WPR Music

WPR Music is a blog compiling news and information about classical music, folk music, world music and beyond assembled by WPR's music hosts and staff.

For Folk Duo Patchouli, Inspiration Comes From Both Outside, Inside The Music

Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 8:00pm

Julie Patchouli and Bruce Hecksell, who perform as the folk duo "Patchouli, said their song, "The Woods," has become something of the pair's musical mantra.

WPR Music Hosts Share Tracks For April Fools' Day

Monday, April 1, 2019, 7:05am

In honor of April Fools' Day, the WPR's music staff had fun putting together a collection of personal favorites.

Folk Band Lula Wiles Receives, Passes On The Music

Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 11:45am

Folk Band Lula Wiles in Wisconsin Public Radio Studio

For the band Lula Wiles, folk music isn't just about passing on the music, but also passing on the possibility to other women.

For Ex-Peter, Paul And Mary Singer, Music Plays A Central Role In Society

Sunday, March 10, 2019, 9:20am

For Noel Paul Stookey, one-third of the iconic 1960s folk trio, Peter, Paul and Mary, music still plays an essential role in today's society.

WPR Presents 2019's 'The Final Forte'

Thursday, March 7, 2019, 12:25pm

Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television present "The Final Forte," broadcast live at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 13.

Singer-Songwriter Tret Fure Has Worked Both On Stage, Behind The Music

Friday, March 1, 2019, 5:00pm

A well-known musician herself, Tret Fure also has made it possible for other people to share their voices and their music. As an engineer, record producer, songwriting teacher and president of her local musicians’ union, she has been both on stage and behind the music for over 40 years.

Margaret Bonds And Florence Price Offered Friendship, Mutual Support As Artists

Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 3:55pm

African-American classical composers Florence Price and Margaret Bonds support each other to achieve success in 1930s Chicago.

Nashville's Barefoot Movement Offers Differing Journeys To Bluegrass Music

Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 9:00am

The Barefoot Movement in WPR's Buck Studio

Bluegrass, like so many genres of music, is a mix of styles: old-timey string band music, with a little bit of blues and jazz from down South, some English and Scottish influences from the Appalachian Mountains, and a pinch of gospel music as well. The members of Nashville quartet the Barefoot Movement share how they came upon their version of bluegrass music.

Remembering 'Freedom Songs' To Mark Anniversary Of Mandela's Release

Friday, February 15, 2019, 4:10pm

This past Monday, Feb. 11, marked 29 years since Nelson Mandela was freed from prison in South Africa. Apartheid had been the law of the land in South Africa for over 40 years, but change was in the air and music played an important role in that change.

WPR Music Hosts Share Songs For Valentine's Day

Wednesday, February 13, 2019, 6:00pm

Love, gained and lost, is one of the most common themes in all music. In honor of Valentine’s Day, WPR's Music Staff shares some wide-ranging personal favorites, from the familiar to the unexpected.

The Midday

Pianist Andrew Armstrong & Cellist Alex Wu

Monday, February 11, 2019, 12:00pm

Norman talks to pianist Andrew Armstrong and cellist Alex Wu about this summer's Green Lake Chamber Music Camp from June 30 to July 13, 2019.

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The Midday

Madison Opera

Thursday, February 7, 2019, 12:00pm

Norman talks to Kathryn Smith, General Director of the Madison Opera, about their upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" on February 8 and 10 in the Capitol Theater in Madison. They play and discuss several excerpts from the opera.

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Roots Musician Martha Redbone Shares Song 'Hear The Voice Of The Bard'

Saturday, February 2, 2019, 11:35am

Martha Redbone shares her varied experiences and family background through her music, including a song from an onstage interview for "Simply Folk."

Johnsmith In Studio With Simply Folk

Wednesday, January 23, 2019, 11:25am

“Where would we be without music?!” That was a question that musician Johnsmith recently pondered during an interview for WPR’s Simply Folk. “Sometimes you’re driving down the road and Simply Folk comes on or some song comes on and you didn’t even think that some issue was up in your heart or like you were stuck about something ... and all of a sudden you got a tear in your eye or you’re really laughing. You’re really thinking about some little thing and it just kind of opens you up.”

Johnsmith is from Trempeleau County in Wisconsin’s Driftless region, and...

Enjoy The New Milwaukee Symphony Broadcast Series On WPR

Thursday, January 3, 2019, 11:45am

WPR’s Lori Skelton hosts this national series of broadcast concerts by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. The 13-part series will air Sundays starting Jan. 6, 2019, at 2 p.m. on the NPR News and Classical Music Network, and on the Classical HD Network.

