5 episodes

If This Hall Could Talk is a new podcast series created by Carnegie Hall in collaboration with WQXR and Sound Made Public. Across eight episodes hosted by Broadway star Jessica Vosk, the series takes listeners behind the scenes for a look at the unforgettable performances, fascinating figures, and shaping of American culture as witnessed at New York City’s Carnegie Hall.

For more than 130 years, Carnegie Hall has been the destination for top musical talents, entertainers, speakers, activists, and distinguished leaders from around the world. Each episode of If This Hall Could Talk focuses on a unique object selected from Carnegie Hall’s Rose Archives—including Judy Garland’s signed 1961 album recorded live at Carnegie Hall, Benny Goodman’s clarinet, Ella Fitzgerald’s glasses, a Women’s Suffrage Party Convention booklet, and a T-shirt made solely for the ushers to wear at rock and popular music concerts by such acts as The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, Joni Mitchell, and Chicago. These artifacts illuminate the Hall’s rich (and sometimes quirky) history, while also serving as a fascinating framing device for stories of broader musical, cultural, and political significance.

Alongside host Jessica Vosk, each episode features voices that range from marquee musical talents to historical experts—including members of Carnegie Hall’s own Rose Archives team—guiding listeners on a journey through incredible moments that have helped shape the culture in which we live today.

If This Hall Could Talk WQXR, Carnegie Hall

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 32 Ratings

If This Hall Could Talk is a new podcast series created by Carnegie Hall in collaboration with WQXR and Sound Made Public. Across eight episodes hosted by Broadway star Jessica Vosk, the series takes listeners behind the scenes for a look at the unforgettable performances, fascinating figures, and shaping of American culture as witnessed at New York City’s Carnegie Hall.

For more than 130 years, Carnegie Hall has been the destination for top musical talents, entertainers, speakers, activists, and distinguished leaders from around the world. Each episode of If This Hall Could Talk focuses on a unique object selected from Carnegie Hall’s Rose Archives—including Judy Garland’s signed 1961 album recorded live at Carnegie Hall, Benny Goodman’s clarinet, Ella Fitzgerald’s glasses, a Women’s Suffrage Party Convention booklet, and a T-shirt made solely for the ushers to wear at rock and popular music concerts by such acts as The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, Joni Mitchell, and Chicago. These artifacts illuminate the Hall’s rich (and sometimes quirky) history, while also serving as a fascinating framing device for stories of broader musical, cultural, and political significance.

Alongside host Jessica Vosk, each episode features voices that range from marquee musical talents to historical experts—including members of Carnegie Hall’s own Rose Archives team—guiding listeners on a journey through incredible moments that have helped shape the culture in which we live today.

    Ella Fitzgerald’s Glasses

    Ella Fitzgerald’s Glasses

    Celebrate the musical legacy and singular style of Ella Fitzgerald, a Carnegie Hall icon who performed at the Hall more than 40 times between 1947 and 1991.

    • 29 min
    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert Flyer

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert Flyer

    Discover the roles that the Rat Pack and many other artists played in supporting Dr. King and his Southern Christian Leadership Conference at a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

    • 37 min
    Carnegie Hall’s 1891 Opening Night Ticket

    Carnegie Hall’s 1891 Opening Night Ticket

    Travel back to Carnegie Hall’s 1891 Opening Night concert. This episode explores what made Andrew Carnegie’s music hall unlike any other concert venue and how it remains one of a kind today.

    • 32 min
    Judy Garland’s Autographed Album Cover

    Judy Garland’s Autographed Album Cover

    Delve into the life of Judy Garland, whose magnificent and complex character, fascinating public and private personas, and landmark 1961 concert made her a Carnegie Hall icon.

    • 35 min
    Introducing “If This Hall Could Talk”

    Introducing “If This Hall Could Talk”

    A show about the legendary and quirky history of Carnegie Hall

    • 3 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
32 Ratings

32 Ratings

Michelle***H ,

This is great!

I love having this glimpse of the Hall’s past and looking forward to more!

Jweibl ,

Enjoyable show - Odd host choice/script

Enjoyable for the history. The host strangely turns everything back to her experience and her life and how she is like Judy Garland (episode 1), which is odd.

RobsWest ,

Love this podcast!

I live smack dab in the middle of flyover country (Oklahoma) and I absolutely love being transported to NYC with each new episode! It’s fascinating subject matter and Jessica Vosk absolutely excels at every project she does! Thank you for a great listen! The history is marvelous.

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (sometimes)
Team Coco & Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts
Shawn Ryan Show
Shawn Ryan | Cumulus Podcast Network
The Ezra Klein Show
New York Times Opinion
This American Life
This American Life
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network

You Might Also Like

The New Yorker Radio Hour
WNYC Studios and The New Yorker
Fresh Air
NPR
On the Media
WNYC Studios
Stay Tuned with Preet
CAFE
Letters from an American
Heather Cox Richardson
Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
NPR