Composer Ned Rorem turned 93 on October 23rd. In honor of Rorem and his amazing career, composer Daron Hagen, Rorem’s friend and former student, teaches a crash course in the music and life of Ned Rorem. Hear how his music has evolved over time, and about the life events that have precipitated creative growth and change. The amount of ground-breaking that Rorem has done in his life, both socially and creatively, is frankly more than one podcast can contain. But we give it our best shot anyway. 

Music in this episode (all by Ned Rorem):

  • “Early in the Morning”

  • “Air Music”

  • “String Symphony”

Audio production by Todd “Todd-ry” Hulslander with eyebrow-raising from Dacia Clay and help from Mark DiClaudio.

PS, If you enjoyed this episode with Daron Hagen, you can also hear him in an episode of Classical Classroom about Benjamin Britten and his opera Billy Budd!