A new thriller out of Germany is the focus of Kenneth Turan’s film review this week. The LA Times and Arts Alive film critic spoke to KUSC’s Gail Eichenthal.

Two Brothers Score Two Brothers in Pixar’s “Onward”

Mar 9th, 2020

Pixar films are famous for their tear-jerking powers, and the studio’s latest is no exception. Onward may have a high-concept fantasy premise—a modernized, suburban version of a land of dragons, wizards, and unicorns—but the emotional core is v

How Do You Loan a Stradivarius?

Mar 6th, 2020

KUSC’s Alan Chapman has a lot to say about music, but can he say it in 60 seconds? That’s the Chapman Challenge. We ask a question and Alan has a minute to answer it. Today’s question is from Lee in San Diego who writes,…

How Classical Music Powers a Child’s Brain

Mar 4th, 2020

It may be an exaggeration to say that Mozart makes us smarter, but in a unique study, scientists at USC’s Brain and Creativity Institute (BCI) have linked classical music training with improved brain function in kids.

The Story Behind the “Borrowed” Melodies of Brahms and Liszt

Mar 2nd, 2020

Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms both wanted to capture the vibrant folk music of Hungary in their compositions. Brahms through his 21 Hungarian Dances written in 1879 and Liszt through his 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies published between 1851 and 1886

Friday Film Chat: A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon

Feb 14th, 2020

On Arts Alive today, LA Times and Arts Alive film critic Kenneth Turan tells us about a perfect Valentine’s Day entertainment for lovers of sheep, and, of stop-motion animation. He spoke to KUSC’s Gail Eichenthal.

A Preview of the LA Phil’s Fully Staged Performances of the Kurt Weill/Bertold Brecht Masterpiece, “The Seven Deadly Sins”

Feb 12th, 2020

The Los Angeles Philharmonic’s survey of the politically-charged Weimar Republic era continues this weekend at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Esa Pekka-Salonen will conduct the orchestra and soloists in fully staged performances of the Kurt Weill/Be

A Junkyard Opera Company Reimagines “Frankenstein”

Feb 10th, 2020

Theatre, dance, music, experimental design, found objects, and more come together for a modern adaptation of the classic story of Frankenstein this week at The Wallis in Beverly Hills.

Pre-Performance Rituals with Pianist Stephen Hough

Feb 5th, 2020

Many performers have elaborate rituals that they go through before concerts — Glenn Gould used to soak his forearms in hot water before performances — but Stephen Hough has made a point of never depending on any of them.

The Secret Love Affair Hidden in Alban Berg’s “Lyric Suite”

Feb 3rd, 2020

Austrian composer Alban Berg (1885 – 1935) has a relatively small oeuvre, writing only a dozen or so major compositions in his life. However, each piece captures an entire world of emotion and structure and has a fascinating backstory, includin

Friday Film Chat: A Report From This Year’s Sundance Film Festival

Jan 31st, 2020

The attention of the film world has been squarely focused on a glamorous ski resort this past week. Filmmakers, performers, distributors, and press from all over the world have converged on Park City, Utah. LA Times and Arts Alive film critic K

A Playwright Becomes Librettist

Jan 29th, 2020

When writing for the stage, playwright Sarah Ruhl follows her instinct and ear for dialogue. She knows the rhythms of speech and conversation. But for the upcoming world premiere of Eurydice at LA Opera, based on her 2004 play, she had to learn

The Composer Who Transformed “Joker”

Jan 27th, 2020

Here’s what you need to know about Hildur Guðnadottir: she’s from Iceland, she’s a cellist, she was a frequent collaborator with the late Johann Johannsson, she won an Emmy for her score for HBO’s Chernobyl and she transformed the character of

Chapman Challenge: The Difference Between a Viola and a Viola Da Gamba

Jan 24th, 2020

Greta Gerwig on Finding the Echoes in “Little Women”

Jan 22nd, 2020

She’s nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, and her film is up for Best Picture. You may know her as the warm and funny millennial actress, but Greta Gerwig is actually one of the most exciting writer-directors in Hollywood today.

The Mystery Behind Scriabin’s Mystic Chord

Jan 20th, 2020

For most of his life, Russian composer Alexander Scriabin (1871 – 1915) was obsessed with the occult and religious symbolism. He is often linked as being a part of the Russian symbolist movement and with having been a follower of Theosophy, a m

Friday Film Chat: A Fun, Frolicking Fellini Flashback Opening This Weekend

Jan 17th, 2020

A romantic comedy from the 1950s with a classic soundtrack opens this weekend at Laemmle Theaters in West LA and Pasadena. KUSC’s Gail Eichenthal got the good word from LA Times and Arts Alive movie critic Kenneth Turan about this early Federic

A Conversation with the Composer Behind Downton Abbey’s Unforgettable Theme

Jan 15th, 2020

With all the Oscar hype currently in the air, it’s easy to forget some of the successful motion pictures not included in this year’s Oscar mania. In particular Downton Abbey: The Movie. The film, set in 1927, depicts a visit by the King and…

Remembering Pioneering Artist John Baldessari

Jan 13th, 2020

Arts Alive pays tribute to late conceptual artist John Baldessari with an interview from the Arts Alive archives.

Chapman Challenge: How Do You Tune a Pipe Organ and How Often Do They Need Tuning?

Jan 10th, 2020

Henry Purcell’s “King Arthur” Gets a Dramatic Makeover

Jan 8th, 2020

In 17th-century England, opera hadn’t really taken off, but audiences did enjoy having a few songs mixed into a stage play. That’s why composer Henry Purcell’s King Arthur is considered a semi-opera. And in this century, Purcell’s work is about

Friday Film Chat: Little Women

Dec 20th, 2019

The new film version of “Little Women” started getting Oscar buzz before it even opened. It is in theaters this weekend, and LA Times and Arts Alive Film Critic Kenneth Turan tells KUSC ‘s Gail Eichenthal, it’s an old story well worth revisitin

John Lithgow on the Fun of Playing Ogres—Fictional and Non

Dec 18th, 2019

In the past year, actor John Lithgow has portrayed Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and Rudy Giuliani. In the new movie Bombshell, he plays the late, disgraced one-time head of Fox News: Roger Ailes. John Lithgow joined contributi

The Secret Story Behind Tchaikovsky’s Celesta in “The Nutcracker”

Dec 16th, 2019

During the holiday season, it’s fairly common to hear Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker. The instrument that plays the iconic solo in that piece is called the celesta, a keyboard instrument where the hammers strike

The Lesser-Known History of “Jingle Bells”

Dec 13th, 2019

There are things that are certain in life. Taxes are due April 15. Going to the DMV is never a good time. And at Christmas, you will always hear “Jingle Bells”. The first Christmas song you learned to sing in school. Sung by carolers (and cats)