Pianist Yael Weiss – The Creative Link Between the Written Score and the Listener

Yael Weiss possesses a rare commitment that compels her to recognize her responsibility as a performer in her daily existence.  “Even if I am by myself, it is absolutely essential that I always try my best to be precise in uncovering the intention of the composer, to find the meaning behind the notes,” she says. “There is thinking about music happening at every moment during practicing and of course on stage, a never ending search for the truth in the music – the reason why a particular piece was conceived as is.”

In music, the exchange of the written score between the artist and the listener happens in real time, unlike in other arts. “It’s the realization through performance in that ...

60X60 Radio Extravaganza

In 2012, 60X60 celebrates a decade of presenting minute long works. This afternoon, there will be a  "Radio Request Extravaganza" broadcast, featuring works submitted to the 2012 60X60 Call for Recordings. Tune in to 98.7 WFMT for the "Relevant Tones" show from 4-5 CMT (and call in your requests to 773-279-2017).

If any are so inclined, my "Gilgamesh Variation 1" is one of the works on offer.

Brahms in the matrix





A funny combination of classical music and "The Matrix"

DrumChattr Podcast #31: “Spotify, Turntable.fm and Dolly Parton”

In today’s round table podcast we talk about Spotify, Turntable.fm and “listening to and/or downloading” Dolly Parton. Unfortunately, we had some technical issues at about 8 minutes remaining in the podcast and we lost Shane’s audio.

We would love to hear your thoughts about how you use Spotify and if you think it is a good tool for musicians. Do you think artists are being compensated in this new era of streaming? Please leave your comments below.

Episode 30: Chamber Music (Brian McWhorter, trumpet; Molly Barth, flute)

Elizabeth and Kurt talk with Brian McWhorter (Meridian Arts Ensemble, Beta Collide) and Molly Barth (eighth blackbird, Beta Collide) about chamber music and their own chamber music ensemble, Beta Collide.

If you’d like to download it, right click and select “Save As”. Enjoy the train wreck!
Episode 30

This week’s playlist has been replaced with TWiP’s request that you go buy Beta Collide’s new album.

TWiP List
Coming tomorrow! We’re going to see the Schola Cantorum de Venezula this evening!
We are also going to start posting extras and extended episodes that you will only be able to listen to/download only on this site. Look out for all of this tomorrow. We’ll post on Facebook and

Podcast: Music for the Beginning of Time (Anthony Brandt, composer)

A few days after our originally scheduled interview and with new MacBook charger in hand, I march over to the office of Dr. Anthony Brandt. With so many wonderful faculty at Rice University (well, that goes without saying), I contacted Dr. Brandt in hopes that we could talk about his new music ensemble Musiqa or his Sound Reasoning course. Instead, I was invited to get a behind-the-scenes look at one of my favorite albums (off the record- sorry!), to travel back in time to the moment when gender first came into being and to meet an amazing composer with a thrilling life story.

Anthony Brant is currently working on a piece for chamber orchestra and soprano. It was commissioned by the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra and the singer will be