The Music Show

Alynda Segarra, the creative force behind Hurray For The Riff Raff, shares tales from their adventurous youth, from train-hopping to discovering community in New Orleans. They explore how their hardships shaped their latest album, 'The Past Is Still Alive.' Jazz drummer Laurence Pike discusses his innovative work, 'The Undreamt-Of Centre,' blending genres like modern classical and ambient. Together, they reflect on the emotional weight of music, intertwining personal narratives with artistic evolution, and share insights on crafting music during challenging times.

Performance artist, composer, and violinist Laurie Anderson once told The Music Show that she sometimes starts off thinking something is an opera, and it ends up being a potato print. Her latest album, Amelia, began life as a much longer orchestral piece that “didn’t work at all”, but at least it avoided the fate of becoming a potato print. It’s a portrait of Amelia Earhart and a sprawling, atmospheric imagining of her last flight. Laurie returns to The Music Show, with frequent contributions from her dog Willie, to talk to Andy about technology, identifying as an “artist”, and the “thrill” of her 1981 single O Superman finding a new audience with kids on TikTok. Finnish-Australian composer and cellist Simon Svoboda has bunkered down and used the darkest, coldest time of year in Finland to write suite of music KAAMOS. Each piece is inspired by a different element of winter (like mist, frost, smoke, light) and blends his cello with his soaring falsetto. He speaks to Andrew Ford about the healthy state of music in Scandinavia and the complexities of writing minimalist music. 

Arnold Schoenberg’s music tore a hole in the fabric of the twentieth century. Over the course of his life, he charted a new course through expressionism, atonality, and ultimately to the invention of twelve tone serialism. As the father of the Second Viennese School, he’s been both cursed and adored (often at the same time) by the people who’ve taken up his scores – you’ll hear quite a lot of the adoration and no small amount of the cursing on this episode of The Music Show. Danaë Killian, who is about to perform his complete solo piano works, and Jeremy Eichler, who wrote about Schoenberg in his prize-winning book Time’s Echo, join Andy, and you’ll hear voices including Pierre Boulez, singers Tabatha McFadyen, Merlyn Quaife and Jane Manning, conductors Simone Young and Roger Benedict, pianist Simon Tedeschi, violinists Jack Liebeck and Michael Barenboim, and author Joy Calico from The Music Show’s archives.Danaë Killian performs Schoenberg’s complete solo piano music at Tempo Rubato in Naarm/Melbourne on 13 September.Jeremy Eichler’s Time’s Echo is published by Alfred A. Knopf and Faber, newly in paperback. Music heard in the show:1899 - Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4 Artist: Amichai Grosz; Maxim Rysanov; Jens Peter Maintz; Janine Jansen; Boris Brovtsyn; Torleif ThedéenAlbum: Janine Jansen plays Schoenberg & SchubertLabel: Decca 47835511905 – String Quartet No. 1, Op. 7Artist: Julliard String QuartetAlbum: Schoenberg: String Quartet No. 1 Label: Sony G010004560203F1908 - String Quartet No. 2, Op. 10 Artist: Amaryllis Quartet, Katharina PersickeAlbum: YellowLabel: Genuin GEN164381909 - Three Piano Pieces, Op. 11Artist: Danaë KillianAlbum: Arnold Schoenberg - Complete Works for Piano SoloLabel: Move Records MCD513 1911 - Six Little Pieces for Piano, Op. 19 Artist: Danaë KillianAlbum: Arnold Schoenberg - Complete Works for Piano SoloLabel: Move Records MCD513 1911 - Gurrelieder Artist: Philharmonia Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus, Philharmonia Voices, Esa-Pekka SalonenAlbum: Schoenberg - GurreliederLabel: Signum SIGCD1731912 - Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21Artist: Patricia Kopatchinskaja (violin/sprechgesang), Meesun Hong (violin), Julia Gallego (flute), Reto Bieri (clarinet), Thomas Kaufmann (cello), Joonas Ahonen (piano), Marko Milenkovic (viola)Album: Schoenberg – Pierrot LunaireLabel: Alpha ALPHA722Artist: Mary Thomas (soprano/reciter), London Sinfonietta, David AthertonAlbum: Schoenberg – Pierrot Lunaire and SerenadeLabel: Decca 42562621923 - Five Pieces for Piano, Op. 23 Artist: Danaë KillianAlbum: Arnold Schoenberg - Complete Works for Piano SoloLabel: Move Records MCD513 1923 - Suite for Piano, Op. 25 Artist: Danaë KillianAlbum: Arnold Schoenberg - Complete Works for Piano SoloLabel: Move Records MCD513 1929/1931 - Two Pieces for Piano, Op. 33 Artist: Danaë KillianAlbum: Arnold Schoenberg - Complete Works for Piano SoloLabel: Move Records MCD513 1930 – Accompaniment to a film scene, Op. 34 Artist: BBC Symphony Orchestra, Pierre BoulezAlbum: Pierre Boulez Edition – Schoenberg ILabel: Sony G010001828334P1936 - Violin Concerto, Op. 36 Artist: Michael Barenboim, Vienna Philharmonic, Pierre BoulezAlbum: Schoenberg: Violin and Piano ConcertosLabel: Peral 4811613Artist: Jack Liebeck, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew GourlayAlbum: Schoenberg and Brahms – Violin ConcertosLabel: Orchid Classics ORC1001291942 - Piano Concerto, Op. 42 Artist: Simon TedeschiPerformed in The Music Show studio1947 - A Survivor from Warsaw, Op. 46 Artist: Gunther Reich (speaker), BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Pierre BoulezAlbum: A Survivor from WarsawLabel: Sony M358821949 - Phantasy for Violin and Piano, Op. 47Artist: Patricia Kopatchinskaja (violin), Joonas Ahonen (piano)Album: Schoenberg – Pierrot LunaireLabel: Alpha ALPHA722Interviews heard in the show:Jeremy EichlerDanaë Killian Simone Young (2024)Tabatha McFadyen (2022)Jane Manning (1996)Merlyn Quaife (2003)Roger Benedict (2024)Pierre Boulez (2001)Michael Barenboim (2014)Jack Liebeck (2022)Joy Calico (2015)The Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra CountryTechnical production by Bethany Stewart, Nathan Turnbull and Tegan Nicholls

