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Relevant Tones

Relevant Tones

Access Contemporary Music 423 episodes Latest May 11, 2026

Relevant Tones is a podcast about contemporary classical music, featuring interviews with and music by some of the most creative figures in the field. The show explores new trends in classical music and includes live streamed episodes with conversations and performances. It is hosted and produced by Seth Boustead, Austin Williams, Stephen Anthony Rawson, and Matt Dotson.

Episodes

Peter Askim and the NEXT Festival of Emerging Artists Part II Jun 1, 2026 00:53:44 In the second half of our conversation with conductor, composer and producer Peter Askim, we take a deeper look at his efforts to champion living composers through initiatives like the NC State 10-Year Premiere Project. Askim discusses the importance of creating opportunities for emerging voices, building lasting relationships between composers and performers, and finding new ways to connect audie
Peter Askim and the NEXT Festival of Emerging Artists Part I May 11, 2026 01:00:56 Composer, conductor, and producer Peter Askim joins Seth Boustead to discuss building vibrant communities around contemporary classical music through the NC State 10-Year Premiere Project, the NEXT Festival of Emerging Artists, and his work with orchestras across North Carolina.From commissioning dozens of World Premieres to mentoring emerging composers and reimagining how audiences experience new
Brent Michael Davids - American Requiem Apr 20, 2026 01:01:17 Composer Brent Michael Davids discusses his powerful new work Requiem for America: Singing for the Invisible People—a sweeping musical reckoning with the genocidal foundations of the United States, told through Indigenous voices. Blending Native American musical traditions with orchestral forces, the piece confronts history through texts both personal and political, culminating in a message of res
In Memorium: Bernard Rands Mar 6, 2026 00:58:20 Esteemed composer Bernard Rands has passed away, a huge loss to our musical community. We honor his memory by re-airing this interview with host Seth Boustead from September 2017.Pulitzer Prize–winning composer Bernard Rands reflects on a remarkable career spanning more than a hundred published works and recordings. In this conversation with Relevant Tones, he shares insights into his musical lang
Notable Albums of 2025 Dec 29, 2025 01:03:31 Relevant Tones returns after our hiatus to bring you some of our favorite albums (and concerts) of the year. It was a great year for music! Hosted by Seth Boustead, Matthew Dosland, Stephen Anthony Rawson and Austin Williams.MUSICFor Adrienne I by Martin GendelmanWhat Stories We Tell by George HurdStudy No. 1 by Jessie MontgomeryYanga by Gabriela OrtizAt Which Point No. 1: Prologue by Wang LuGroun
At the World's Edge Festival Jul 30, 2025 00:58:19 At the World’s Edge is a chamber music festival inspired by its roots in the Southern Alps of New Zealand and forging ties to Chicago and beyond. Host Seth Boustead talks with violinist and founding Artistic Director Benjamin Baker about his vision for the festival and features music the festival has commissioned. MUSICYabo by Salina FisherString Trio No. 2 by Huw Watkins (excerpt)Mata Au by Salin
Neil Quigley Jun 9, 2025 01:08:02 Host Austin Williams and composer guest Neil Quigley chat about Neil’s music and its relationship to speculative history.Neil explains how his relationship to the Kilkenny Electroacoustic Research Laboratory is largely based in that practice. Among many other projects Neil created this love letter to his hometown and lans to wrap up the anthology in the coming year or so. Check more of Neil’s work
Coalescent Quartet May 19, 2025 01:06:03 Join host Austin Williams as he speaks to members of the Coalescent Saxophone Quartet. The quartet consists of members Nathan Bogert, Michael Shults, Nick Zoulek, and Drew Whiting; each of which are incredibly accomplished musicians in their own right. The quartet has recently released a new album (The Wall Between Us) of works for sax quartet. Austin asks the ensemble questions about codifying th
Hot Second May 12, 2025 01:04:51 Join host Austin Williams and new music ensemble Hot Second ( Rebecca McDaniel Percussion and Dylan Feldpausch Violin/Viola) as we discuss their unique ensemble and its take on new music in Chicago.The conversation consists of thoughtful insights on how an ensemble can think outside of the traditional cannon and use influences from pop and other styles to help shape the sound they work with. A uni
Laura Strickling 40@40 May 5, 2025 00:53:17 2023 and the first anthology has just been published by New Music Shelf. This extraordinary album features world-premiere recordings of art songs commissioned by Strickling who says: "These twenty songs, from composers and poets of diverse backgrounds, are exceptional in their beauty, depth, quality, and range of emotional expression."Host Seth Boustead talks with Strickling and features
On the Radar, April 2025 Apr 28, 2025 01:02:32 Cohosts Austin Williams and Stephen Rawson share what they have been listening to recently. Austin shares about an anthology of Irish Electroacoustic music that he became privy to recently and Stephen has a wide variety of vocal and chamber music that comes up. Stephen and Austin also reminisce about their time they shared as music students in undergrad along with their hometown pride of some of t
Chiayu Hsu Apr 14, 2025 01:13:45 Chiayu Hsu is an active composer of contemporary concert music and associate professor of composition at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Born in Banciao, Taiwan, Chiayu frequently explores ideas of cultural fusion. She derives inspiration from places, poems, myths, and images. Particularly, the combination of Chinese elements and western techniques is a hallmark of her music.Chiayu’s works

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