The Herberger College of the Arts School of Music and the ASU Libraries are proud to welcome to the show eminent composer, percussionist and environmentalist John Luther Adams, who is in a week-long residency at Arizona State. Assistant Professor of Music History and Literature, Sabine Feisst and Christopher Mehrens, Head of the Music Library, join host Fred McIlvain for a truly interesting and enlightening discussion of John’s life and works. We will also hear excerpts from John’s compositions throughout the program.

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Adams has created a unique musical world grounded in the Northern wilderness landscapes and indigenous cultures, and in natural phenomena from the songs of birds to elemental noise of crashing glaciers. Much of his music is contemplative, expansive and pictorial. But he also composed percussive and rhythmically vigorous works inspired by Inuit drumming. Adams’ works for orchestra, ensembles, percussion and electronic media have been widely performed and recorded by prominent musicians.

Adams came to classical music through a fascination with progressive rock. After music studies at the California Institute of the Arts, he moved to Alaska where he worked as an environmentalist fighting for the preservation of pristine wilderness areas. These experiences led him to explore the ideal of “Sonic Geography,” a music of place deeply resonating with the philosophies of Deep Ecology and Bioregionalism.

Free concerts, a sound installation, roundtables, workshops and an exhibit run April 23-27.

For more information on Adams and his residency at ASU please visit:

John Luther Adams in the ASU Library Catalogue
ASU Music Library
Herberger College of the Arts Events
Sonic Geography Press Release (PDF)
John Luther Adams Homepage

You can also download his music on iTunes!

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Episode 43

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Dr. David Schildkret, chair of the choral program at the school of music and religion and philosophy bibliographer Rachel Leket-Mor join Fred McIlvain and Tammy Allgood to discuss a month long celebration of Jewish musical heritage at ASU:

Ways of Happiness, Paths of Peace

The series focuses on the music of Leonard Bernstein and Ernest Bloch, culminating in a performance of Bernstein’s Jeremiah Symphony and Bloch’s Sacred Service on April 26 featuring the combined forces of three ASU choirs, the ASU Symphony, and faculty soloists. The series includes chamber music concerts, lectures, films, a library exhibition, and a symposium in addition to the final concert.

Each year the School of Music puts on a concert combining the choir and symphony. This year the focal point of the events are Bloch and Bernstein.

In the podcast we discuss items in the exhibit such as traditional and popular “living” items provided by David from his own family including his father’s prayer shawls and falacteries. We also hear about the music of Bloch and Bernstein and provide and interesting mini-biography on Ernest Bloch (1880-1956). This highly entertaining conversation not only talks about the events here at the music library but also the practices of daily worship.

For more information visit the Ways of Happiness, Paths of Piece information page.

Episode 39