Jazz has always been about innovation and collaboration, and saxophonist and composer Sandy Evans has excelled on both counts for nearly four decades. She returns to The Music Show studio to perform live with an eclectic trio—the bass trombone of Adrian Sherriff and Suresh Vaidyanathan's ghatam (Indian clay drum). Sandy reflects on a life filled with musical conversations and why she's re-releasing her old albums for the streaming generation. How do you make historical speeches something that people will actually want to sit down and listen to? You set them to music. Composer Robert Davidson has teamed up with pianist Sonya Lifschitz to create a series of live musical portraits that weave archival audio from women like Frida Kahlo, Greta Thunberg, Michelle Obama and Patti Smith with piano music and video projections. Both the composer and performer will be on to talk about the inherent musicality of speech and how the work can breathe new life into figures from the past. So Much Myself: Piano Portraits is on at Brisbane Festival on 21 September.Sandy Evans performs with Adrian Sherriff and Suresh Vaidyanathan at Local Edition on 7 September, Festival of the Winds in Bondi on 8 September and at JazzLab in Melbourne on 15 September.Sandy Evans Trio (with Brett Hirst and Toby Hall) perform at Church St Studios on 30 September and at Inner West Jazz Fest on 20 October. Music in the program:Title: So Much Myself (Nina Simone)Artist: Sonya LifschitzComposer: Robert DavidsonLive recording courtesy of the composerTitle: One PlanetArtist: Sandy Evans, Suresh Vaidyanathan, Adrian SherriffComposer: Sandy EvansRecorded live in The Music Show studioTitle: Improvised percussion duetArtist: Adrian Sherriff, Suresh VaidyanathanComposer: Adrian Sherriff, Suresh VaidyanathanRecorded live in The Music Show studioTitle: Ritual BurningArtist: Sandy Evans Trio (Sandy Evans, Brett Hirst, Toby Hall)Composer: Sandy EvansAlbum: The Running Tide (due 27 September)Label: IndependentTitle: To Connect (Michelle Obama)Artist: Sonya LifschitzComposer: Robert DavidsonLive recording courtesy of the composerTitle: Sweet Spring (E. E. Cummings)Artist: Sonya LifschitzComposer: Robert DavidsonAlbum: Stalin's PianoLabel: IndependentTitle: Portrait of Diego (Frida Kahlo)Artist: Sonya LifschitzComposer: Robert DavidsonLive recording courtesy of the composerTitle: Susan SontagArtist: Sonya LifschitzComposer: Robert DavidsonLive recording courtesy of the composerTitle: Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21: XII. GalgenliedComposer: Arnold SchoenbergArtist: Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Thomas Kaufmann, Reto Bieri, Júlia Gállego, Joonas Ahonen, Meesun HongAlbum: Schoenberg: Pierrot LunaireLabel: ALPHA Classics ALPHA 722Technical production by Nathan Turnbull, Tegan Nicholls and Beth StewartThe Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

