Hearing The Pulitzers

Bonus: An Interview with Zhou Long

In this special bonus episode, Dave and Andrew talk with 2011 Pulitzer Winner Zhou Long. Where did he find the libretto for Madame White Snake? What does he think of peop

Episode 69 - 2011: Zhou Long, Madame White Snake

In this episode, Dave and Andrew explore an opera by the composer of our podcast theme, Zhou Long. It's been fifty years since another staged opera won the prize. Is this

Episode 68 - 2010: Jennifer Higdon, Violin Concerto

In this episode, Dave and Andrew explore a concerto by one of the most-performed living composers, Jennifer Higdon. Will they think the concerto deserves more play? How d

Episode 67 - 2009: Steve Reich, Double Sextet

In this episode, Dave and Andrew explore Steve Reich's Double Sextet, but can't help but talk about his earlier work. How does this later piece stack up to classics like

Episode 66 - 2008: David Lang, The Little Match Girl Passion

In this episode, Dave and Andrew explore an oratorio for voice and percussion that mingles minimalism, Bach, and a fairy tale. Will that mixture prove potent for them? An

Episode 65 - 2007: Ornette Coleman, Sound Grammar

In this episode, Dave and Andrew listen to the first work without a written score to ever win a Pulitzer, Ornette Coleman's album Sound Grammar. What will they think abou

Episode 64 - 2006: Yehudi Wyner, Piano Concerto: 'Chiavi in Mano'

In this episode, Dave and Andrew discuss a piano concerto that the composer, Yehudi Wyner, said "permits expression of the raunchy as well as the refined." How will that

Bonus: Giants in the Earth Revisited

In 2020, Dave and Andrew released their 9th episode, covering Douglas Moore's forgotten opera Giants in the Earth without being able to hear it or even see the score. Now

Episode 63 - 2005: Steven Stucky, Concerto for Orchestra, No. 2

In this episode, Dave and Andrew explore a concerto for orchestra that achieved great heights by, in the words of its creator Steven Stucky, "standing on the shoulders of

Episode 62 - 2004: Paul Moravec, Tempest Fantasy

In this episode, Dave and Andrew dive into a work inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest. Will the work live up to the Bard's reputation? And does this piece fit into the

Episode 61 - 2003: John Adams, On the Transmigration of Souls

In this episode, Dave and Andrew go back to the events of 9/11 and listen to a piece memorializing the day. But will they find the piece moving or maudlin? And how does t

Episode 60 - 2002: Henry Brant, Ice Field

In this episode, Dave and Andrew explore the first experimental composer to win the Pulitzer since Charles E. Ives. With that pedigree, what will they think of Henry Bran

Episode 59 - 2001: John Corigliano, Symphony No. 2 for String Orchestra

In this episode, Dave and Andrew explore the symphony of John Corigliano they don't know. After appreciating Corigliano's first and third symphonies, what will they think

Episode 58 - 2000: Lewis Spratlan, Life is a Dream, Opera in Three Acts: Act II, Concert Version

In this episode, Dave and Andrew talk about a curious winner for the year 2000 since it was originally composed 25 years earlier! What will they think about this blast fr

Episode 57 - 1999: Melinda Wagner, Concerto for Flute, Strings and Percussion

In this episode, Dave and Andrew explore a concerto featuring an instrument not often put into a concerto setting: the flute. But its title also promises a balance among

Episode 56 - 1998: Aaron Jay Kernis, String Quartet #2 (musica instrumentalis)

In this episode, Dave and Andrew return to the venerable string quartet for a piece that mixes tonality, modernist music, Baroque dances, and Medieval modality. But will

Episode 55 - 1997: Wynton Marsalis, Blood on the Fields

In this episode, Dave and Andrew go deep into the tangled history surrounding the first jazz piece to ever win the Pulitzer Prize in Music, Wynton Marsalis's Blood on the

Episode 54 - 1996: George Walker, Lilacs for Voice and Orchestra

In this episode, Dave and Andrew discuss a song cycle in all but name, George Walker's Lilacs. From the outside, this win looks like another lifetime achievement award, b

Episode 53 - 1995: Morton Gould, Stringmusic

In this episode, Dave and Andrew discuss a composer from an earlier generation winning a Pulitzer in the twilight of his career. What will they think of Stringmusic?  

Episode 52 - 1994: Gunther Schuller, Of Reminiscences and Reflections

In this episode, Dave and Andrew discuss one of the composers Dave wishes he had met, Gunther Schuller. But does Schuller's winning work Of Reminiscences and Reflections