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 687: From the Archive: Éliane Radigue on KPFA (1980)
On this Music from Other Minds, an archival rebroadcast of Charles Amirkhanian’s 1980 interview with Éliane Radigue, who celebrated her 90th birthday on January 24th of this year.
Tune in to hear live in-studio performances of Chry-ptus and the world premiere of parts one and three of Tryptic. Also on the program, conversations with the composer about her use of time in her work, her work with Pierre Schaeffer and Pierre Henry, and her thoughts on electronic music in the concert hall.
Program 686: John Cage
Tonight, we’ll feature two very long works by one of the spiritual fathers of modern experimental music, John Cage (1912-1992). We begin with a composition from 1963 called Variations IV. We’ll listen to both sides of the vinyl record that contains volume 2 of the over 6 hours of recordings from this site specific work, executed by Cage and his collaborator David Tudor, in an art gallery in Los Angeles. Next, we’ll play a 70-minute recording of Cage’s Electronic Music for Piano (1964), made in 2018 by Tania Chen, with collaborators Thurston Moore, John Leidecker, and David Toop. PLEASE TAKE NOTE: This interpretation has huge jumps in volume and many long passages of complete silence, some up to 3 minutes long. Of course, the drama of the volume shifts and the suspense of the silences are part of what makes this such an interesting work. Be prepared.
Program 685: Tribute to John Adams
On this Music from Other Minds, a celebration of the life and work of John Adams ahead of his 75th birthday on Tuesday, February 15th. Featured on the program are recordings of his work for orchestra, opera, chamber ensembles, solo piano, and as conductor.
Program 684: Exploring Electronics
On this Music from Other Minds, Liam Herb explores the many approaches to electronic music. Tune in for collage-based compositions of Gordon Mumma and John Oswald (Plunderphonics), the interactive electronics of David Behrman, analog works by Victoria Shen and John Bischoff, electro-reinforced sound poetry by Enzo Minarelli, improvised electronics with drums by Laurie Spiegel, and the kitchen sink with Pauline Oliveros.
Program 683: Solo & Group Improvisers
This program presents improvised music. The first hour features music from Chicago. A piano solo by Jim Baker and a track by Extraordinary Popular Delusions is followed by four performances from Experimental Sound Studio – a piano / bassoon duet with Wayne Horvitz and Sara Schoenbeck; a tenor sax solo by Ingrid Laubrock; LaDonna Smith playing violin and viola; and a solo by Norwegian pianist Håvard Wiik.
The second hour opens with an alto sax solo by Jack Wright, then a piece by Tender Buttons. Phil Dadson, an instrument designer from New Zealand, is joined by Paul Winstanley and Tom Nunn at the Headlands Center for the Arts in which an entire building is played as an instrument. The show ends with a shakuhachi solo by Douglas Ewart.
Program 682: One Year Later: January 6, 2021
On this Music from Other Minds, a rebroadcast of Liam Herb’s “Musical Multitudes” program, recorded on the evening of January 6, 2021.
Program 681: Ringing in the New Year
On this Music from Other Minds, Ed Herrmann rang in the New Year with music for hand bells and church bells.
Program 680: DJ Favorites - 2021
This program is a combination of feel-good classics and work that embodies the dread many of us are experiencing at this time. We start with a holiday non-sequitur: a low-fi version of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” by The Flaming Lips. Then we’ll hear something from Steve Reich dating from the 1980s, and from Terry Riley dating back to the 1960s. We re-focus on the present with some powerful work from the experimental rock group Swans, and a melancholy piece of electronica from William Basinski. And finally, to either drown our sorrows or celebrate the new year, we’ll hear one of Hawaii’s favorite drinking songs by Don Ho. Aloha 2021…
Program 679: Other Minds Records 2021 Roundup
On this Music from Other Minds, Liam Herb plays some selections from Other Minds Records 2021 season. Featuring works by Charles Amirkhanian, Robert Honstein, Jim Nollman, and more.
Program 678: Five New Releases
Five new albums from 5 very different experimental musicians. Cairo-based Maurice Louca’s work combines Egyptian folk instruments, classical western instruments and electronics in an intriguing synthesis of Arabic and Western sensibilities. Pamela Z offers a theatrical take on the voice and it’s possibilities when combined with modern technology. Ben Lamar Gay fuses folk, hip hop, jazz and utter weirdness into something extraordinary. Nick Zanca’s latest release is a fusion of field recording and artfully used electronics. And Lea Bertucci’s work is a thoughtful combination of the acoustic properties of both her instruments and the environments in which they are played.
