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Announcing Season 4 of Amplify
Amplify with Lara Downes is a video series that highlights Black creatives as they shape art and culture.
Amplify Season 4: Lara Downes Talks With Brian Stokes Mitchell
Classical California resident artist Lara Downes sits talks with actor and singer Brian Stokes Mitchell. She refers to Stokes, as he likes to be called, one of her heroes since the first time she saw him starring in the original production of Ragtime on Broadway in the late '90s.
Into the Storm with Composer Inon Zur
Explore the musical journey of composer Inon Zur, from his early days in Israel to scoring for popular video games like Fallout and Dragon Age, and his latest album, Into the Storm.
Two Brothers Score Two Brothers in Pixar’s “Onward”
Pixar's latest film, Onward, features a score by brothers Mychael and Jeff Danna. The movie combines a fantasy premise with a true-to-life emotional core.
Listen to Interviews with Oscar-Nominated Film Score Composers On Demand
Explore interviews with Oscar-nominated film composers on KUSC at the Movies, including Thomas Newman, Alexandre Desplat, Randy Newman, John Williams, and Hildur Guðnadóttir.
From Online Advice Column to the Stage: Nia Vardalos Discusses “Tiny Beautiful Things”
"Tiny Beautiful Things," a stage play adapted and starred by Nia Vardalos, is previewing at the Pasadena Playhouse. The play, based on Cheryl Strayed's advice column, runs until May 5th.
The Oscar-Winning Composer Who Transformed “Joker”
Icelandic cellist Hildur Guðnadottir, known for her Emmy-winning score for HBO's Chernobyl, won an Oscar for her transformative score in Joker.
Amplify with Lara Downes: Season 4
"Amplify with Lara Downes" eavesdrops on convivial conversations with today’s leading Black artists.
10 Composers From Across Latin America We’re Celebrating This Month!
Explore the rich heritage of Hispanic music through these 10 influential composers, from Teresa Carreño to Gabriela Ortiz.
Chapman Challenge: What’s the Spookiest Instrument?
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan discusses the spookiest instruments in honor of Halloween, highlighting the eerie sounds of the theremin and the scary potential of violins.
The Story Behind “Appalachian Spring,” the Ballet
Explore the history of Appalachian Spring, a ballet commissioned by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, composed by Aaron Copland, and choreographed by Martha Graham.
A Heroic Piece in Hard Times: Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto
Explore the history of Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto, nicknamed "Emperor", composed during Napoleon's invasion of Vienna in 1809, reflecting the composer's resilience amidst chaos.
Bolero, Obsession, and the Brain
"Unraveling Bolero" artist Anne Adams and composer Maurice Ravel's shared experience with progressive aphasia is explored at a San Francisco symposium on arts and brain science.
Fanny Mendelssohn Finally Gets Her Due
Fanny Mendelssohn's lost masterpiece, misattributed to her brother for 150 years, is finally recognized as hers, shedding light on her overlooked musical talent.
