EXPLO.TV - Webcasts, Video Clips, and Podcasts from the Exploratorium

Speaking of Music Rewind: Ali Akbar Khan part 2 (Podcast)

Running Time:
01:03:00

A concert performed by the renowned Hindustani classical music master Ali Akbar Khan on sarod, recorded in 1992.

Project: Speaking of Music Rewind | Browse All

Date: June 18, 2010
Format: Demonstration / Activity
Category: Popular Culture
Subject(s): art

Keywords: ali akbar khan, speaking of music

Alternative content

download MP3 (87.3 MB)

Speaking of Music Rewind: John Cage (Podcast)

Running Time:
01:28:01

John Cage was one of the most influential composers in modern American music. He raised fundamental questions about the nature of music, and invigorated, provoked, and perplexed audiences throughout his long career. In this lecture from 1987, excerpts of his work are played and discussed. Afterwards, Cage takes questions and shares his thoughts on subjects ranging from the origins of his impulse to make music-"Many composers hear music before they write it, but I write music in order to hear it"-to using chance to create without ego or intention. He asks why we should listen to music instead of just listening to the sounds around us, and answers: "There's no reason."

Project: Speaking of Music Rewind | Browse All

Date: May 20, 2010
Format: Interview
Category: Popular Culture
Subject(s): Art

Keywords: john cage, music, speaking of music,

Alternative content

download MP3 (120.08 MB)

Speaking of Music Rewind: Pauline Oliveros (Podcast)

Running Time:
01:34:04

Composer and performer Pauline Oliveros has been a pioneering figure in American music for over four decades. In this intimate talk recorded at the Exploratorium on February 21, 1985, Oliveros discusses her decision to quit teaching and flee to Italy with her accordion, her appreciation of the Grateful Dead's concert sound system, and the perils of the squeezebox. She also takes audience questions and performs "Rattlesnake Mountain" live.

Project: Speaking of Music Rewind | Browse All

Date: April 16, 2010
Format: Lecture
Category: Popular Culture
Subject(s): Art

Keywords: speaking of music, pauline oliveros, accordian

Alternative content

download MP3 (131.1 MB)

Speaking of Music Rewind: Anthony Braxton (Podcast)

Running Time:
01:54:49

In this extensive talk from 1985, prolific American composer, musician, and self-proclaimed 'student' Anthony Braxton discusses many elements of his musical work. Because Braxton sees his musical output as part of larger constellations of culture, politics, and spirituality, his talk is huge in scope, and his language sometimes dizzies while it dazzles. He discusses his personal rejection of music for entertainment, and considers instead what music might do to further universal values. He also takes audience questions and plays excerpts of some of his recordings. This talk will amuse, awe, challenge, and inspire interested parties old and new.

Project: Speaking of Music Rewind | Browse All

Date: March 18, 2010
Format: Lecture
Category: Popular Culture
Subject(s): Music

Keywords: music braxton

Alternative content

download MP3 (105.1 MB)

After Dark: Distortion: Thee Oh Sees and Harry Smith Film (Clip)

Running Time:
00:01:49

A highlight of this After Dark evening was Thee Oh Sees, one of the Bay Area’s best underground bands, who created a playful aural disorientation while playing in front of “visual music” by the late experimental filmmaker and musicologist Harry Smith.

Project: After Dark | Browse All

Date: March 4, 2010
Format: Event
Category: Popular Culture
Subject(s): Art

Keywords: music, band, concert, thee oh sees, harry smith, experimental, art, film, after dark

Speaking of Music Rewind: Trimpin (Podcast)

Running Time:
01:23:00

In this gem from 1990, we get a brief peek into the flourishing mind of German-born composer/sculptor Trimpin, a MacArthur "genius" award winner and the subject of a recent feature documentary. He chronicles his unique adventures through sound and music making, takes audience questions, and stages modified versions of his musical installations in front of the live audience.

Project: Speaking of Music Rewind | Browse All

Date: February 19, 2010
Format: Interview
Category: Popular Culture
Subject(s): Art

Keywords: speaking of music, rewind, trimpin, music, composer, art, sound, inventor

Links:

Trimpin documentary

Alternative content

download MP3 (76.3 MB)

Speaking of Music Rewind: Astor Piazzolla (Podcast)

Running Time:
010000

On January 15th we will release a gem of a vintage interview with revolutionary musician/composer Astor Piazolla! In this inspired 1989 chat, Argentinean nuevo tango composer and bandoneon (concertina) player Astor Piazzolla dazzles the audience with a surprising story about the tango's origin in Argentina. He traces his musical beginnings and the "very beautiful way of feeling crazy" that resulted in his best compositions. Piazzolla also plays the bandoneon, and answers audience questions.

Project: Speaking of Music Rewind | Browse All

Date: January 15, 2010
Format: Interview
Category: Popular Culture
Subject(s): art

Keywords: speaking of music, astor piazzola, tango,

Alternative content

download MP3 (99.9 MB)

Science Teaching Tips: Whirled Music (Podcast)

Running Time:
00:08:39

Geeks have strange hobbies. Staff physicist Paul Doherty plays the corrugated plastic tube, also known as a “whirly,” and explains the surprising science behind the sound.

Project: Teacher Institute Science Teaching Tips | Browse All

Date: January 13, 2010
Format: Interview
Category: Everyday Science
Subject(s): Physics

Keywords: whirly, sound, music

Links:	The science of whirlies
	Sounds like fun

Alternative content

download MP3 (3.5 MB)

Science Teaching Tips: Hey Batter, Batter! (Podcast)

Running Time:
00:08:42

Exploratorium graphic artist David Barker describes the physics of baseball bats, and makes some sweet music in the process!

Project: Teacher Institute Science Teaching Tips | Browse All

Date: January 6, 2010
Format: Expedition
Category: Everyday Science
Subject(s): Physics

Keywords: baseball, bats, physics, science, music

Links:

Exploratorium’s science of baseball

Alternative content

download MP3 (3.5 MB)

Speaking of Music Rewind: Brian Eno Part 1 (Podcast)

Running Time:
01:11:25

Brian Eno is a supremely influential English musician, composer, producer, and popularizer of ambient music. In this informal, free-range chat from February 1988, Eno discusses his origins as an artist and some of the major influences in his life. He’s never short on wit or opinions, and the interview will amuse fans and newcomers alike.

Project: Speaking of Music Rewind | Browse All

Date: December 18, 2009
Format: Interview
Category: Popular Culture
Subject(s): Art

Keywords: brian eno, speaking of music rewind

Alternative content

download MP3 (98 MB)


		Streaming Technology provided by: Digital Rapids	Webcasts made possible through the generosity of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, The Jim Clark Endowment for Internet Education, the McBean Family Foundation,.and the Corporation for Educational Networks Initiatives in California (CENIC).