James Bennett II appears in the following:
When Did WQXR Start Calling it 'Classical' Music?
Wednesday, October 03, 2018
Sure, we use Classical music to describe the style of composers like Haydn and Mozart, but since when did we use that word to describe 1,000 years of music?
Dessa: The Rapper, Writer and Poet on Composition, Hip-Hop, and Growing Up With a Lutenist Dad
Tuesday, October 02, 2018
Ahead of her two performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, Dessa dropped by WQXR to talk about music, her composition process, and what classical picks she'd give to a hip-hop head.
Jean Sibelius’s Only Radio Interview Doesn’t Reveal Much — But Wow, That Voice
Tuesday, October 02, 2018
In 1948, the Finnish composer gave a neutral and reserved interview, but that shouldn’t stop you from listening to his deep, sagacious voice.
What if ‘Rite of Spring’ Were an 80's Video Game? It Might Sound Like This
Monday, October 01, 2018
YouTuber foeveryrealx transformed Stravinsky’s ballet into an 8-bit suite. And it's mesmerizing.
A Tease of Conrad Tao’s ‘Everything Must Go’
Friday, September 28, 2018
The New York Philharmonic commissioned Conrad Tao to compose a work that serves as a prelude to Bruckner’s 8th — listen to how the two pieces are flawlessly linked together.
Saxy Ligeti Is Something We Had No Idea We Needed
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles are an intensely playful, sprightly set of short compositions. Turns out that a group of saxophones can convey that feeling quite well.
This Piano Trio’s Take on a ‘Final Fantasy’ Theme is a Musical Dream
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
“To Zanarkand” is one of the more popular tunes from video game composer Nobuo Uetmatsu’s oeuvre. One chamber group wanted to see what they could do with it.
11 Conductors Choose Their Pieces of a Lifetime
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
"If you only had to conduct one piece for the rest of your life, what would it be?" is a question that conductors would probably want to avoid. But these 11 stepped up to the challenge.
Maria Callas is Back on Tour
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Curious to see what the resurrected diva looks and sounds like? Get a glimpse into the technological wonder and tell us what you think.
12 Pieces of Autumn Music That Aren't by Vivaldi
Saturday, September 22, 2018
When it comes to locking down an Fall playlist, Vivaldi's "Autumn" is usually the runaway favorite. But let's switch it up and explore some other autumnal offerings from other composers.
Need a Stream of the 2018 Gramophone Music Awards? Of Course You Do.
Monday, September 17, 2018
The 2018 Gramophone Music Awards ceremony is behind us, but if you missed it you can still catch the stream!
The Experts’ Concert Guide to Fall 2018
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Summer might be over, but concert season is back! Instead of rehashing the usual listings, we turned to some great musicians, composers and writers and asked what they were excited for.
The Premiere: Bruckner’s Third Symphony Was Doomed From the Start. Here’s Why.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
The premiere of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 3 was the Murphy’s Law embodied in 19th-century music. But anyone could have seen from the start it would go poorly.
Roads Not Taken: 11 Conductors Tell Us What Else They Might Have Been
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
We asked 11 conductors what else they might have been.
Wake Up! Here’s a Little Duet for Piccolo and … Alarm Clock
Monday, September 10, 2018
Composer Tilmann Dehnhard has written quite the piece to get you going in the morning.
These Kids Are Amazed When They Meet an Opera Singer for the First Time
Monday, September 10, 2018
How do you stun a kid into a state of pure awe? Introduce them to an opera singer like Angel Blue.
On the Origin of That Iconic Nokia Ringtone
Thursday, September 06, 2018
Tárrega’s “Gran Vals” might be best known as the “Nokia Tune,” but how did the company’s sound design team choose it?
For Two NFL Players, Music Is Just As Important As Gridiron Training
Thursday, September 06, 2018
Jason Kelce and Justin Tucker are two active NFL Players and Super Bowl Champions — but music is a big part of their lives, too.
Royal Wedding Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s Summer in the Spotlight
Thursday, September 06, 2018
It’s been just over 100 days since the Royal Wedding — which means it’s also a perfect time to check in with show-stealing cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
Yuja Wang’s Ultimate Warm-up: Concertos On Demand
Wednesday, September 05, 2018
Before heading out to crush some Prokofiev with the Berlin Philharmonic, pianist Yuja Wang hyped herself up by playing a few concerto themes on demand.