Classical California Ultimate Playlist

A River Runs Through This Music

Explore the stories behind classical compositions inspired by rivers, from Smetana's The Moldau to Beglarian's BRIM: The River Project, and their transformative power.

Your 20 Favorite Movie Scores

Explore the 2022 Classical California Ultimate Playlist featuring top 20 movie music pieces, from John Williams' Star Wars to Elmer Bernstein’s The Magnificent Seven.

Opera’s Ultimate Five-Minute Interlude: The Meditation from “Thais”

Explore the enduring appeal of Jules Massenet's "Meditation from Thaïs", a five-minute interlude that has become a beloved piece in the classical music repertoire.

Alexander Borodin Goes to Broadway

Explore how Borodin's Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor made Broadway history in Kismet, winning multiple Tony Awards, including a posthumous one for Borodin.

An Obsessive Love that Mirrored Life

Explore the dramatic tale of Hector Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, an autobiographical piece reflecting his obsessive love for actress Harriet Smithson and his descent into madness.

Classical California Ultimate Playlist: Selections From Our Open Ears Series

Explore the Classical California Ultimate Playlist curated by KUSC's Jeffrey Freymann, featuring works by Eva Jessye, Julius Eastman, Undine Smith Moore, María Luisa Anido, and Margaret Bonds.