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Relevant Tones

Relevant Tones

Access Contemporary Music 423 Episodes Aug 17, 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

Beltline Bones
Beltline Bones Aug 17, 2026 01:11:19 Formed in 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin, the Beltline Bones are “a new music ensemble disguised as a trombone quartet” with an omnivorous approach to new music, combining the traditional idiom of the brass ensemble with an adventurous interest in electronics, genre mixture, and notational experimentation.On their second commercial release, Technological Eclipse, the ensemble chronicles several fruits
unaccompanied: music for the voice alone
unaccompanied: music for the voice alone Jul 27, 2026 00:48:39 The voice is our oldest and most familiar instrument, yet composers continue to discover astonishing new possibilities within it. Music for the voice alone invites us to listen differently. Without harmony or accompaniment to guide our ears, every contour, breath, and vocal gesture takes on its own significance. On this episode of Relevant Tones, host Stephen Anthony Rawson explores music for the
Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival
Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival Jul 13, 2026 00:58:30 The Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival is an ambitious summer program that brings together young string players to work intensively with leading professionals while performing throughout Colchester and the surrounding communities. For the past four years, the festival has also championed new music through its annual Call for Scores. On this episode of Relevant Tones, Seth Boustead talks with Ar
Cristina Spinei - Moved by An Interior Impulse
Cristina Spinei - Moved by An Interior Impulse Jul 6, 2026 00:51:20 Best known for her acclaimed work with ballet companies across the country, Cristina Spinei has developed a distinctive musical language built on melodic cells, propulsive rhythms and subtle repetition which she affectionately describes as "minimalish." Host Seth Boustead talks with Spinei about her new album, Moved by an Interior Impulse, her long collaboration with choreographers, and
Third Place Music Festival
Third Place Music Festival Jun 29, 2026 00:54:25 On this episode of Relevant Tones we highlight Ann Arbor, Michigan’s Third Place [MusicFest] as they celebrate their 7th year. Third Place curates an annual, four day performing arts festival comprised of multiple concerts in local spaces. They are founded on principles both simple and often overlooked: that concerts should be radically welcoming, accessible, and inclusive.Host Stephen Anthony Raw
Peter Askim and the NEXT Festival of Emerging Artists Part II
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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