Meet the Composer

14/10/2024

On what would have been her 72nd birthday, revisiting Kaija Saariaho's episode of my old podcast Meet the Composer, from 2015. Interviewing Kaija still remains a highlight of my adult life. What an inspiration -- a formidable creator, and a formidable human.

Kaija Saariaho's music evokes all sorts of natural sounds, the kinds of complex, white noise-y sounds that we often tune out - wind rustling through trees, or waves hitting the shore.

25/06/2020

Watch with us tonight at 9pm!!

We are pleased to co-present the WORLD PREMIERE of Music for Hard Times, a film and album by composer Danny Clay, filmmaker Jon Fischer, and the guitar and percussion duo The Living Earth Show.

The Living Earth Show's Andy Meyerson explains, "Two days before SF's official shelter in place order went into effect, we began working with composer Danny Clay on an album/virtual production designed to examine a fundamental research question: 'is it possible for us to use the tools of our discipline--classical art music--to make people feel better?' The end result, a composition and film called Music for Hard Times, is designed to offer a sonic resource for comfort and calming, and is one of the most beautiful pieces we have been fortunate enough to perform."

Music for Hard Times is co-presented today by Living Music with Nadia Sirota, New Music Bay Area, and the Center for New Music. Future presentations of Music for Hard Times include San Francisco Performances, and UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive.

29/05/2020

Watch with us in five!!

Episode 21 of Living Music: Pirate Radio Edition — Tonight! Our twenty-first episode! Celebrate our coming-of-age with prepared piano, electronics, and Lagavulin from Reykjavik, role-swapping, caffeinated string hockets from Brooklyn, and the loveliest, red wine-fueled vocal sentiments from elsewhere in Reykjavik! It’s a festive, late-spring concert on two continents, airing tonight at 9pm eastern and 6pm pacific! Starring Daníel Bjarnason, Paul Wiancko, Ayane Kozasa, and Ólöf Arnalds! Right here on Facebook Live.

20/05/2020

Watch with us tonight! at 9 et / 6 pt

Episode 18 of Living Music: Pirate Radio Edition — Tonight!! Jessica Meyer rips it up, This Mess (Nico Muhly & Michael Caterisano) show us their plugins, and David Garland lets a magic ✨ guitar sing! It all happens tonight at 9pm eastern / 6pm pacific right here on Facebook Live! Make your favorite politician-themed cocktail and pull up a chair! More info at livingmusicshow.com

14/05/2020

Watch with us tonight at 9pm eastern!! Episode 17 of Living Music: Pirate Radio Edition —Tonight’s show oozes NYC magic! Living Music teamed up with and to bring you world premieres and one-of-a-kind collabs! Nathalie Joachim debuts a gorgeous piece created with Special Music School 10th graders, Judd Greenstein premieres a phenomenal and impressive Zoom-enabled work for , and the vocal genius Emily King shares three songs co-written with yMusic. It’s all TONIGHT at 9pm eastern on Facebook live. Tune in and watch with us!

07/05/2020

Hey folks, thanks as-ever for listening!! MTC ended three years ago, but you can check out Nadia's new project, Living Music, available now in quarantine beta-release: facebook.com/livingmusicwithnadiasirota
Episodes of Living Music: Pirate Radio Edition air on Facebook Live Tuesday and Thursday nights at 9pm eastern. Stream all episodes at livingmusicshow.com

Living Music with Nadia Sirota is a podcast and concert series, hosted by Peabody Award-winner Nadia

12/07/2017

Now! Enjoy some mid-day maverick music from Columbia University in the City of New York's George Lewis, and the inimitable Pauline Oliveros, with cellist Mariel Roberts.

11/07/2017

Nadia is a smart girl! 📻🎻✨

When many of us think of classical music, names like Beethoven and Mozart spring to mind; legendary composers who died 190 and 226 years…

10/07/2017

Exclusive snippets from Paul Simon's performance with yMusic at the Eaux Claires festival! Pearls of creative wisdom! Crazy bonkers Harry Partch instruments! Soggy boots covered in Wisconsin mud! The alphabet!

Today's episode is A. LOT.

Paul Simon has always been attracted to new kinds of sounds. His most recent work has brought him into the world of contemporary classical music.

07/07/2017

Nadia's featured in next week's New York Magazine! [as is a lil' ~hint~ about next week's episode of Meet the Composer]

A violist with a mission.

22/06/2017

Ever craved a speedy quick history of all of classical music told by Nadia? YES. HERE.

15/06/2017

Why do musicians break their toys?