Since January 2005, Music From Other Minds has presented new and unusual music by innovative composers and performers from around the world. Produced weekly for KALW 91.7 FM San Francisco by Charles Amirkhanian and the Other Minds staff, and aired at 8pm every Sunday, Music From Other Minds aims to open up radio listeners to experimental classical work by living and recent composers. We bring you the latest in contemporary music from around the world, and some glimpses into the past, to give a context for today’s music.
Follow this link for information and track listings from programs prior to program 501.
Follow this link to download a complete list of works played on MFOM up to program 702.
Previous Programs
Program 631: Conversations with "Blue" Gene Tyranny (1945-2020)
On this Music from Other Minds, Liam Herb presents a conversation with the late “Blue” Gene Tyranny, who passed away at the age of 75 on Saturday, December 12, 2020. Compiled for an oral history of Tyranny in 2019, the interview topics span the composers life from early childhood, his work with the ONCE Group, his collaborations with composer Robert Ashley, his recordings, and his struggles with Charles Bonnet Syndrome.
Program 630: Valis
On this Music from Other Minds, Randall Wong presents works by Tod Machover: VALIS, an opera based on the novel by Philip K. Dick, and works for “hypercello,” strings, and computer.
Program 629: Kosmos
On this Music from Other Minds, Randall Wong presents some space age music from East Germany as well as works inspired by Andrei Tarkovsky’s Solaris.
Program 628: Interspecies Music
On this Music from Other Minds, Liam Herb plays Jim Nollman‘s Thanksgiving Day interspecies work “Turkey Song” and other works made with animals as musical collaborators. Also on the program, new releases by Bill Fontana and Charles Shere.
Program 627: Golijov, Piazzolla, and Pärt
Program 627 spotlights a new work by Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov. Commissioned and performed by the Silk Road Ensemble, Golijov’s new work “Falling Out of Time” is an 80-minute song cycle dealing with grief. Based on a book by David Grossman about a grief-stricken father who undertakes a journey to connect with his dead child. We also hear from Argentinian tango master Astor Piazzolla, as played by the Kronos Quartet, and by the composer himself on the bandoneón, a type of concertina which originated in Germany and became popular in Argentina and Uruguay. And we end with quiet sad work for solo piano by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.
Program 626: New Releases by the JACK Quartet
On this Music from Other Minds, Randall Wong presents two contrasting, newly recorded works by the JACK Quartet by composers John Luther Adams and Clara Iannotta.
Program 625: Election Special
On this Music from Other Minds, Liam Herb presents a special Election Edition of Music from Other Minds featuring political works by Quilapayún, Fredric Rzewski, Donald Miller, and Moor Mother, as well as a meditative electroacoustic work by Judith Hamann.
Program 624: Scary Music for Scary Times
This program tries to provide scary music for scary times. Long electric guitar-based works by Swans and Brent Miller frame a variety of other artists that provide some truly alarming music, like that of Tanya Tagaq. We’ll also hear some improvised music from Fred Frith and Hans Koch that provides unexpected sonic thrills, a track from Elliot Sharp and Carbon that takes rock in some alarming directions. A collaboration between Elliott and Christian Marclay, and cameos from Krautrock band Cluster , experimental provacateurs Psychic TV, and doomed chanteuse Nico fill out the program. And a work for violin and piano by Arvo Pärt lets us end with our sanity intact.
Program 623: Karl-Birger Blomdahl's "Aniara"
On this Music from Other Minds, Randall Wong Plays what is probably the first science fiction opera, Karl-Birger Blomdahl’s opera, Aniara.
Program 622: La Monte Young at 85
On the Next Music from Other Minds, Liam Herb celebrates La Monte Young‘s 85th Birthday by exploring some of his well known and lesser known pieces, interviews with the composer, and much more. Also on the program, works by Terry Jennings, Terry Riley, Jon Gibson, and Julius Eastman.
