Shows
Big Ears: Conversations About Music12 Highlights of 2025: A 2026 Big Ears PreviewIn this special edition of Big Ears: Conversations About Music, four deeply engaged listeners -Ayana Contreras, Piotr Orlov, Liz Pelly, and Steve Smith - survey the sounds that moved them in 2025—offering a preview of just a few of the highlights in store for Big Ears 2026. The conversation encompasses a fiercely prolific Downtown innovator (John Zorn), a wide embrace of the contemporary classical landscape (JACK Quartet, Hania Rani); fiercely independent rock bands (Deerhoof, YHWH Nailgun); folk music deeply rooted in history and identity (Haley Heynderickx, Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band) gospel music ripe for the dance floor (Annie & The Caldwells), two v...
2026-01-0138 min
Big Ears: Conversations About MusicSongs & Symphonics: Celebrating Moondog at Big EarsJournalist Piotr Orlov (of Dada Strain) speaks with Brian Carpenter of Ghost Train Orchestra and collaborator Joan Wasser (a.k.a. Joan As Police Woman) about interpreting the works of Moondog—the blind composer, poet, and New York street icon whose rhythmic inventions, unforgettable melodies, and striking persona (not to mention an iconic Viking costume) made him an underground legend of 20th-century music. Hear this exciting project at Big Ears 2026.
2025-10-2355 min
Life Changing with Dori FernRhythm, Improvisation and Community with Piotr OrlovDori talks with writer and music storyteller Piotr Orlov, exploring themes of identity, the immigrant experience, and the transformative power of community. Piotr, whose grandmother was a classical musicologist and father, a prominent, American basketball-loving sportswriter, came here from Leningrad to New York at 7-3/4 years old, fully bought into the American Dream story. He shares how his cultural background shapes his perspective and how that lens has changed over time. His first, indelible (and timely!) New York City memory proves how the truth we see isn't always THE truth. The discussion delves into the significance of community in...
2024-11-1229 min
World Music Institute - WMI Plus at HomeComposer, Percussionist, and Author Adam Rudolph with Journalist Piotr OrlavSend us a textAdam and journalist Piotr Orlov chat about Adam's many collaborations with artists including Don Cherry, Hassan Hakmoun, Dave Liebman, and Yusuuf Lateef that were part of the WMI legacy series of the late 1980s / early 1990s called 'Improvisations'. At the time of the recording, Adam was in the process of rebooting that influential series for our 2022-2023 Season launch event with SummerStage in Central Park on Sep 10 featuring some of the original artists from the series along with members of the next generation of improvisational artists.More about Adam Rudolph
2022-08-1850 min
Code Switch'Give It Up For DJ Blackface!'This week, we follow the strange trend of white dance-music DJs who pass themselves off as black artists. Gene talks to legendary House music DJ Ron Trent. The European producer Guy Tavares chimes in from The Netherlands on what he sees as overhyped controversy. Piotr Orlov, who covers dance music for NPR weighs in on what this all means for music fans.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences....
2017-06-0128 min