WPR Music Hosts Explore Traditional Spirituals
Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 11:50am
Traditional spirituals have always been a part of our music programs at WPR, but this week our daytime classical music includes a special focus on them. Created by generations of enslaved Africans, spirituals tell the stories of their sorrows, celebrations, and hopes for freedom.
5 Pieces Of Classical Music To Run/Walk/Roll With
Tuesday, June 1, 2021, 4:20pm
Music lifts our spirits and helps focus our energies. Exercise gives us energy and keeps us healthy. Celebrate the power of both with WPR’s virtual Classical 5K Run/Walk/Roll this June.
WPR Presents The Final Forte
Tuesday, June 1, 2021, 9:10am
Experience the beauty of musical expression as four gifted young artists compete in the final round of the Bolz Young Artist Competition. Broadcast on WPR’s NPR News and Music Network Wednesday, June 2 at 8 p.m., and Sunday June 13 at 1 p.m.
5 Classical Pieces Influenced By Jazz
Monday, May 17, 2021, 2:40pm
The influence of jazz runs through many kinds of music, including music written by composers working in the classical world. For many American composers, especially, jazz was a welcome jolt of life that gave them an exciting new musical language rooted in their own country.
10 Questions For Conductor Marin Alsop
Thursday, April 15, 2021, 10:00am
"Earth Day Heritage: A Celebration in Music and Words" is a new recording featuring Marin Alsop conducting the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. WPR's Norman Gilliland recently spoke with Alsop about her experiences as one of America’s leading conductors.
WPR Celebrates Female Conductors
Thursday, March 11, 2021, 10:45am
Many women are prominent classical performers and soloists, but even today, far fewer are conductors, especially of major orchestras.
Elephant Revival Tune 'Pasture' Made To 'Rock The Earth'
Thursday, February 18, 2021, 1:55pm
From its opening notes, "Pasture," by the band Elephant Revival, dances through the speakers with a percussive melody from a mandolin, followed up by its duet partner, the fiddle. The band shared this wonderful instrumental during a 2013 in-studio performance and interview with "Simply Folk's" Stephanie Elkins.
WPR Celebrates The Music Of Florence Price
Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 10:15am
Florence Price was an American composer, pianist and teacher, active in the first half of the 20th century, and was the first Black woman to have a work performed by a major American orchestra. We’ll be featuring a wide range of her music during our music programs the week of Feb. 22.
Raye Zaragoza Sings Her Story On 'Woman In Color'
Thursday, January 28, 2021, 4:15pm
Raye Zaragoza named her 2020 album, "Woman in Color," because she saw it as "a coloring book, and every song was a like a little bit of me coloring in my story, of my past and my present and my future." "Being a woman of color in America and someone of mixed race, I’ve always felt like identity is...
Nathans And Ronstadt Premier A New Music Video For 'Ghost Writer'
Wednesday, January 20, 2021, 12:00pm
Writing can be a struggle, whether it’s songwriting or penning a novel. The duo of Aaron Nathans and Michael G. Ronstadt recently explored this territory in their song, "Ghost Writer," the opening track to their 2020 album, "Shadow of the Cyclone." When they perform, Nathans mainly plays guitar and...
'Simply Folk' Hosts Its First Virtual House Band
Saturday, January 2, 2021, 5:05am
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the miles between them, "Simply Folk" listeners shared their voices and their spirit with each other for the show’s annual singalong to be broadcast on Jan. 3. Invited to record their voices singing along to traditional folk songs, 60 listeners and staff members of...
World War I Christmas Truce Of 1914 Serves As A Witness Of Peace
Wednesday, December 16, 2020, 4:30pm
For many, Christmas is a season of peace, and in the middle of World War I, that literally was true. During our own time, when political divisions can feel so extreme, the story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 is a welcome gift and witness of peace between supposed enemies. The truce took place just...
In Spite Of It All, 2020 Was A Great Year For Music
Saturday, December 5, 2020, 7:30am
December is here, and with it the end of 2020. I know we’re all a little glad for that, but in the midst of all that’s happened this year, folk musicians continued to create some great music. That’s amazing, when you think about all the challenges, lost gigs and income, and interrupted recording...
WPR Celebrates The Music Of William Grant Still
Thursday, November 5, 2020, 10:10am
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of American composer William Grant Still , and WPR will be featuring a wide range of his works during our music programs the week of Nov. 9, including our weekday classical shows between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
New Folk And Roots Music Releases For Your Halloween Playlist
Thursday, October 22, 2020, 12:20pm
Couldn’t we all use a little seasonal break right about now? Halloween comes at just the right time, with a few pretend frights to take our minds, if only for a moment, off the serious news of the day. Musicians are always coming out with new music appropriate for the holiday, so here are a few releases from the last year, suitable for your holiday playlist.
Celebrating Each Other Through Music: Dr. Jonathan Øverby On 'The Road To Higher Ground'
Friday, October 16, 2020, 10:15am
Dr. Jonathan Øverby has produced "The Road to Higher Ground" on WPR since 2007, playing "world music with African roots and more." Each Saturday at 5 p.m. on NPR News & Music stations, you'll hear songs from many African traditions and music from the African diaspora, but the way Øverby brings the "and more" to his listeners is what makes "Higher Ground" different from other world music shows.