More about the Exploratorium website: Speaking of Music Rewind
The highly regarded Speaking of Music series (1983-1992) was co-presented by the Exploratorium and Charles Amirkhanian of KPFA radio. Conversations between Mr. Amirkhanian and prominent musicians and composers focused on the creative process. The archived files have been released as a podcast series.

iTunesSubscribe via iTunes
RSSLatest Podcasts RSS

Browsing 10 - 20 results of 24 programs from project - Speaking of Music Rewind

Speaking of Music Rewind:  Ali Akbar Khan part 1 (Podcast)
Running Time:
01:03:00
This presentation, originally recorded in 1992, is a meditation on a lifetime dedicated to music. The renowned Hindustani classical music master Ali Akbar Khan recounts the earliest days of his musical study with his father (including his 18-hour practice days); how he chose to play and master his instrument, the sarod (maybe it chose him); and how music can be a healing force. He plays the instrument and explains how it works and how it’s different from the more well-known sitar. Khan also discusses the founding of his music school in San Rafael, California, a manifestation of his philosophy that knowledge of music should be shared with others.

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   (114 MB)  
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)  
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)  
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)  
Speaking of Music Rewind:  Brian Eno Part 2 (Podcast)
Running Time:
00:31:00
Brian Eno is a supremely influential English musician, composer, producer, and popularizer of ambient music. In the second half of 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   (42.5 MB)  
Speaking of Music Rewind:  Laurie Anderson Part 1 (Podcast)
Running Time:
01:15:45
Laurie Anderson is a groundbreaking American composer, vocalist, instrumentalist, and performance artist. She is celebrated for her multimedia performances and innovative use of technology in art. In this candid, in-depth interview from December 1984, Anderson talks about her very diverse inspirations, including her relationship to technology, her past lives, television, and handheld versus electronic instruments. She also plays samples of the music and sounds that fuel her process, as well as some of her own work

Project: Speaking of Music Rewind | Browse All

Date: November 20, 2009
Format: Interview
Category: Popular Culture
Subject(s): Art

Keywords: laurie anderson, speaking of music, 40th, experimental music, composing

Links: Laurie Anderson Website

Alternative content



download MP3   (104 MB)  
PREV 1 2  3NEXT
 
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
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).

© 1994 - 2013 Exploratorium | The museum of science, art and human perception