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 637: A Conversation with Henry Birdsey
On this Music from Other Minds, Liam Herb talks with composer Henry Birdsey about his upcoming Other Minds Release Half-Dragged, a four movement work for just-intonation lap steel. Also on the program, works by Tongue Depressor, Anna von Hasswolff, Rully Shabara, Hildegard Westerkamp, and more.
Program 636: An OM Dance Party
Other Minds celebrates building America back better with a set of music for dancing. But, since this is Other Minds, be ready for anything – changing tempos, funky and unfunky rhythms, and 17/8 time. Featuring music from Heroes Are Gang Leaders, Parliament Funkadelic, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Throbbing Gristle and Robert Ashley (yes, that Robert Ashley).
Program 635: The Past, Revisited
On the next Music from Other Minds, Randall Wong plays music for Euripides’ The Trojan Women by Eleni Karaindrou, Fellini’s Satyricon by Nino Rota, plus newer works by Erkki-Sven Tüür and Werner Durand.
Program 634: Musical Multitudes
On this Music from Other Minds, Liam Herb plays music in the wake of Trump’s failed insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Tune in to explore the many ways in which music can calm, provoke, transport, and move us in times of great stress.
Program 633: Four Takes on In C
Music from Other Minds program 633 presents four fresh takes on Terry Riley’s minimalist work from 1964, In C. Zoë Keating’s remix of a version by the Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble is almost unrecognizable but keeps elements of Riley’s composition intact. Bang on a Can’s recording is much closer to what we might expect to hear in contemporary classical music context. Africa Express recorded a version that features a joyous vibe and African instruments – balafon, calabash, djembe, kalimba, and kora. And the wild version by psychedelic rockers Acid Mother’s Temple doesn’t necessarily play by the rules, but is performed in the spirit with which the work was composed.
Program 632: A 2020 Holiday Special
On this Music from Other Minds, Randall Wong presents some twisted Holiday Hits including Philip Glass and Robert Moran‘s opera The Juniper Tree, as well as seasonal pieces by the The Residents and Björk.
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.
