Sep 8th, 2007 · An often-overlooked piano work of Beethoven has a starring role in a brand new play in Washington, D.C. Characters in 33 Variations include Beethoven himself, and a 21st century musicologist obsessed with the composer's "Diabelli Variations."
Sep 29th, 2006 · Commentator and musicologist Bruce Nemerov introduces us to Sister Ola Mae Terrell. She died earlier this year at the age of 95. For 75 years, she sang her own gospel compositions on street corners in the South, using her music to spread her Holiness faith. Bruce Nemerov, the editor of the book Lost Delta Found, lives in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
May 23rd, 2006 · One day, musicologist John Work happened to record an obscure street singer's blues talent. Discovering that field recording leads commentator Bruce Nemerov to reflect on how the blues were marketed before World War II.
Sep 23rd, 2005 · Noah Adams speaks with University of Memphis musicologist David Evans about songs inspired by the Mississippi Delta floods of 1927. We listen to Lonnie Johnson's "Broken Levee Blues" and Charlie Patton's "High Water Everywhere."
Feb 4th, 2005 · An unfinished piano concerto by the 18-year-old Beethoven was found in the British Museum last year. Reconstructed by Dutch musicologist Cees Nieuwenhuizen, the work premiered Feb. 1 in Rotterdam.
Jan 24th, 2005 · One of the great composers of the early 20th century, Béla Bartók was also one of the founders of the field of ethnomusicology. Hungarian musicologist Peter Laki joins NPR's Fred Child to explore the folk and classical elements in Bartok's music.
Jan 2nd, 2005 · One of the most popular songs in Ukraine today is a new song of protest inspired by the recent election demonstrations. Legendary folk singer, songwriter and musicologist Oscar Brand talks about the tradition of protest music.
Dec 10th, 2004 · In the new Oxford History of Western Music, musicologist Richard Taruskin explores the music of Europe and America from the rise of musical notation in the eighth century to the beginning of the 21st. He joins NPR's Fred Child for a series on five pivotal moments in the history of Western music.