Take Note

In honor of Global Cat Day, we’re looking at a few classical composers who adored their feline companions and at one classical work that takes its inspiration from a cat’s piano improvisation.

From September 19th to October 4th, Munich will celebrate the 191st Oktoberfest with food, beer, traditional garb, and music. Learn about that traditional Bavarian musical sound right here on Take Note!

September 29th is Broadway Musicals Day, and we’re celebrating with what some enthusiasts and scholars consider the first example of a staged musical production: The Black Crook.

This week, we’re recognizing the Korean holiday of Chuseok, the harvest festival that falls from September 24th to 26th. Among Chuseok observances, a significant historical practice is "ganggangsullae" (강강술래), a communal dance in which participants join hands in the shape of the full moon and act out various scenes from rural agricultural life accompanied by traditional music.

It is Hispanic Heritage Month! And on Take Note, we’re celebrating with a string quartet by Peruvian Jewish American composer Gabriela Lena Frank.

On this episode, we ring in the Ethiopian and Eritrean New Year, which is marked by the end of the region’s rainy season. Ge’ez New Year is also called Enkutatash in Amharic and Kudus Yohannes in Ge’ez and Tigrinya. We’ll hear some celebratory music and learn about the traditional instruments of the region.

Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. The celebration falls on Friday, September 4th and is celebrated with devotional chant and singing, which we’ll hear in a recording of the Hare Krishna Maha mantra.

August 26th is Women’s Equality Day, and on Take Note, we’re celebrating an important composer in the fight for women’s equality: Amy Beach.

In this episode we celebrate National Radio Day by taking a look back at the history of classical music aired on radio. 

This August 11th, marks the 3rd annual National Hip-hop Celebration Day! Listen to learn about this iconic American genre - its influences and its place in significant American music.