On October 22, 1925, Henry Cowell and The New Music Society of California would host their first ever concert- sparking the dissemination of “ultra-modernist” composition within the musical ecosystem of the United States. Cowell sought to “present musical works embodying the most progressive tendencies of this age”, shedding light on the compositions of Carl Rugges, Edgard Varese, Arnold Shoenberg, and more. Nearly one hundred years later, New Music has evolved far beyond the 300-person concert in LA’s Biltmore Hotel. Here at WKCR, we hope to celebrate the legacy, evolution, and future of New Music. Tune in on October 22, 1925 for our 24-hour New Music Centennial Broadcast.

This broadcast will be divided into themed slots, following a loose chronology of New Music eras. From 12 AM- 6 AM, we will focus on the music of Cowell and his contemporaries. 6-9 AM will see an exploration into The New York School of New Music, including the experimental and expressionist influenced works of John Cage. The 9 AM- 3 PM slot explores the work of New Music minimalists such as Glass, Reich, and Young. Finally, 3-6 PM will cover opera and its discontents, 6-9 PM will explore Electronics, and the final 9-12 AM slot will look at the last quarter century. WKCR has also played a pivotal role in the history of New Music, serving as a recording studio for artists like Cage, Zorn, and Parkins. As a result, WKCR has an extensive archive of exclusive interviews and live music footage that will be played on air during this festival.

Tune in on 89.9FM or listen online at wkcr.org via our web stream. To stay posted about this broadcast and future special events, follow WKCR on Instagram (@wkcr) and Twitter (@WKCRFM).