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Podcasts The Frame
Bryce Dessner's music can't be pigeonholed
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The Frame Tile
Episode 19487
Listen • 26:13
Bryce Dessner's music can't be pigeonholed

He's a co-founder of the rock band The National, but also a sought-after composer of contemporary classical works; Dan Reed, director of the Michael Jackson documentary, "Leaving Neverland," on how his film came together; celebrating the 100th anniversary of the theremin.

Musician and composer Bryce Dessner.
Musician and composer Bryce Dessner.
(
Pascal Gely
)

On today's show:

A MUSICIAN WITH MORE THAN ONE HAT

(Starts at 7:45)

Bryce Dessner is a founding member of the rock outfit, The National, but he’s also a sought-after orchestral composer. His latest work, "Triptych (Eyes of One on Another)," is inspired by the controversial photographer, Robert Mapplethorpe, whose graphic depictions of sadomasochism resulted in a 1990 obscenity trial in Cincinnati. "Triptych" is a multimedia experience for chamber orchestra and vocal ensemble (Roomful of Teeth), with photographs by Mapplethorpe. The libretto is by Korde Arrington Tuttle. John Horn recently spoke with Dessner and director Kaneza Schaal ahead of the world premiere of "Triptych" with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

THE DIFFICULTY OF LEAVING 'NEVERLAND'

(Starts at :45)

The HBO two-part documentary, "Leaving Neverland," is a damning indictment of Michael Jackson's alleged sexual abuse of two underaged boys. The victims, now grown men, appear on camera to explicitly tell their stories. The film's producer/director, Dan Reed, spoke with The Frame about how the project came together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_Ze8LjzV7Q

The theremin's good vibrations

(Starts at 9:13)

One of the quirkier — and more misunderstood — musical instruments turns 100 this year. The theremin makes a sound you instantly recognize, but most of us don’t know anything about its history or its potential. The Frame contributor Tim Greiving set out to fix that.