WKCR is pleased to present a joint birthday broadcast for composers Philip Glass and Franz Schubert on the 89th and 229th respective anniversaries of their births. The broadcast will run for 24 hours, preempting all regularly scheduled programs.
Franz Schubert was born in Vienna, Austria, on January 31, 1797, and is widely regarded as being among the finest composers of the classical and romantic eras. He trained under Antonio Salieri as well as at the Wiener Musikverein–today among the most prestigious musical venues in the world–and passed away at age 31 on November 19, 1828. Schubert, despite his relatively short lifetime, was a prolific composer. His best known works include the nine symphonies, String Quintet in C major, piano sonatas, and over 600 lieder.
Philip Glass, born on January 31, 1937 in Baltimore, Maryland, is an exemplar of 20th and 21st century minimalist composition. A gifted academic, Glass pursued mathematics at the University of Chicago before entering the Julliard School, where he studied composition under Vincent Persichetti and William Bergsma. The majority of his career has been spent in New York City, and for years he was a friend of WKCR, where his early music was played and he engaged in interviews. Glass’ large output of work includes many masterpieces such as Einstein on the Beach (among fifteen operas), fourteen symphonies, nine string quartets, and a host film scores. Glass, now 89 years old, maintains an active compositional practice.
In classic WKCR fashion as “the alternative,” we will present the works of Glass and Schubert alongside each other for all 24 hours of the broadcast. Though artists of distinctly different musical eras, listeners will find the works of both composers to be profound and, each in their own rights, uniquely minimalist. Moreover, Schubert is the favorite composer of Glass.
Listeners can tune in to our Philip Glass and Franz Schubert Joint Birthday Broadcast on 89.9FM or stream the birthday broadcast live on our website, wkcr.org. Follow WKCR on Instagram (@wkcr) and Twitter (@WKCRFM) for updates about this special broadcast and future events.
