Show Notes
Composer Gabriela Ortiz joins Manny Ax to talk about her grandfather’s surprising connection to Mahler, her own compositional process, and her enduring love for works by Debussy and Stravinsky. Listeners call in with tricky questions about folk music’s influence on classical works, new developments in orchestral instruments, and the realities of orchestra cliques. In our game segment, Manny puts Gabriela to the test—can she identify which famous composer was panned by critics?
More from Classical Music Happy Hour
What happens when one of the world’s greatest pianists returns to Carnegie Hall after 14 years away? Manny Ax was there as a teenager, and he remembers it all. Manny shares a story about one of classical music's greatest pianists and the actual mark that he left on the floor of Carnegie Hall. We hear Horowitz’s Nails, an episode of Carnegie Hall’s podcast If This Hall Could Talk.
Producer Lauren Purcell-Joiner puts Classical Music Happy Hour host Manny Ax in the hot seat with the tough questions: What’s his favorite drink? The best book about music he’s ever read? And which composer would he most like to grab coffee with?
Classical Music Happy Hour host Manny Ax and producer Lauren Purcell-Joyner bring you a special episode from Aria Code, diving into Verdi’s Aida, which is one of Manny’s all-time favorite operas. Together, they reflect on what makes this story so timeless, from the beauty of the music to the real-life stories that reveal just how deeply opera can connect to our own lives.
Host Manny Ax is back for a very special live episode of Classical Music Happy Hour featuring highlights from the sold-out launch party this past March.
As we get ready for a new season, we’d also love to hear from you! What were some of your favorite moments from the show? Who would you love to see as a guest? What are some questions you’d like to hear answered? Visit classicalmusichappyhour.org/ask