Listen to New Voices on Studs Terkel our partnership with 826CHI-here! Read the Story
Martin Duberman, historian and biographer, discusses his latest work which focuses on the singer, actor, and political activist Paul Robeson. Robeson was known for his performance in Showboat and Emperor Jones.
Leonard Bernstein discusses his career as a composer along with his thoughts on American culture, musical theater, Black music, classical music, and education; music is played throughout the program including songs from Marc Blitzstein's play "The Cradle Will Rock."
Ladysmith Black Mambazo discuss South African music and South Africa. Songs that have been removed include those from the play "The Son of Jacob Zulu." that was playing at Steppenwolf Theater. Includes a clip of an interview with the Chief of Durban.
Studs interviews John Eliot Gardiner about his career in baroque music and his background and interests. Studs announces that Gardiner is performing at Orchestra Hall in Chicago. Gardiner explains the instruments that his group uses and how they are different and capture the original sounds of pieces. He also describes the history and time period of baroque music. Gardiner explains various pieces that the choir performs such as Handel's "Israel in Egypt" and Henry Purcell's "King Arthur." The musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.
Joachim Kaiser discusses critiquing German music and how the music scene in Germany has changed. Studs Terkel in Germany.
Harold Prince discusses his direction of Madame Butterfly while also discussing operas, musicals, and theater in general.
The Russian-born actress Eugenie Leontovich talks about how she researched books in order to prepare for the role of Anastasia. Madame Leontovich also talks about using the Stanislavski Method when teaching her students about acting and performing. Today's theatre arts in America are very strong, Leontovich commented.
Studs Terkel talks with Elisabeth about her career in opera. She discusses her thoughts of her overall career.
Studs Terkel continues to interview actress and singer Eartha Kitt. Part 2 of the interview begins with the song "Üsküdara", and ends with "Mountain High, Valley Low", both sung by Kitt. Kitt discusses the following; her career; her desire to entertain; her autobiography, "Thursday's Child"; her mothers death; the art of interacting with the audience; the femme fatale; her time with the Katherine Dunham Dancers; and her portrayl of Helen of Troy.
When he was a child, Dudley Moore first wanted to study the violin. He's grateful to his mother for insisting that he first study the piano. Moore said his influences include Bach and Garner. Unlike other musicians, Moore's main focus has always been on the beat, both the cultivation and the presence of the beat of a song and of music.
Cole Porter biographer Robert Kimball talks with Studs about his book "Cole" and his subject's life and work as they listen to classic performances of some of his most beloved songs. They marvel at how Porter perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the times in his lyrics, his lyrical influences, his unique method of outside-in composing lyrics and music simultaneously, Bobby Short's masterful interpretations, controversies over some of his works, and how well his material holds up.