Opus 277 - "America/Beautiful" (feat. Min Kwon)

Loki chats with Catalyst Quartet violinist Karla Donehew Pérez about the release of Vol. 4 of "Uncovered", featuring the first complete collection of the strings quartets of Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Loki speaks on his re-entry into the Minnesota Public Radio facilities for the first time since his infamous separation from the organization in 2020.Catalyst Quartet"Uncovered"String Quartet Op. 1, No. 3 in G minor: Allegro by Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges6 Quartetto concertans: No. 3 in C Major: I. Allegro by Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki chats with recently retired United States Coast Guard Band member Cedric Mayfield about life in the military as a musician, the challenges of being among the minority of musicians of color, and the importance of keeping this infrastructure a part of the broader conversations around diversity in classical music. Cedric MayfieldUnited States Coast Guard Band"Ecstatic Waters" by Steven Bryant (perf. University of Memphis Wind Ensemble) "Baron Cimetiere's Mambo" by Donald Grantham (perf. United States Coast Guard Band) ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki chats with conductor Dane Lam about his work on three continents and what it looks like to celebrate and preserve culture within different global contexts while expanding audience's perspectives on so-called classical music. Loki speaks to how the arts can be a tool to fight against gentrification. Dane LamDane Lam leads the Xi'an Symphony Orchestra (Titan Symphony by Gustav Mahler)"Hula" from the Polynesian Suite by Dai-Keong Lee4West Closes in Harlem ★ Support this podcast ★

Peter Askim is transforming the way the next generation of artists are entering the orchestral field with a summer festival celebrated for its "pay what you can" model that eliminates what, for many, was a primary barrier to entry into this vital aspect of a musician's artistic and professional development. Peter joins Loki to talk about this festival, his entry into the world of conducting, and how he's centering music by immigrant women in his celebration of America's 250th.Peter AskimThe Next Festival of Emerging ArtistsReena Esmail: Teen MurtiPeter Askim: Songs My Mother Taught MeLeague of American Orchestras Andy AkihoErich Rieppel ★ Support this podcast ★

Joachim Horsley is a composer and performer whose fusion of Western European classical and Afro-Caribbean music has earned him praise and notoriety in the United States, Cuba, and beyond. He chats with Loki about his trajectory, his education in Cuba, and his approach to celebrating culture without tokenizing its aesthetics. Loki shares more on his recent engagement of an ensemble accused of appropriating Indigenous culture. Joachim Horsley"Beethoven in Havana""Tropical Prelude"Joachim Horsley Instagram ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki chats with founding member of the Kronos Quartet, David Harrington, about the group's work over the past 50 years and their new project, "Three Bones", honoring the 250th anniversary of America with music that highlights Native, Gullah, and immigrant perspectives and experiences.Kronos QuartetThree Bones"Ya Habibi, Ta'ala"White Man SleepsNikky Finney's 2011 National Book Award in Poetry Acceptance Speech ★ Support this podcast ★

"America/Beautiful" is a project by pianist and arts advocate Min Kwon, in which she has commissioned a diverse group of more than 70 of today’s leading American composers to each compose a variation on “America the Beautiful.” Loki chats with Min about this project, her Center for Musical Excellence, and her nuanced view of what it means to take action toward a better America. Loki offers thoughts on his initial response to this project, and how dialogue gave him a more accurate view of it. Min Kwon"American/Beautiful"Center of Music ExcellenceDaniel Bernard Roumain: “america, NEVER beautiful”Kristjan Järvi: “Look up America” ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki chats with Devin Moore of the Isidore String Quartet about life as a professional chamber musician, what it looks like to help people reimagine this sub-genre of "classical" music, and how his Blackness shows up along the way. Loki unpacks how he sees an engagement of the Western classical tradition as being a part of decolonization. Isidore String QuartetAdorationsAdoration by Florence Price, arr. by Samuel Araya (perf. Isidore String Quartet)String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 44 No. 3 by Felix Mendelssohn (perf. Isidore String Quartet) ★ Support this podcast ★

On April 16-19, 2026 the Gateways Music Festival will join forces with the Dance Theatre of Harlem to present Igor Stravinsky's "Firebird", led by acclaimed conductor Jeri Lynne Johnson. Jeri joins Loki to talk about her historic firsts as a Black woman conductor, her Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, and her work with the Gateways Music Festival. Jeri Lynne JohnsonBlack Pearl Chamber OrchestraGateways Music FestivalDance Theatre of HarlemInfernal Dance (perf. London Symphony Orchestra/Stokowski) Firebird Finale (perf. London Symphony Orchestra/Stokowski)  ★ Support this podcast ★

On March 27, 2026, Naxos Records released "When the Caged Bird Sings" - a new work for orchestra, chorus, and soloists by composer Nkeiru Okoye. Nkeiru joins Loki to talk about her identity as a composer of both African-American and Nigerian heritage, her new recording, and her experiences working with all of the collaborators along the way. Loki offers a Buddhist parable on the subject of caged birds. Nkeiru OkoyeWhen the Caged Bird SingsVideo Trailer  ★ Support this podcast ★