Thomas Wikman discusses Music of the Baroque with Studs Terkel. They also discuss composers, musical talent in Chicago, musical instruments, opera, and the history of Baroque music.

Author and pianist Russell Sherman discusses his book “Piano Pieces” and the philosophical concepts associated with listening to and playing music. Sherman plays a selection of compositions in the studio.

Richard Vikstrom discusses his farewell performance. Richard Vikstrom also discusses classical music, religious music, and his early life. Includes an earlier interview with Richard Vikstrom.

While inside a monastery, John Griffin wrote his book, "The Devil Rides Outside". Griffin talks about the 1st half of his book being about the inside of a monastery. He also talks about how hearing music influences his writing.

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.

Dr. Guy Duckworth and his students sing and play, "America." Duckworth talks about the importance of knowing how to learn to play the piano. The 11-year-old students first play a plain or harmonic version of "America', followed by other versions with more chords that add variety to "America."

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.

Discussing folk music with folk musician Pete Seeger. Pete Seeger discusses his life and career. Includes songs sung by Pete Seeger, "East Virginia", "Sticking With The Union", "Old Blue", "Jesu, Meine Freude", "We Shall Overcome", "The Draft", "Sailin' Up, Sailin' Down", and "Precious Friend". Included is an instrumental song played by Pete Seeger.

Danilo Dolci discusses his life in Italy, his book "The Man Who Plays Alone", architecture, agriculture, social activism, his inspirations, and his career. Tom Cornell translates for Danilo Dolci. Includes at the end of the program an Italian song by Jerre Mangione and an Italian song called "Bella Ciao".

Cathy Berberian reflects on the evolution of her avant-garde singing style and her work with various contemporary music composers. Includes an interview with John Cage. Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, offensive language. Rather than remove this content, we present it in the context of twentieth-century social history to acknowledge and learn from its impact and to inspire awareness and discussion.

Studs interviews Carlo Curly, a RCA recording classical organist. Includes an interview from two years earlier with Curly giving a commentary about Virgil Fox, his greatest influence. Curly describes his family background in music. He explains in great detail the history of the organ, how it is made, and the music written for it. He explains the difference in music between pipe organs and electronic organs. Curly talks about his experience playing in Japan. He speaks of Bach and Mendelson and their influence on the organ as a classical instrument.

Russian composer Alexander Tcherepnin discusses his early upbringing, training, and composing bagatelles in Saint Petersburg, as well as the influence of his composer father, Benois family relatives, Russian/Asian/European cultural influence, electronic music.