Milwaukee Performers Larry Penn, Lil Rev Share 'I'm A Little Cookie'

Thursday, January 3, 2019, 10:25am

Lil Rev and Larry Penn at Wild Hog in the Woods in Madison, WI

Lil Rev and Larry Penn talked with "Simply Folk" host Stephanie Elkins back in September 2013 when they shared a performance of their classic, "I'm a Little Cookie."

WPR Music Hosts Share Their Holiday Favorites

Wednesday, December 19, 2018, 1:30pm

The WPR music hosts love sharing holiday music with listeners each season. They also have their own favorites — including recordings with meaningful associations.

We Banjo 3 Demonstrates 'Celtgrass' Sound With Song 'We All Need More Kindness In This World'

Thursday, December 6, 2018, 9:55am

We Banjo 3 is a four-piece string band from Galway, Ireland, that plays a blend of music they call "Celtgrass." This recording is from an in-studio interview the group did on "Simply Folk" on May 5, 2016.

The Metropolitan Opera Begins Its 88th Season

Monday, November 26, 2018, 3:50pm

A scene from the Met production of Verdi's "Otello."

The new season of Saturday Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts begins Dec. 1 on Wisconsin Public Radio, and continues through May 11.

So, What Exactly Is Folk Music?

Wednesday, November 21, 2018, 10:40am

Roger McGuinn, Joni Mitchell, Richie Havens, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan perform

Rivka Maizlish is a doctoral student in the history department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a focus on folklore, particularly folk music. She stopped by WPR to talk with Dan Robinson, the host of "Simply Folk," about folk music and her work as a folk historian.

Interview with Jeffrey Foucault

Sunday, August 26, 2018, 7:00pm

WPR's Sheila Shigley had the good fortune to interview Wisconsin-born artist Jeffrey Foucault this summer, and to capture some great tunes in Buck Studio -- take a listen!

Alma Mahler Brought To Life In 'Ecstasy'

Friday, August 24, 2018, 3:25pm

Author Mary Sharratt has written an engrossing account of Alma Mahler's life. "Ecstasy" has been meticulously researched, capturing rich facets and details of this compelling story over a long arc of time.

University Of The Air

Madison Symphony's John DeMain Remembers Bernstein During Centennial Birth Year

Sunday, August 19, 2018, 2:45pm

Leonard Bernstein burst into the musical scene at a young age and spent much of the mid-to-late 20th century as a major musical force.

Art Stevenson and High Water at the 2018 Shindig!

Friday, August 17, 2018, 9:15am

Art Stevenson and High Water at the 2018 Simply Folk Shindig

Art Stevenson and High Water brought their brand of traditional bluegrass, sterling instrumental work, and wonderful harmony singing to the Simply Folk Shindig this past June. They’ve been at the heart of the Wisconsin string band community for years, and the crowd loved their performance this summer!

Joseph Huber at the 2018 Shindig!

Thursday, August 9, 2018, 2:10pm

Joseph Huber performing at 2018 Simply Folk Shindig

Joseph Huber and his band brought their high-energy show to Rothschild and the 2018 Simply Folk Shindig in June. Joseph had the crowd up and dancing for most of his performance!

Nickel & Rose at the 2018 Shindig!

Friday, August 3, 2018, 10:10am

Photo of Johanna Rose and Carl Nichols of Nickel and Rose performing at the 2018 Simply Folk Shindig

The Simply Folk Shindig returned to the Rothschild Pavilion in June 2018, including a fantastic performance by Milwaukee duo, Nickel and Rose - Carl Nichols and Johanna Rose. Here's their set that opened the evening ... enjoy!

Joseph Huber

Wednesday, July 11, 2018, 11:20am

Joseph Huber and his band burned up the stage at the 2018 Shindig in June! Before the concert, the Milwaukee-based musician was kind enough to do an interview and performance with Simply Folk host Dan Robinson, sharing music and stories from his life and career.

WPR Presents 2 Madison Opera Broadcasts

Thursday, May 10, 2018, 2:00pm

Madison Opera production of Bizet's "Carmen"

Join us for two productions by Madison Opera. Lori Skelton hosts these broadcast performances, which were recorded live at Overture Hall during the 2017-18 season.

Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers

Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 5:10pm

The Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, also known as Nikki Grossman and Joe Hart, came by WPR’s Buck Studio to share their music and some conversation with Simply Folk’s Dan Robinson, covering topics from songwriting to their love of old-time music. They also performed some songs from their latest album, “Don’t Think about Tomorrow Tonight.”

Milwaukee's Field Report Dropping Third Album 'Summertime Songs'

Thursday, March 22, 2018, 4:05pm

It’s been a few years since the acclaimed Milwaukee band, Field Report, released a new album. But the wait is finally over. The group is releasing its third album, "Summertime Songs," on Friday.

