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SOCIETY MUSIC
To The Best of Our Knowledge
from Wisconsin Public Radio
The cultural revolution changed everything for Hao
Jian Tian. When he was ten years old, Tian studio piano. Reluctantly.
So when his piano teacher was hauled off to jail, it was a day of
celebration. No more piano lessons. No more practicing. But years
later, music caught up with Hao Jiang Tian. In this hour of To
the Best of Our Knowledge, one man's journey from Mao to Mozart.
And, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, tracing women's history through popular music.
SEGMENT 1:
Hao Jiang Tian grew up in China during Mao's
Cultural Revolution. Now he sings at the Met. Tian recalls smashing
his conductor-father's then banned record albums for recycling,
and the albums his father hid. And he tells the story of how he
moved from his hated piano lessons to life as a vocalist. And
we hear lots of singing.
SEGMENT 2:
Golan Levin is the composer of "Dialtones:
A Telesymphony." He tells Jim Fleming that one cell phone
going off at a concert is an annoyance, but 200 of them can become
part of a sophisticated musical composition. He explains how he
organized it. Also, Francesco Sbano has compiled a CD called
"La Musica della Mafia: Il Canto di Malavita." He tells
Steve Paulson about the culture of Calabria in Southern Italy
and the importance of respect and honor. He says the Mafia appropriated
those cultural values and applied their own rules, to the great
chagrin of ordinary Calabrians.
SEGMENT 3:
Aimee McCormick and Andra Mitrovich
have spent years touring in a two-woman play called, "Love,
Janis." They perform excerpts of the play (with guitarist
John Nichols) and talk about how much of herself Janis Joplin
poured into her performances. Also, Aimee McCormick and Andra
Mitrovich have spent years touring in a two-woman play called,
"Love, Janis." They perform excerpts of the play (with
guitarist John Nichols) and talk about how much of herself Janis
Joplin poured into her performances. Also, Dorothy Marcic
is the author of "Respect: Women and Popular Music."
She tells Jim Fleming that you can trace the cultural status of
women by analyzing the lyrics of 20th century popular songs. And
she explains that "R-e-s-p-e-c-t" was originally sung
by a man, but became a totally different song when performed by
Aretha Franklin. is the author of "Respect: Women and Popular
Music." She tells Jim Fleming that you can trace the cultural
status of women by analyzing the lyrics of 20th century popular
songs. And she explains that "R-e-s-p-e-c-t" was originally
sung by a man, but became a totally different song when performed
by Aretha Franklin.
Cassette copies are available
at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 02-12-01-A.
................................................................
Books:
- Dorothy Marcic, Respect: Women and Popular
Music (Texere)
Websites:
Music:
- -- "The Love Theme from
The Godfather"/Nino Rota
- -- "Mercedez-Benz"/Andra Mitrovich
- -- "The Flower Drum of Fengyang"/Hao
Jiang Tian
from the CD, "Over The Ocean" (Sinocast Productions)
- -- Excerpt from "Dialtones: A Telesymphony"/Golan
Levin
- -- "I cunifirenti (The Traitors)"/Salvatore
Macheda from the CD, "La Musica Della Mafia" (PIAS America)
- -- "Appartegnu all'onorata (Belonging to the
Society)"/El Domingo from the CD, "La Musica Della Mafia"
(PIAS America)
- -- "Milano Cool"/Arling & Cameron
from the CD, "Music for Imaginary Films" (Emperor Norton
Records) http://www.emperornorton.com/mod/
- -- "Me and Bobby McGee"/Andra Mitrovich
- -- "Piece of My Heart"/Janis Joplin
- -- "I Wanna Be Loved By You"/Helen Kane
- -- "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"/Nancy
Sinatra from the CD single, "Nancy Sinatra"/Lil' Bit
of Gold" (Rhino)
- -- "Respect"/Aretha Franklin
- -- "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"/Cyndi
Lauper
Distribution dates:
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Questions and comments can
be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org
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