November 24, 1992

A New Opera Follows Malcolm X's Internal Transformation

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews "X," the opera by composer Anthony Davis, about the life and times of Malcom X. It's just came out on CD. The opera is Wagnerian in scale and style, but it also has allusions to the music of Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, and John Coltrane, and others.

08:12

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Contributor

Lloyd Schwartz

Other segments from the episode on November 24, 1992

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, November 24, 1992: Interview with Gerald Early; Review of Anthony Davis's album "X"; Interview with Anthony Davis.

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November 24, 1992

23:01

Writer Gerald Early on His Changing Views on Malcolm X

Early is director of Afro-American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. He'll talk with Terry about why he used to like Malcolm X, and why he no longer does. His article. "Their Malcolm, My Problem," appears in December's issue of Harper's Magazine.

Interview

Gerald Lyn Early

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November 24, 1992

12:56

Anthony Davis on Using European Forms to Tell the Story of Malcolm X

Composer Anthony Davis's opera "X" based on the life of Malcolm X, and has just come out on CD. It premiered in 1986. Terry talks with David about what Malcolm X meant to him and why he decided to compose an opera on his life. Davis has received international recognition for his compositions as well as his performances as a solo pianist and the leader of the ensemble Episteme.

Interview

Anthony Davis

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A New Opera Follows Malcolm X's Internal Transformation

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Other segments from the episode on November 24, 1992

Writer Gerald Early on His Changing Views on Malcolm X

Anthony Davis on Using European Forms to Tell the Story of Malcolm X

Transcript

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