Classical KC

Nottage, the only woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice, has a new play on Broadway, an opera at Lincoln Center Theater and a Michael Jackson musical opening soon.

On this episode of Sound Currents, explore a retrospective of the ever-evolving career and recordings of cellist Fred Sherry.

Acclaimed for her fearless performances in operas by Strauss and Bizet, Ewing also partly inspired Passing, a film written and directed by her daughter, Rebecca Hall.

Leopold Stokowski was perhaps the most famous conductor of the 20th century. Hear him conduct colorful ballet music by Tchaikovsky and Sibelius, with all the trademark flair that made him famous.

In the second episode featuring works that had their premieres in Paris, we'll hear music by Mozart, Saint-Saëns and Debussy. Plus, co-hosts Michael Stern and Dan Margolies will take listeners inside the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées for the legendary 1913 premiere of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring."

Classical KC's Brooke Knoll speaks with two winning composers from the Charlotte Street Foundation's 2021 New Music Composition Competition about expanding their musical and personal palettes. Plus hear their winning compositions. Tim Harte, founder of the competition, talks about its successes and challenges alongside finding a home for experimental music in Kansas City.

Songs Of Disappearance is an entire album of calls from endangered Australian birds. Last month, it briefly perched at No. 3 on the country's top 50 albums chart – ahead of Taylor Swift.

Dive into the depths of winter with guest JD Daniel as we explore ice and snow on this week's Sound Currents.

Classical KC's Brooke Knoll speaks with Serena Canin of the Brentano Quartet about the group's guiding principles, finding inspiration in Beethoven's "Immortal Beloved," and working with Kansas City-native Joyce DiDonato. We'll hear one of Beethoven's last works as well as contemporary music by Jake Heggie and Steven Mackey.

Hear incredible music by George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra — one of the most successful artistic partnerships of the 20th century. We’ll hear music by Wagner and Richard Strauss in stunning live performances that must be heard to be believed.

In the first of two episodes featuring works that had their premieres in Paris, we'll hear music by César Franck, Édouard Lalo and Claude Debussy. Plus, co-hosts Michael Stern and Dan Margolies get all wound up discussing Maurice Ravel's show-stopping musical experiment "Boléro."

What does the letter "e" sound like as it's being written down? Capital "A?" The word "steak?" Experimental musician Leah Reid creates new music with the sounds of writing different letters and words.