The Music Show

ABC Australia
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Music Interviews
  • Updated Semiweekly

All kinds of music and all kinds of musicians in conversation with Andrew Ford.

  1. 6d ago

    Tom Service on the classical music that shapes us

    Can you tell the history of the world in fifty pieces of music? No, but BBC Radio 3 presenter and writer Tom Service has given it a red hot go in A History of the World in 50 Pieces: The Classical Music That Shapes Us. He joins Andy to talk through the surprising stories behind some of those pieces, from Handel to Happy Birthday.  Music heard in the show: Title: Overture from The Marriage of FigaroArtist: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Riccardo MutiComposer: Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusAlbum: Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro K492Label: Warner Classics Title: Psalm 130: ‘Du fond de l'abîme’Artist: Ann Murray, BBC Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus, Yan Pascal TortelierComposer: Boulanger, LiliAlbum: Faust et HélèneLabel: Chandos Title: “Gente, Gente!”, and “Questo giorno di tormenti” from The Marriage of FigaroArtist: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Riccardo MutiComposer: Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusAlbum: Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro K492Label: Warner Classics Title: Scena II. Ruggier de danni asprissimi, from La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'AlcinaArtist: Huelgas-Ensemble, Paul Van NevelComposer: Caccini, FrancescaAlbum: Caccini, F: La liberazione di Ruggerio dall'isola di AlcinaLabel: Deutsche Harmonia Mundi Title: Fuera, Fuera! Haganles lugar!Artist: Florilegium, Arakaendar Bolivia Choir, Ashley SolomonComposer: Chavarria, Roque Jacinto deAlbum: Bolivian Baroque Volume 3Label: Channel Classics Title: Gruppen, for 3 Orchestras (extracts)Artist: WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Bruno Maderna, Michael GielenComposer: Stockhausen, KarlheinzAlbum: Gruppen, PunkteLabel: BMC Title: The Rumble, America from West Side StoryArtist: Leonard Bernstein; Kiri Te Kanawa; José Carreras; Tatiana Troyanos; Kurt Ollmann; Marilyn HorneComposer: Bernstein, LeonardAlbum: Leonard Bernstein Conducts West Side StoryLabel: Deutsche Grammophon Title: MbubeArtist: Solomon Linda’s Original Evening BirdsComposer: Linda, Solomon Album: Single, 1939Label: Gallo Title: WimowehArtist: The WeaversComposer: Linda, SolomonAlbum: The Weavers at Carnegie HallLabel: Vanguard Title: The Lion Sleeps TonightArtist: The TokensComposer: Linda, Solomon; Peretti, Hugo; Creatore, Luigi; Weiss, George David; Stanton, AlbertAlbum: The Lion Sleeps TonightLabel: RCA Victor Title: The Lion Sleeps TonightArtist: Billy Eichner and Seth RogenComposer: Linda, Solomon; Peretti, Hugo; Creatore, Luigi; Weiss, George David; Stanton, AlbertAlbum: The Lion King (2019)Label: Walt Disney Records Title: The Lark AscendingArtist: Tasmin Little, BBC Philharmonic, Andrew DavisComposer: Vaughan Williams, RalphAlbum: The Lark AscendingLabel: Chandos Title: America: A Prophecy, Op. 19 Artist: Susan Bickley, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Thomas AdèsComposer: Adès, ThomasAlbum: Adès: America A ProphecyLabel: Warner Classics The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Tegan Nicholls

  2. 6d ago

    The travelling community of the Grateful Dead, Don Walker's Love Songs, and a performance lasting 639 years

    All The Grateful Dead are one of the iconic bands of the last century, not just for their music, but for their extended tours, which saw their fans follow them across America and create a very special sort of travelling community. Mischa Richter shares stories from the road and explores his new documentary Summer Tour. Don Walker talks basement recordings, lessons from Nashville, and his new album Love Songs, plus he shares a memory of Glenn A Baker. And in a church in Germany, an organ is 25 years into a 639 year performance of John Cage's piece As Slow As Possible. The notes change rarely, only every couple of years, and one of those changes has just happened. Director of the John Cage Trust Jeffrey Lependorf tells Andy what it felt like to be there as an A natural was added to the sound.  Summer Tour is screening as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival Don Walker is on tour in October - dates here Music heard in this program: Title: As Slow As PossibleArtist: John CageComposer: John CageAlbum: Live Performance Title: The Wheel (Live in Chicago - 1976)Artist: Grateful DeadComposer: Jerry Garcia; Robert HunterAlbum: So Many RoadsLabel: Grateful Dead Records Title: Dark Star (Live At the Fillmore West)Artist: Grateful DeadComposer: Jerry Garcia; Robert HunterAlbum: Live/DeadLabel: Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records Title: LuckArtist: Don WalkerComposer: Don Walker, Thomas Busby, Jason IsbellAlbum: Love SongsLabel: Sony Music Title: Breakfast in ParisArtist: Don WalkerComposer: Don WalkerAlbum: Love SongsLabel: Sony Music Title: Could You Still Be HereArtist: Don WalkerComposer: Don WalkerAlbum: Love SongsLabel: Sony Music Title: Fly AwayArtist: Don WalkerComposer: Don WalkerAlbum: Love SongsLabel: Sony Music The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Tegan Nicholls

