Why Has American Classical Music Ignored Its Black Past?
And the immigrant composer who predicted a different future
By Stephanie Bastek Friday, September 13, 2019
New World Prophecy
Dvořák once predicted that American classical music would be rooted in the black vernacular. Why, then, has the field remained so white?
By Joseph Horowitz Friday, September 13, 2019
Existential Split
On feeling the pull of home
By Thomas Chatterton Williams Wednesday, September 11, 2019
It’s Not Easy Being Green
In an era of global warming, not all tree-related questions are equal.
By James Conaway Tuesday, September 10, 2019
“Any Case” by Wislawa Szymborska
Poems read aloud, beautifully
By Amanda Holmes Friday, September 6, 2019
Fashion Kills
How our hunger for more clothes is killing the environment and exploiting workers
By Stephanie Bastek Friday, September 6, 2019
From the Office to Iceland
An Excerpt from Wild Horses of the Summer Sun
By Katie Daniels Thursday, September 5, 2019
Wild Horses of the Summer Sun by Tory Bilski
Uncommon Podcasts
Three outlets for the radically curious
By James McWilliams Thursday, September 5, 2019
“The Vow” by Yuliya Musakovska
Poems read aloud, beautifully
By Amanda Holmes Tuesday, February 25, 2025
In the Endless Arctic Light
A journey to the far north of Norway means confronting our changing climate
By Walter Nicklin Thursday, February 20, 2025
“Faustina, or, Rock Roses” by Elizabeth Bishop
Poems read aloud, beautifully
By Amanda Holmes Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Family/History
David Levering Lewis digs into his own origin story
By Stephanie Bastek Friday, February 14, 2025
In the Lions’ Studio
A new dual biography turns the lens on the towering architects of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
By Noah Isenberg Thursday, February 13, 2025
Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg: The Whole Equationby Kenneth Turan
“My Mother on an Evening in Late Summer” by Mark Strand
Poems read aloud, beautifully
By Amanda Holmes Tuesday, February 11, 2025
