What we call "in" and "out" of tune, although one may disagree when one hears a below average middle school band concert, is actually relevant.
Our tuning system, known as equal-temperment, never started truly catching on until J.S. Bach wrote The Well Tempered Clavier in 1722. Twelve tone equal-temperament gained popularity because it fit the already set design of what we now call the piano keyboard, and it gave composers total harmonic freedom at the expense of just a little impurity between each interval. Tune in to Just Intonation on July 21st to explore how intonation can be used outside of equal-temperment!
7/7 Henryk Górecki One of Poland’s most significant 20th century composers, Henryk Górecki led a quiet revolution against the Soviet authorities through his inimitable style of mystical minimalism. We’ll
dedicate an hour to his music and life.
7/14 Musical Miniatures Chopin, Kreisler, Bach and more have written compositions less than three minutes in length. This trend is no stranger to contemporary pieces. We’ll pack as many of these tiny gems as possible as we uncover why composers enjoy creating these mini masterworks.
7/21 Just Intonation Today we leave the world of equal-temperament behind and explore various contemporary pieces written for instruments in just intonation. Learn more about Just Intonation.
7/28 Composer Spotlight: Joan Tower Grammy-winning composer, pianist and conductor, Joan Tower, has been said to be “one of the most successful woman composers of all time" by The New Yorker. She’s celebrating her 80th with us by choosing her most memorable works and stories. Will Grammy award-winning Made in America make the cut?