  3. Aug 1

    The dangerous jazz life of Anita O'Day

    Anita O'Day was a jazz singer who lived 'the jazz life'. She's been compared to people like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald: an incredible singer, storyteller, and a deeply troubled drug user and alcoholic.  Despite the turmoil of her personal life, she's one of the most precise singers of her generation, on the beat and right in tune for every note.  Author James Gavin, who knew O'Day, returns to The Music Show with his fresh biography, Cool Heat: Anita O’Day and Her Dangerous Jazz Life. Music heard in the show:  Title: Let Me Off UptownArtist: Gene Krupa Orchestra, Roy Eldridge, Anita O’DayComposer: Bostic, Earl; Evans, ReddAlbum: Let Me Off UptownLabel: Okeh Title: Tea For TwoArtist: Anita O’DayComposer: Youmans, VincentAlbum: Anita O’Day At Mister Kelly’sLabel: Verve Title: What Is This Thing Called Love?Artist: Anita O’DayComposer: Porter, ColeAlbum: Anita O'Day Swings Cole Porter with Billy MayLabel: Verve Title: Angel EyesArtist: Anita O’Day, Johnny MandelComposer: Brent, Earl; Dennis, Matt Album: Waiter, Make Mine BluesLabel: Verve Title: Don't ExplainArtist: Anita O’Day, Johnny MandelComposer: Holiday, Billie; Herzog, Arthur Jr.Album: Travelin' LightLabel: Verve Title: Boogie Blues Artist: Anita O’Day, Gary McFarland OrchestraComposer: Krupa, Gene; Biondi, RayAlbum: All the Sad Young MenLabel: Verve Title: Old Devil MoonArtist: Anita O’DayComposer: Harburg, Yip; Lane, BurtonAlbum: Mello'dayLabel:  GNP Crescendo Title: In A Mellow ToneArtist: Anita O’DayComposer: Ellington, Duke; Gabler, MiltAlbum: In A Mellow ToneLabel: DRG The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Emrys Cronin and Ross Richardson

  4. Jul 31

    William Basinski hosts a sleepover, Will Swenson plays Neil Diamond, and vale Glen Hansard

    American composer William Basinski's very long and much celebrated avant-garde electronic work The Disintegration Loops was born from the gradual decay of magnetic tape. It was created over a month in August and September 2001, during which time Basinski witnessed the collapse of the World Trade Centre from his New York apartment. 25 years later, the piece is being presented in its entirety in Melbourne, with Basinski hosting a sleepover of sorts as part of the Now or Never Festival. Will Swenson has been part of many Broadway revival casts - from Hair to Les Misérables to Assassins - but playing Neil Diamond in his prime is a different sort of revival. He joins Andy to talk about the jukebox musical A Beautiful Noise, and getting the real Neil's blessing. And we remember Glen Hansard, the Irish musician, actor and co-composer of the Oscar-winning film Once and its stage adaptation, who has died at the age of 56.  Plus it's National Poetry Month and The Music Show launches Middle of the Air for 2026, our competition in partnership with Red Room Poetry. Throughout August entries are open to submit a poem, which may be chosen by newly-announced partner artists Missy Higgins and Ziggy Ramo to transform into two new songs.  Music heard in this program: Title: DLP 6Artist: William BasinskiComposer: William BasinskiAlbum: The Disintegration Loops IVLabel: 2062 Title: CratersArtist: Missy HigginsComposer: Missy HigginsAlbum: The Second ActLabel: Eleven Title: BanambaArtist: Ziggy RamoComposer: Guyala Bayles, Lewis Mitchell, Macario De SouzaAlbum: Human?Label: Impressed Recordings Title: Crunchy Granola SuiteArtist: Neil DiamondComposer: Neil DiamondAlbum: Hot August NightLabel: MCA Records Title: I Am... I SaidArtist: Neil DiamondComposer: Neil DiamondAlbum: StonesLabel: MCA Records Title: Kentucky WomanArtist: Will SwensonComposer: Neil DiamondAlbum: Live Performance Title: What Happens When The Heart Just StopsArtist: The FramesComposer: Glen Hansard & The FramesAlbum: For The BirdsLabel: Little Big Music The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Emrys Cronin & Ross Richardson

  5. Jul 26

    Music Now & Then: Liza Lim

    The latest in our Music Now & Then series with composer Liza Lim, who first appeared on The Music Show in its early years when she was in her mid twenties, where both her youth and the 'difficulty' of her music were remarked upon.  As her opera The Oresteia is remounted by Sydney Chamber Opera and ELISION Ensemble, Andy speaks with Liza on stage about revisiting works and ideas over more than thirty years.  The Oresteia is staged at Sydney's Carriageworks 24-31 July. Music heard in the show: Title: The Oresteia: The Furies; Positions of a memory theatre (Cassandra’s Dream Song); Athena’s TrumpetArtists: Jeannie van de Velde, Julie Edwardson, Deborah Kayser, Andrew Muscat-Clark, Tyrone Landau, Grant Smith (singers), Elision Ensemble/Sandro GorliComposer: Lim, LizaAlbum: Mother TongueLabel: BR Klassik Title: The Compass, II. – Artist: William Barton (digeridoo), Carin Levine (flute), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Christoph PoppenComposer: Lim, LizaAlbum: Musica Viva Vol. 47Label: BR Klassik Title: A Sutured World, IV. Simon Says. Alle Vögel fliegen hochArtist: Nicolas Altstaedt (cello), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Edward GardnerComposer: Lim, LizaAlbum: Musica Viva Vol. 47Label: BR Klassik The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Harvey O’Sullivan, Mickey Grossman and Ann-Marie Debettencor

