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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: Category: a classical day in the life

"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!

Mar 11, 2016

Today in 1791, Franz Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 96 in D major, also known as the "Miracle Symphony", had its premiere at the Hanover Square Rooms in London. Find out what's so miraculous about it on today's "A Classical Day in the Life".

Mar 10, 2016

Today in 1906, Maurice Ravel's "Sonatine" received its first performance. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we learn of the composition's beginnings as a a piece Ravel entered in a contest to win a prize of 100 Francs.

Mar 9, 2016

It was on this day in 1822 that Charles Graham of New York was granted the first US patent for artificial teeth. We seize the momentous anniversary and use it as an excuse to finally explore the world of dentistry via music!

Mar 8, 2016

It was on this day in 1922 that American actor and dancer, Cyd Charisse was born in Amarillo, Texas.  On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we examine the early career of Charisse and we answer the question, "Is that really her singing?"

Mar 7, 2016

On this day in 1915, the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev — then in his mid-20s — made his foreign debut. The concert was in Rome, and Prokofiev performed his Second Piano Concerto.  On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we explore the influence that the man behind the concert, Sergei Diaghilev, had on Prokofiev.

Mar 4, 2016

Today in 1866 a 650-ton, iron-hulled ship named the Libelle ran aground on a reef off the coast of Wake Island, an atoll some 2300 miles west of Hawaii, one of the most isolated land masses on the planet. One of the only reasons we even know about the wreck of the Libelle is because among its passengers was English soprano Anna Bishop, perhaps the most travelled vocalist of the 19th century. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we explore the globe-trotting life and career of Anna Bishop.

Mar 3, 2016

On this day in 1933, Fiorello Henry La Guardia's term as a U.S. Congressman for New York's 20th district came to an end. That end marked a new beginning; later that year, La Guardia won election as mayor of New York — a role in which he served until 1945. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we learn about La Guardia's advocacy for music and we discover which tunes he conducted for the New York Philharmonic.

Mar 1, 2016

It was on this day in 1692 that Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne and Tituba were arrested for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. The arrests heralded the beginning of the famed Salem Witch Trials which, when all was said and done, resulted in the execution of 20 people accused of practicing the devil's magic.  On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we listen to the 1962 Pulitzer Prize winning opera, "The Crucible" adapted from Arthur Miller's play by American composer Robert Ward.

Feb 29, 2016

It was on this day in 1980 that Gordie Howe, also known as Mr. Hockey, scored his 800th goal in the National Hockey League, becoming the first player ever to reach that rare landmark. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we take a listen to the song that was played to celebrate that goal and more.

 

Feb 26, 2016

Today in 1919, the Grand Canyon officially became a national park. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we travel the path once trod by the Griswold's and Thelma and Louise to one of America's most iconic natural wonders. The soundtrack for our voyage is Ferde Grofe's "Grand Canyon Suite" from 1931.

Feb 24, 2016

On this day in 2002, Leo Ornstein died at the age of 108. Ornstein was a piano virtuoso and a pioneer of modernist music. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we explore the long and prolific career of the great pianist and composer.

 

Feb 23, 2016

Today in 1930, Russian composer Igor Stravinsky told a reporter at the Prague Press that he “recognized only half-tones as the basis of music.”   He was speaking in response to hearing the music of Czech composer Alois Hàba—one of the foremost composers of quarter-tone music between the world wars.  On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we dissect the debate between the proponents of half-tone traditionalism and the advocates of quarter-tone sonic deviation.

Feb 17, 2016

On this day in 1977, A Symphony of Three Orchestras, by the American composer Elliott Carter, had its world premiere, with Pierre Boulez conducting the New York Philharmonic. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we delve into Carter's symphony and examine the possibility that there may exist a parody of the minimalism that was so fashionable at the time.

 

Feb 16, 2016

On this day in 2005, “Circus Maximus,” the third symphony of American composer John Corigliano and one of the most influential of recent symphonic works, had its world premiere. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we learn that Corigliano's work draws parallels between the high decadence of ancient Rome and our present culture. Oh, and there's also a shotgun blast at the end!

 

Feb 12, 2016

On this day in 1963, construction began on the Gateway Arch — that defining landmark of the city of St. Louis and the iconic portal to the western United States. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we consider "Arch Music for St. Louis", a 1997 piece by Dutch composer Peter Schat. We also explore the musical arches of Béla Bartók and Jewel.

 

 

Feb 10, 2016

On this day in 1996, the computer Deep Blue stunned chess master Gary Kasparov by beating him in the opening game of their six-game match. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we contemplate the music of the game of kings and explore the nonhuman works of the computer composer Emily Howell.

 

 

Feb 9, 2016

Today in 1937, the Hungarian composer Béla Bartók debuted selections from Mikrokosmos at a concert for the International Society for Contemporary Music in London. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we explore Bartók's pedagogical musical endeavor.

Feb 5, 2016

Today in 1704, a disturbance was caused at the Drury Lane Theatre in London, when someone began to hiss and throw oranges at Italian soprano, Margherita de L’Épine as she took to the stage. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we explore the rivalry between two of the period's greatest sopranos.

Feb 4, 2016

Today in 1924, in Carnegie Hall, the ultramodernist composer and pianist Henry Cowell had his New York debut. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we learn about Cowell's unique technique in eliciting sounds from the piano and explore his notable works.

Feb 2, 2016

It was on this day in 2012 the orchestral work, "Alternative Energy," by Mason Bates had its world premiere with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Bates is one of America's most performed composers and he's also DJ. On today's "A Classical Day in the life," we explore "Alternative Energy" and the nontraditional sonic elements entwined within the work.

Jan 28, 2016

On this day in 1972, in Atlanta, the African American composer Scott Joplin’s opera Treemonisha had its first staged performance. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," learn why it took more than a half a century after Joplin's death to first perform his only surviving opera.

Jan 27, 2016

On this day in 1823, Edouard Lalo, one of the major voices in late-19th-century French composition, was born. We explore the music of Lalo and compare it with that of another famous composer who was also born on this day in 1756, find out the identity of the other January 27th birthday boy on today's "A Classical Day in the Life."

Jan 22, 2016

Today in 1839, composer and pianist, Frederic Chopin, wrote a letter containing his Preludes to piano maker Camille Pleyel. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we read the letter and listen to the music Chopin composed while living on the rain-soaked island of Majorca. 

Jan 21, 2016

Today in 1988 Christopher Rouse's Symphony No. 1 had its first performance, with David Zinman conducting the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we explore Rouse's expressive, at times gut-wrenching and despair-soaked first symphony.

Jan 20, 2016

Today in 2005, Philip Glass's monumental Symphony No. 7, also known as the "Toltec" symphony premiered. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we explore the inspiration and symbolism of the piece.

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