Studs Terkel sits down to interview American Violinist Isaac Stern. Stern performs for Terkel on the radio.

Listening to the Living Music Collection

Lino Chavez and his Mexican Folk Ensemble discuss, through a translator, Mexican culture and music and perform their song "El Jarabe" at 2:50, "El Tilingo" at 13:50, "Maria Chuchena" at 23:05, "El Cascabel" at 29:31, "La Bamba" at 38:39, and "El Ahualulco" at 47:55. These songs have been removed from this recording.

Studs Terkel and Lincoln Mayorga discuss the evolution of American popular piano music with Mayorga playing examples.

Licia Albanese discusses her performance preparations, advice to young new opera singers, the conductor techniques from Fausto Cleva, and the late Arturo Toscanini.

Licia Albanese discusses her performance preparations, advice to young new opera singers, the conductor techniques from Fausto Cleva, and the late Arturo Toscanini.

Studs interviews Leonard Sorkin about his career as a violinist. They discuss his training, which began in early childhood and who he studied under. Sorkin plays a few short tunes to demonstrate his art, and one was his childhood favorite of "Allegro" by Joseph Fiocco. Sorkin names Jascha Heifetz as one who he admired all his life and shares the sounds and names of others who have influenced him. He explains to Studs how the Fine Arts Quartet members change to adapt to new players but the quartet sound remains the same.

Lena Horne talks about her memories of Paul Robeson and Billie Holiday, how her skin color affected her career, and her relationship with her audience.

Studs Terkel interviews Lawrence "Bud" Freeman about his career in jazz.

Studs interviews Bud Freeman about his career in Jazz and his book, "Working" as well as his album, "Complete Bud Freeman." Freeman shares stories about his dad and brother during his childhood. He discusses various songs from his album and shares stories about his interactions with other jazz musicians. Studs reads a few passages from Freeman's book. They discuss how Freeman's creative practices and how his music has changed over the years. Musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Studs interviews Lawrence Freeman about his career in jazz. Studs notes that he first interviewed Freeman in 1939 as his first guest on his radio program with WGES. Freeman shares the names and events of influences in his life. He describes his interactions with other jazz musicians throughout his career and shares some stories about his brother, father, and childhood. Studs quotes Mark Miller of the Toronto Globe, music critic, for what he notes about Freeman.