Composer Larry Sitsky is a charming sort of thorn in the side of the Australian music scene, and he’s about to turn 90. In this conversation recorded at the 2024 Canberra International Music Festival, he doesn’t hold back. New York based trumpeter Chloe Rowlands divides her time between playing with art brass quartet the Westerlies, and with groups like Fleet Foxes and the 8-Bit Big Band. She’s visiting both edges of Australia when she collaborates with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Sydney Conservatorium’s Equity in Jazz Program. Larry Sitsky’s The Compleat Busoni is published by ANU Press.Chloe Rowlands performs a free concert at Sydney Conservatorium of Music on Thursday 5 September, 6.30-8.30pm. Chloe performs two shows in Perth with WA Youth Jazz Orchestra, in the Progressions 2024 Showcase and at The Ellington Jazz Club. Music heard in the show:Title: When All of This is OverComposer: Chloe RowlandsArtist: The WesterliesAlbum: Songbook Vol. 2Label: The Westerlies MusicTitle: Piano Concerto No. 1 – The Twenty-Two Paths of the Tarot; vi. The LoversComposer: Larry SitskyArtist: Roger Woodward, David Porcelijn, Adelaide Symphony OrchestraAlbum: A Concerto CollectionLabel: ABC Classics 481 1322Title: Sonatina Seconda Composer: Ferruccio BusoniArtist: Marc-André Hamelin (piano)Album: Busoni Late Piano MusicLabel: Hyperion CDA67951Title: Violin Concerto No. 3 ‘I Ching’ – The Eight Kua (Trigrams); i. WaterComposer: Larry SitskyArtist: Jan Sedivka, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Christopher Lyndon-GeeAlbum: Australian ConcertosLabel: Australian Music Unit AMU4Title: Arch (Fantasia No. 4)Composer: Larry SitskyArtist: Larry Sitsky (piano)Album: Contemporary Australian PianoLabel: Move M3066Title: Blue and Red HorsesComposer: Adriene LenkerArtist: The WesterliesAlbum: Songbook Vol. 1Label: The Westerlies MusicTitle: Tifa’s ThemeComposer: Nobuo UematsuArtist: The 8-Bit Big Band, Chloe Rowlands (flugelhorn)Album: Album 4 – Game ChangerLabel: 8-Bit Title: LaurieComposer: Chloe RowlandsArtist: The WesterliesAlbum: Wherein Lies the GoodLabel: The Westerlies MusicTechnical production by Emrys Cronin, Isabella Tropiano, and John JacobsThe Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