In the lead up to the album drop, the group has been busy. They opened for their friends (and former bandmates) Bon Iver at the 10th anniversary show for "For Emma, Forever Ago" at Milwaukee’s BMO Bradley Center. They also played some shows at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, this month.

Plus, the band...

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Hinterland Music Festival's 5th Year Is Biggest Yet

Wednesday, August 7, 2019, 12:00pm

Music lovers of all ages flocked to Saint Charles, Iowa, over the weekend for the fifth Hinterland Music Festival. Over the course of three days, headliners Hozier, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, and Brandi Carlile brought Hinterland its most impressive lineup yet.

'Romance' and 'Inspiration' From Siblings Sheku And Isata Kanneh-Mason

Friday, August 2, 2019, 10:25am

Siblings Isata and Sheku Kanneh-Mason have each released a new recording: Isata's features the piano music of Clara Schumann and her brother Sheku's includes various cello pieces, from Shostakovich to Bob Marley.

Schumann, Brahms & Mahler: Lieder

Friday, July 26, 2019, 10:30am

Soprano Renée Fleming's new release includes lieder by Brahms and Schumann for voice and piano, and Mahler’s "Rückert-Lieder," performed with the Munich Philharmonic.

Mary Gauthier Works Her Musical Alchemy For Herself And Others

Monday, July 15, 2019, 1:30pm

"I have this magic six-string machine that takes pain and turns it into something beautiful," said musician Mary Gauthier, describing her process of turning trauma into redemptive music.

The New York Concert

Thursday, July 11, 2019, 5:30pm

New double CD recorded live at Carnegie Hall featuring the music of Mozart, Fauré and Dvořák.

American Rapture

Friday, July 5, 2019, 9:15am

Harpist Yolanda Kondonassis and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra under Ward Stare team up for a world premiere by Jennifer Higdon; the recording also includes a world premiere by Patrick Harlin and the Barber Symphony No. 1.

Folk Music Travels The Galaxy

Wednesday, July 3, 2019, 1:20pm

July 20 marks the 50-year anniversary of the first humans on the moon, when Apollo 11 landed on the lunar surface. If you could pick a soundtrack to go with space travel, what would it include?

WPR Music Hosts Share Songs Of Summer

Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 6:10am

Now that summer is finally here, the WPR music staff has put together a collection of music that evokes the warm summer months.

Pavarotti: Music From The Motion Picture

Friday, June 28, 2019, 8:35am

Soundtrack from the documentary "Pavarotti" by Ron Howard.

Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers Take A Variety Of Approaches To Old-Time Country

Wednesday, June 26, 2019, 10:10am

For the Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, variety is the spice of life. The Soldiers Grove-based duo of Nikki Grossman and Joe Hart came out with an album in 2018 titled, "Don't Think About Tomorrow Tonight."

Bruckner: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 9

Thursday, June 20, 2019, 1:40pm

Another installment in the cycle of Bruckner symphonies from the Gewandhaus Orchestra and their new conductor, Andris Nelsons.

'Simply Folk' Celebrates 40 Years With Shindig Featuring Dom Flemons, Mary Gauthier

Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 11:15am

Dom Flemons at the 2019 Simply Folk Shindig

Almost 700 people gathered on June 7 at Shannon Hall on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison to celebrate four decades of "Simply Folk" with a concert by three fantastic performers.

For Dads, It’s About Love — Mistakes And All

Thursday, June 13, 2019, 2:40pm

On this Father’s Day, it's good to take a moment to reflect on our experience of being a dad or having a dad, even if that father isn't around or the relationship is complicated. Music helps us do that in powerful ways.

Midsummer's Music Celebrates Live Performances

Thursday, June 13, 2019, 11:10am

For more than 30 years, Midsummer’s Music has been brining chamber music to Door County. Its performances have included world premieres and feature world-class artists.

Locus Iste: Sacred Choral Music

Thursday, June 13, 2019, 10:50am

Sacred choral music performed by the Choir of St. John's, Cambridge celebrates the 150th anniversary of the college chapel and the choir's 100th recording.

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Opp. 109, 110 & 111

Thursday, June 6, 2019, 6:10pm

Scottish pianist Steven Osborne plays Beethoven's final three piano sonatas on a recording "Gramophone Magazine" calls "a magnificent achievement."

Giornovich: The London Concertos

Thursday, May 30, 2019, 5:05pm

Violinist Bojan Čičić and the Illyria Consort perform three violin concertos by the enigmatic and unjustly obscure 18th century composer Giovanni Giornovich.

For Amy Ray, The Music Started In Church

Tuesday, May 28, 2019, 3:55pm