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From August 18 through 24, WNYC is bringing back some of our best music specials from the past year during Evening Music. Explore the history of Berlin cabaret through the ears of one of its greatest living proponents, singer Ute Lemper. Hear one of the world’s most unique and valuable ensembles — the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra — bring important works to the stage for the first time. Cross genres with exciting live performances from Hilary Hahn, Josh Ritter, and Rufus Wainwright. And don’t miss one of the cultural events of the year, the New York Philharmonic’s historic concert in North Korea. You can view the entire schedule of broadcast events at this link, or see what’s on tonight by going here.

Have questions or comments about the specials you’re hearing this week? Post them below.

Kaija Saariaho outside the WNYC Studios

One of the hot tickets in town this past week was La Passion de Simone at the Mostly Mozart Festival, written by composer-in-residence Kaija Saariaho. It’s a powerful story about the French mystic Simone Weil — who starved to death opposing the Nazis. Saariaho’s music is equally powerful, with stretches of orchestral color that practically evoke an atmosphere of religious fervor.

Ms. Saariaho sat down with me recently for a long-ranging interview about her role in the Mostly Mozart Festival, so I thought I’d share that interview with you here. You’ll hear a lot of “passion” coming from the composer in this interview, which covers a wide range of topics: from her early kinship with Mozart, to the challenge of being a woman composer in a field traditionally dominated by men.

photo by Anne Garland

This week and next on Evening Music, the middle movements of Mozart’s piano concertos are featured at 8:30 pm. These are the slow movements, rich in eloquent beauty; tender, contemplative moods; and a sense of calm.

We can all use more calm. Where do you find your calm? A place? A memory? A person? A book? A hope? A plan? Drawing? Music? What’s it like? Let us know in the comments section.

Today Soundcheck re-ran an interesting discussion on the effects—from calming to distressing—of music on animals. You can hear it at this link.

On Friday night’s film music feature (at 10 pm) I’ll present the two scores created for Conrad Rooks’ 1966 movie Chappaqua. It’s not extraordinary for a film to be scored twice, but it’s pretty amazing when you consider the artists involved in this case: Ravi Shankar and Ornette Coleman. And a young composer named Philip Glass was assistant to Ravi Shankar on this project—an experience that profoundly affected Glass’s music, and led him toward minimalism.

In the middle lies mystery; the quiet essence — and Mozart knew this. In his 27 concertos for piano and orchestra, Mozart’s prowess as composer, conductor, pianist and improviser were center stage. While the outer movements of his concertos displayed the composer’s dazzling technique and improvisational skills, his inner emotions were often couched in the middle movements.

Beginning August 4th and running through the 17th, David Garland and I will be presenting the middle movements of Mozart’s 27 piano concertos on Evening Music. From dusty and eccentric recordings to wildly contrasting side-by-side takes; to jazz-infused and chamber arrangements, we’ll be indulging ourselves in this undiluted, menacing and yearning core. Two consecutive piano concerto middle movements every night for the next two weeks at 8:30pm.

Weigh in: What’s your favorite Mozartean middle movement, piano concerto or otherwise? Tell us why you love a specific recording (or recordings) and we may program them as part of the festival (with credit to you, of course).

You can view the entire planned playlist at this link.

Otherwise, got any general comments or questions about Mozart? Post them here.

Photo: David Garland

Friday night features the radio broadcast of The Metropolis Ensemble and Deerhoof recorded live at Celebrate Brooklyn on July 18th. It was an exciting concert, and the broadcast begins at 8 pm. What’s it sound like?

Saturday evening you’ll hear guitar virtuosity from Django Reinhardt to John McLaughlin. What’s it sound like?

Sunday evening you’ll hear a 21st Century setting of poetry from the 1st Century BC. What’s it sound like?

I’m interested in what we perceive and understand when we listen without preconception and prejudice. What’s it sound like? How does it strike you? What’s your process of perception? Clear your mind, open your ears, and leave a comment in general or specific terms, poetic or impressionistic, descriptive or metaphorical, short or long. I’m interested in reactions that go beyond “I like it” or “I don’t like it.”

React to what you’re hearing with a few words, and indicate either what music you’re listening to, or what day/time you’re listening. I’ll read your evocative responses on the air.

Louis Langrée (Chris Lee)

This year’s Mostly Mozart Festival is themed “Loss and Transfiguration.” The festival opens with Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 and the “Song of the Earth” by Mahler. I’ll be at Lincoln Center Wednesday to co-host our live broadcast of the opening night’s program. Join me at 7pm for some pre-concert interviews and music.

The works on the program were composed more than 200 years apart, but were written while both composers were coping with the deaths of their first-born daughters. Perhaps in these compositions both men sought understanding and comfort of a world beyond life on earth.

Most of us have dealt with (or are dealing with) loss. Where do you turn to find peace, understanding and solace?
A particular piece of music… a place… visual art; literature… or religion?

Your comment may make all the difference for someone who reads it.

photo by Anne Garland

I’ve been thinking about journeys. Provoked in part by the possibility of summer travels, these thoughts were mainly inspired by the many kinds of journeys music offers: direct, meandering, familiar, unexpected, and so much more.

And I realized there are many ways to answer the questions “where have you been?” and “where do you want to go?” For example:

been to New York; want to go to Arizona
been to Beethoven; want to go to James Brown
been to Broadway; want to go to off-off-Broadway
been to Bringing Up Baby; want to go to The Dark Knight
been to confusion; want to go to serenity
been to fat; want to go to thin
been to anger; want to go to forgiveness
been to fast food; want to go to gourmet

Where have YOU been? Where do YOU want to go? Tell me in the Comments section! I’ll read your responses on the air.

Throughout the weekend on Evening Music I’ll be offering you many musical journeys. And in Friday’s first hour (7-8 pm) Louis Langrée, Music Director of the Mostly Mozart Festival, will join me to talk about the Festival which begins July 29th at Lincoln Center.