Romano Crevici has been playing violins made by Harry Vatiliotis for decades. Now drawing to the end of their respective careers, Harry has made one final instrument, which will be Romano's last violin too. The process, challenged by sore joints, thin skin, and Harry's caring responsibilities to the love of his life Maria, have been captured in a moving film called The Last Violin by Carla Thackrah. Romano and Carla are in the studio with the titular violin.Andrew Robertson's The Journeyman Suite is music about making music—documenting the realities and career arc of a jobbing musician. Big band music presents big possibilities for colour and texture and the composer tells Andrew Ford about writing for this intergenerational band, and why he added a string quartet.The Last Violin is being screened on SBS on Sunday 15 September and will be available on SBS On Demand after that.You can contact Romano Crivici here if you own an instrument made by Harry Vatiliotis. AR Big Band's The Journeyman Suite is out now on ABC Jazz. Romano Crivici and Carla Thackrah with the last violin.Music in this program:Title: String Quartet No. 4 ‘Undercurrents’Artist: Elektra String QuartetComposer: Romano CriviciAlbum: Ebb & FlowLabel: ABC Classics ABCL0015DTitle: Let it Go Artist: Allie OsborneComposer: Romano CriviciAlbum: The Vatiliotis Collection: music from The Last ViolinLabel: No-Self RecordsTitle: Ecstasy of CloudsArtist: Elektra String QuartetComposer: Romano CriviciAlbum: Flat EarthLabel: ABC Classics 4657042Titles: Blow; Torment; The one less travelled by...; The BalladierArtist: AR Big Band & String QuartetComposer: Andrew RobertsonAlbum: The Journeyman Suite Label: ABC Jazz ABCJ0031DTitle: Symphony for Big Band; 3rd Movement Artist: AR Big BandComposer: Andrew RobertsonAlbum: The Journeyman Suite Label: ABC Jazz ABCJ0031DTechnical production by Emrys Cronin, Isabella Tropiano, and John JacobsThe Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

Good times and bum times, she’s seen them all and she’s here: Geraldine Turner, lynchpin of the Australian music theatre scene from 1970s repertory to the current run of The Mousetrap, reflects on her massive career (so far), her love of Sondheim, and Judy Garland.Geraldine Turner is performing in The Mousetrap until 15 September. Music heard in the program:Title: I’m Still Here (Follies)Composer: Stephen SondheimArtist: Geraldine TurnerAlbum: Great Australian Voices: Geraldine TurnerLabel: Désirée Records - GAV 008Title: Down With LoveComposer: music Harold Arlen, lyrics Yip HarburgArtist: Geraldine TurnerAlbum: Great Australian Voices: Geraldine TurnerLabel: Désirée Records - GAV 008Title: All That Jazz (Chicago)Composer: music John Kander, lyrics Fred EbbArtist: Geraldine TurnerAlbum: Great Australian Voices: Geraldine TurnerLabel: Désirée Records - GAV 008Title: Sondheim Medley: The Little Things You Do Together (Company) - We're Gonna Be Alright (Do I Hear A Waltz-) - Could I Leave You (Follies)Composer: Stephen Sondheim, Richard RogersArtist: Geraldine TurnerAlbum: Great Australian Voices: Geraldine TurnerLabel: Désirée Records - GAV 008Title: It Never Was YouComposer: music Kurt Weill, lyrics Maxwell AndersonArtist: Judy GarlandAlbum: That’s Entertainment!Label: Capitol Records - CDP 7 48426 2Title: Being Alive (Company)Composer: Stephen SondheimArtist: Geraldine TurnerAlbum: Great Australian Voices: Geraldine TurnerLabel: Désirée Records - GAV 008The Music Show Is produced on Gadigal and Gundungurra CountryTechnical production by Bethany Stewart and Nathan Turnbull

