Because composers rule, we’re starting a new tradition of publishing a post honoring a different composer each week. First up is William Grant Still, an African-American composer and Salon97 fan favorite! b. May 11, 1895 in Woodville, Mississippi d. December 3, 1978 in Los Angeles, California The first African-American to conduct a major symphony orchestra [...]

I found an amazing video on Mashable yesterday. American composer Eric Whitacre spliced 250 videos together to create a virtual choir. Below is the YouTube video performance of his work, Lux Aurumque. Breathtaking.

So check out this dude rocking the cellphones. WOMP.

Piano Stairs

The second season of Keeping Score is in full swing! It’s a series of three one-hour specials chronicling the works (or a work) of some fantastic composers. This season’s composers are Hector Berlioz, Charles Ives, and Dmitri Shostakovich. The series is really cool and there are multiple PBS air times, so do check it out! [...]