  6. Jul 24

    Music for winter stillness and electromagnetic storms

    The Veils frontman Finn Andrews joins Andy to talk about love, death, and Sinead O'Connor, all features of their latest and aptly named album Fragile World. Married couple Anna Maria Friman and Arve Henriksen are both Norwegian musicians who've benefited from Norway's remarkably genre-blind attitude to making music. She's a classical vocalist (one third of Trio Mediæval), he's a jazz trumpeter, and together they're teaming up with the Australian Chamber Orchestra for a program of Nordic music. The Veils are in Melbourne and Sydney 20 & 21 August, the new album Fragile World is out now. From Winter's Stillness with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Trio Mediæval and Arve Henrikson is on tour around Australia 25 July - 9 August. Music heard in the show: Title: Lungs, Aurora, Little White Bird, High HopesArtist: The VeilsComposer: Andrews, FinnAlbum: Fragile WorldLabel: V2 Records Title: Det lisle bånetArtist: Trio MediævalComposer: Trad.Album: Folk SongsLabel: ECM Records Title: AcceptanceArtist: Arve HenriksenComposer: Henriksen, ArveAlbum: Mental FatigueLabel: Arve Maria Music Title: St Magnus Hymn (Nobilis Humilis)Artist: Arve Henriksen, Trio MediævalComposer: Trad.Album: RímurLabel: ECM Records The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Harvey O’Sullivan, Mickey Grossman and Ann-Marie Debettencor

  7. Jul 17

    Middle of the Air: The Music Show at Sydney Writers' Festival

    Ziggy Ramo, Leah Senior, and Kate Fagan join Andy to talk about the art of turning poetry into song. Recorded live at the 2026 Sydney Writers' Festival, in partnership with Red Room Poetry. Songs performed live: Ziggy Ramo: Little Things (after Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly)Leah Senior: The Arbour (text by Giles Watson)Kate Fagan: Child Upon the Road (Kate Fagan, based on Child Ballad #3, The False Knight Upon the Road)The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci and Harvey O'Sullivan

    Middle of the Air: The Music Show at Sydney Writers' Festival

  8. Jul 17

    Songs about fish, divorce, and moth DNA: Montaigne, Gin Wigmore, and Elissa Goodrich

    Electropop singer, songwriter and producer Montaigne took the plunge into the world of independent music after over a decade with a big label a couple of years back. Their first offering in the indie era is an album called it's hard to be a fish. But they've not left their earlier music behind entirely: Montaigne joins Andy to talk about taking their 2016 album Glorious Heights on the road in August. Elissa Goodrich is a composer and percussionist whose album Gene Tree is the result of her long-term engagement with climate science and genetics. She and her guitarist Elliot Folvig join Andy to explain how the DNA of moths and butterflies, the patterns of cells dividing and multiplying, and transcriptions of mRNA all part of the creative process. Gin Wigmore's last album was eight years ago. Since then she's got divorced, picked up sticks with her kids and moved from LA to her native Aotearoa New Zealand where she's been writing and recording music and running a deli. The new album is called Beautiful Mess and she performs it live in The Music Show studio.  Music heard in the show: Title: Replication SlippageArtist: Elissa Goodrich, Gideon Brazil, Elliott Folvig, Miranda HillComposer: Goodrich, ElissaAlbum: Gene TreeLabel: Independent release Title: Glorious HeightsArtist: MontaigneComposer: Cerro, JessAlbum: Glorious HeightsLabel: Sony Title: so fast in the waterArtist: MontaigneComposer: Cerro, JessAlbum: It’s hard to be a fishLabel: Independent Title: Moth Returns to Mountain Ash I, The Other Moth, Moth Returns to Mountain Ash IIArtist: Elissa Goodrich, Gideon Brazil, Elliott Folvig, Miranda HillComposer: Goodrich, ElissaAlbum: Gene TreeLabel: Independent release Title: Country Diamond, Tip of My TongueArtist: Gin WigmoreComposer: Wigmore, GinAlbum: Beautiful MessLabel: Universal The Music Show is produced on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci and Harvey O’Sullivan

    Songs about fish, divorce, and moth DNA: Montaigne, Gin Wigmore, and Elissa Goodrich
See All (946)

Hosts & Guests

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

All kinds of music and all kinds of musicians in conversation with Andrew Ford.

Information

  • Creator
    ABC Australia
  • Years Active
    2006 - 2026
  • Episodes
    946
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Music Show

More From ABC Podcasts

You Might Also Like