“The older the fiddle, the sweeter the tune,” as they say in Ireland. Well, the age-old folk music of the Emerald Isle is still inspiring new composers today.
This Saturday on Second Inversion: luck of the Irish. We’ll hear music from the rolling hills and ramshackle pubs of Ireland. Pour yourself a pint and join us as we toast the Emerald Isle, with music inspired by the sounds, spirit, and folklore of Ireland.
To listen, tune in to KING FM on Saturday, March 20 at 9pm PT.
Music is all about contrast: light vs. dark, fast vs. slow, loud vs. soft, bold vs. subdued. Often times the most beautiful, most visceral moments are found at these two extremes—but sometimes, it’s the moments between them that leave the most lasting impression.
The composer Robert Honstein explores the full spectrum of sound in his new piece Middle Ground for solo violin and electronics. Cast in three movements—“Too Far,” “Too Close,” and “Bridging the Gap”—the piece searches for a middle ground amid opposites. Airy, ethereal melodies are contrasted against gritty, snarling rhythms, the music growing in tension and drama before finding the most human dimension between them.
We’re thrilled to premiere a brand new video for Robert Honstein’s Middle Ground, performed by violinist Kate Stenberg and captured by Four/Ten Media.
Robert Honstein’s Middle Ground is out now on Other Minds Records. For more details, click here.
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate women’s achievements—and also a time to think critically about what all of us can do to create a more equitable world.
On this Saturday’s episode of Second Inversion, we’re celebrating women’s voices. We’ll hear music from women who have helped shape, inspire, and expand the world of classical music. From the modal musings of Hildegard von Bingen to the ear-expanding experiments of Pauline OIiveros and the vibrant, cross-cultural folk songs of Nathalie Joachim, we’ll hear music from women who have made a mark on classical music history. Plus, we’ll talk about why women composers have been historically underrepresented in classical music—and what you can do to help.
To listen, tune in to KING FM on Saturday, March 13 at 9pm PT.
Have you ever looked at a piece of art and wondered: What would this painting sound like?
Well so have a lot of composers! On this Saturday’s episode of Second Inversion, we’ll hear music inspired by famous works of art. We’re taking a stroll through a sonic art museum—from the splatter-painted canvases of Jackson Pollock to the meditative hues of Mark Rothko and the visceral street art of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
To listen, tune in to KING FM on Saturday, March 6 at 9pm PT.
Some music is meant to be the main event: it demands your full focus and attention. And some music—is just for ambiance.
The term “furniture music” was coined by the composer Erik Satie in the early 20th century to describe music that blends into the atmosphere of a room. It’s music with color, texture, and character—but no specific storyline. On this Saturday’s episode of Second Inversion, stretch out on the couch, make yourself comfortable, and join us for some furniture music.
To listen, tune in to KING FM on Saturday, February 27 at 9pm PT.