Postillon de Lonjumeau — the most celebrated opera by the French composer Adolphe Adam — had its world premiere. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we encounter a comically extreme use of a tenor's "high D" and learn of Adam's nearly universally-known Christmas composition.

Oct 13, 2016

Today is the birthday of Margaret Thatcher, born in 1925, who would become the longest serving British Prime Minster of the 20th Century.  Today we explore how this “Iron Lady,” for better or worse, gave her constituents something to sing about, including Pink Floyd, Morrissey, and Elvis Costello.

Oct 12, 2016

What's the Buzz?  Tell me what's happening!  Today in 1971 Jesus Christ Superstar made its debut on the Broadway stage.  Today's "A Day in the Life" introduces the music for this well-known narrative, with just a touch of musicological inquiry into Andrew Lloyd Webber's time signature choices.

Oct 11, 2016

On this date in 1896, the Black Patti Troubadours performed their first show. The all-black vaudeville troupe toured the United States until 1915. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", learn about the the Troubadours' star headline performer, opera singer Sissieretta Jones.

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