Terkel comments and presents a musical performance by Wynton Marsalis

Studs interviews Wolfgang Rubsam who is performing at the St. Clements Catholic Church in Chicago. They discuss the sounds of the harpsichord, piano, and organ. Rubsam explains how the organ builder and the acoustics in a church affects the sound of the organ. Rubsam talks a little about various teachers he has had and the things he learned from each. The musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Interviewing folk singer Win Stracke.

Studs interviews blues singers Willie Dixon, Sunnyland Slim, and Willie Mae Big Mama Thornton about the blues. They discuss the blues festival in Chicago for which they are all in town for and name other musicians who will be performing. Sunnyland Slim talks about being on the road and the hard times. Thornton describes the blues as music made from life experiences.

Studs interviews Willie Dixon and Koko Taylor about the blues. They discuss their song "Insane Asylum" and their work together. Dixon uses his song "Little Red Rooster" to help explain how the blues are created from life experiences. Taylor reflects on singers like Willie Dixon, Memphis Minnie, and others who influenced her desire to sing the blues. Taylor also discusses European audiences and blues influence there. The musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

American composer William Schuman discusses his career as a composer and music educator at the Juilliard School.

Music director William Ferris explains various vocal techniques displayed during concerts from the William Ferris Chorale.

Music director William Ferris discusses the singers and music of the William Ferris Chorale. Ferris provides insight on the types of instruments used by the chorale and shares origins about them. He also touches on adopted vocal styles and techniques.

Interviewing William Ferris, contemporary composer and conductor, and John Vorrasi, lead tenor, as they discuss the beginning and successes of their group called the William Ferris Chorale.

Willard Van Dyke, cinematographer and co-director of documentaries like "The City" and "The River," talks about 20th century American history and how it effected the arts. Using his documentaries and other artists' work, he explores how the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War changed American art and culture. He discusses Public Works of Art, war propaganda, and McCarthyism and their challenges for artists. Near the end of this interview, Van Dyke discusses the changes in modern still photography and documentaries as Americans forget history.

American jazz cornet player Wild Bill Davison known for his wild ways, discusses his career in jazz music and life in Chicago. Davison rubbed elbows with all the Chicago bigwigs from Al Capone to jazz legends such as Fats Waller.

Werner Burkhardt, German music journalist, critic, and translator, discusses his life and work with Studs. Mr Burkhardt speaks about his life during the time of Adolph Hitler, the Hitler Youth, and World War II. They end the interview talking about Jazz in Munich, a recording of "My Man" by Billie Holiday closes the interview.

Studs Terkel interview with Wanda Wilkomirska about her life as a violinist. They discuss her childhood and her musical family. Wilkomirska talks about the people and music that influenced her, and she describes the differences in audiences between large cities and smaller ones. She expresses her deep love for music and her need to play her music with emotion. Music performances are cut from this particular recording with Wanda Wilkomirska. Studs quotes Ray Erickson, critic from the New York Times and discusses other critiques of her work.

Studs interview with Virgil Thomson about his career as a music composer. Thomson shares his work with Gertrude Stein in operas "Mother of Us All" and "Four Saints In Three Acts." He discusses his preference for black artists. Thomson describes his work in documentary films such as "Plow That Broke the Plains." He also shares information about the cajun music "Squeeze Box" in the film "Louisiana Story." This edited version does not include the music pieces.

Ursula Oppens and Studs discuss contemporary avant-garde piano. Oppens performs pieces from contemporary composers.