Classics of the Phonograph

Neglected composers of the 1940s

 
Virgil Thomson

Virgil Thomson By Carl Van Vechten - Van Vechten Collection at Library of Congress, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Some composers of the mid- 20th century, who were once famous, are now neglected. Virgil Thomson, once an esteemed and feared music critic, was also famous for his music which evoked Americana with a French accent. Walter Piston was famous for his prize-winning symphonies, which reflected Stravinsky’s neo-classical style, as well as his books on music theories. On this week's Classics of the Phonograph, Saturday at 11 am on WILL-FM, you can hear symphonies by these two American composers.