Friend of The Music Show Kate Fagan’s new book of poetry is entitled Song in the Grass and it’s full of music. She returns to the show to talk about the book, the relationship between her musical and poetic writing, and her enduring connection to folk artists Peggy Seeger and Lisa O’Neill. The ABC’s iconic old News theme is new again: a new version by sound designer David McDonald puts a fresh lick of paint on Peter Wall and the late Tony Ansell’s 1980s bulletin soundtrack. David and Peter join Andy to talk about what makes a news theme work. Song in the Grass is published by Giramondo Books. Kate launches the book at Margaret Whitlam Galleries in Parramatta on 29 August. Music heard in the show: Title: Majestic FanfareArtist: Sydney Symphony Orchestra/Stuart ChallenderComposer: Charles WilliamsAlbum: Classic ABC TV & Radio ThemesLabel: ABC Classics 4724462Title: ABC News ThemeArtist: Tony Ansell & Peter WallComposer: Tony Ansell, Peter WallAlbum: Classic ABC TV & Radio ThemesLabel: ABC Classics 4724462Title: JJJ News ThemeComposer: Paul McKercher, John JacobsCourtesy of Triple JTitle: Gotta Get Home By MidnightArtist: Peggy SeegerComposer: Peggy SeegerAlbum: First FarewellLabel: Red Grape MusicTitle: All Of This Is ChanceArtist: Lisa O’NeillComposer: Lisa O’NeillAlbum: All Of This Is ChanceLabel: Rough Trade RecordsTitle: ABC News ThemeArtist: Tony Ansell & Peter WallComposer: Tony Ansell, Peter WallAlbum: Classic ABC TV & Radio ThemesLabel: ABC Classics 4724462Title: ABC News Theme (Pendulum Remix)Artist: Pendulum, Tony Ansell & Peter WallComposer: Tony Ansell & Peter WallAlbum: Pendulum Remix (single)Label: single releaseTitle: ABC News Theme (2024)Composer: Tony Ansell, Peter Wall and David McDonaldCourtesy of the ABCThe Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra CountryTechnical production by Bethany Stewart and Nathan Turnbull

Harnessing looping pedals, percussion and vocal manipulation, Tune-Yards make a very big sound for a core membership of two people. It's been ten years since the experimental pop project released their third album Nikki Nack and creepy hit Water Fountain. Songwriter and singer Merrill Garbus is on The Music Show to talk about the duo's complex rhythms, vocal athleticism, and how to play with words.What does it take to start your own record label in this economy? Andrew Ford chats to two people who did just this—Coco Eke was involved in the early days of First Nations label Bad Apples and pianist and composer Nat Bartsch's new label Amica focuses on 'kind' music. We find out what exactly a record label does, why they still have a role in the age of streaming, and what success can look like for an independent artist.Nat Bartsch launches her new album Forever Changed on Saturday 16 November.Tune-Yards' 10th anniversary Deluxe Edition of Nikki Nack is out now via 4AD/Remote Control Records.And you can find more information about the Bush Music Fund here.Music in the program:Title: Heart AttackComposer: Merrill GarbusArtist: Tune-YardsAlbum: I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private LifeLabel: 4AD 0052Title: Water FountainComposer: Merrill Garbus, Nate BrennerArtist: Tune-YardsAlbum: Nikki NackLabel: 4AD CAD3414CDTitle: Water Fountain (Live)Composer: Merrill Garbus, Nate Brenner, arranged by Kristopher FultonArtist: Vancouver Youth ChoirTitle: BiznessComposer: Merrill Garbus, Nate BrennerArtist: Tune-YardsAlbum: w h o k i l lLabel: 4AD CAD3106Title: Hey LifeComposer: Merrill Garbus, Nate BrennerArtist: Tune-YardsAlbum: Nikki NackLabel: 4AD CAD3414CDTitle: PowaComposer: Merrill GarbusArtist: Tune-YardsAlbum: w h o k i l lLabel: 4AD CAD3106Title: hypnotizedComposer: Merrill Garbus, Nate BrennerArtist: Tune-YardsAlbum: sketchy.Label: 4AD 4AD0309Title: Hope (for orchestra)Composer: Nat BartschArtist: Budapest Art Orchestra, conducted by Peter PejtsikAlbum: (Single)Label: Amica AMI006Title: Na​-​kalamandjardaComposer: Rona Lawrence and Jodie KellArtist: Ripple Effect BandAlbum: (Single)Label: IndependentThe Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Turrbal and Yuggera CountryTechnical production by Russell Stapleton and Bethany Stewart

Legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock shares fond memories of collaborations with icons like Miles Davis and reflects on jazz as a path to peace. Tenzin Choegyal, a Tibetan multi-instrumentalist, discusses his album 'Whispering Sky,' born from a unique, experimental recording journey across continents. They explore the power of mantras in Tibetan culture, the significance of musical collaboration, and how music can transcend cultural barriers. This heartfelt conversation beautifully intertwines personal stories and global sounds, celebrating music's unifying spirit.