David Serkin Ludwig: Expanding the Language of Music

Composer and Dean and Director of the Music Division at The Juilliard School, David Serkin Ludwig talks about the opportunities and challenges at The Juilliard School, with its 850 plus students in music, drama, and dance. He discusses issues of equity and diversity at the school and in “classical” music as well as his longstanding commitment to a more inclusive music community and the importance of creating a vibrant culture of new music.

We also talk about his own musical lineage which goes back seven generations and includes his grandfather Rudolph Serkin and his uncle Peter Serkin—both extraordinary pianists. We discuss his composing-- what inspires him, how he works—his teaching, and how each energizes the other. We chat about the upcoming season at Juilliard (some 700 events-- most free or at a reduced rate) and his vision for the school five years down the road.

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