Centennial Sounds

"Centennial Sounds," hosted by Brad Turner, spotlights contemporary classical music performed in Colorado and features exclusive sessions from the CPR Performance Studio as well as live recordings taken from concert venues and summer festivals around the Centennial State.
Listen On

Latest Episodes

In ‘Notes From Clyfford Still’ Composer Nathan Hall Sets A Painter’s Vision To Music

Composer Nathan Hall is fascinated with the huge, vibrant paintings of abstract painter Clyfford Still. Nathan recently set out to compose music about about Still, and combed through the painter’s writings to set some of the colorful passages to music. Hear “Notes From Clyfford Still,” performed by the Playground Ensemble in the CPR Performance Studio — and hear how Nathan created the piece — in this episode of Centennial Sounds from CPR Classical and Colorado Public Radio.

Altius Quartet Unveils Michael Ippolito’s New String Quartet No. 4

Composer Michael Ippolito tried an unusual approach when he wrote a piece for the Altius Quartet. He sat down with a cello, instrument he’d barely played since middle school. His experiments with an instrument he’d largely forgotten how to play took his music to surprising places. Hear Michael Ippolito’s String Quartet No. 4 performed by the Altius Quartet in the CPR Performance Studio — and the backstory of this new piece — in this episode of Centennial Sounds from CPR Classical and Colorado Public Radio.

Julia Wolfe Witnessed 9/11 Up Close, And Wrote ‘Compassion’ In Response

Composer Julia Wolfe lives in Lower Manhattan, just blocks from where the Twin Towers once stood. She and her family watched 9/11 unfold around them, and dealt with the aftermath. She wrote one of her most stark, concise works as a response. She called it “Compassion.” Hear the piece performed in concert by pianist Conrad Tao at the Aspen Music Festival and School — and more of Julia’s story — in this episode of Centennial Sounds from CPR Classical and Colorado Public Radio.

Loretta Notareschi’s ‘String Quartet OCD’ Explores Motherhood And Mental Health

Composer Loretta Notareschi remembers early motherhood as one of the hardest moments of her life. She felt completely in love with her infant daughter but she also grappled with a frightening postpartum mood disorder. She decided to use music to tell her story, and start a conversation with others going through the same thing. Hear Loretta’s piece, “String Quartet OCD,” performed by the Playground Ensemble String Quartet in the CPR Performance Studio, and the story behind the composition, in this episode of Centennial Sounds from CPR Classical and Colorado Public Radio.

Kevin Michael Olson’s Jagged ‘Dichotomiae’, Played By Pianist Hsing-ay Hsu

Composer Kevin Michael Olson used to work in a lab that developed military technology. And he wrote about that experience in his music. It sounded pretty dark. So one day, he wanted to write something that sounded less heavy. The piano music that came out sounded more complicated than he intended. It’s filled with stark contrasts. He called it “Dichotomiae.” Hear pianist Hsing-ay Hsu play the piece in an exclusive CPR Performance Studio session, and the story behind the composition, in this episode of Centennial Sounds from CPR Classical and Colorado Public Radio.

Egemen Kesikli’s Heartbreaking String Quartet ‘Pulse’, Performed By Playground Ensemble

Composer Egemen Kesikli spent last summer in his home country of Turkey. He was waiting to return to the United States, where he studied composition at the University of Colorado. Then Egemen heard about the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. Forty-nine people died at the popular gay club. Egemen, who is gay, felt horrified. He dealt with the shock by writing a string quartet. Hear an exclusive CPR Performance Studio recording of the piece played by Playground Ensemble — and the story of how Egemen shaped his sadness into music — in this episode of Centennial Sounds from CPR Classical and Colorado Public Radio.

On ‘First,’ Son Lux and yMusic Make Chamber Music That Flows Like A Rock LP

The contemporary chamber ensemble yMusic set out to make a different kind of classical record with its latest release. The group enlisted one of its favorite collaborators, Son Lux, to compose an album of compositions with the feel of a rock LP. The result is called “First.” Hear a CPR Performance Studio recording of two pieces from the album, and the story of the record’s creation, in this episode of Centennial Sounds from CPR Classical and Colorado Public Radio.

Carter Pann’s ‘The Mechanics’ Featuring The Black Diamond Saxophone Quartet

A few years ago, composer Carter Pann heard the saxophonists in the Capitol Quartet in concert. The music blew him away. He convinced the group to collaborate with him, and the resulting piece — called “The Mechanics” — made Carter a Pulitzer Prize finalist. Hear a CPR Performance Studio recording of the piece by the up-and-coming Black Diamond Saxophone Quartet — and the story of what inspired Carter’s piece — in this episode of Centennial Sounds from CPR Classical and Colorado Public Radio.