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Indigenous Classical Music with William Barton

November 10, 2023, 8:00 pm

William Barton (center) visits LaRob K. Rafael and Kristina Lynn in the Levin Studio

On this episode of Sounds Classical, LaRob and Kristina get curious about indigenous instruments like the bone flute and how they’ve made their way into 21st century classical sounds. They are also joined by Australian Aboriginal composer and didgeridooist William Barton to discuss his journey fusing classical sounds with the music he learned from his elders!

A Beginner’s Guide to Indigenous Instruments of Illinois

Adela Skowronski | November 23, 2022

The very name Illinois comes from the confederation of native tribes who lived here — the Illini or Illiwek — composed of at least twelve tribes.

Playlist

Kalkadungu
V. “Spirit of Kalkadungu”
William Barton
Sydney Symphony/Richard Gill; William Barton, didgeridoo

The Four Seasons: Summer, RV. 315
III. “Presto”
Antonio Vivaldi
Francisco Fullana, v; Apollo’s Fire/Jeannette Sorrell

Earth Cry
Peter Sculthorpe
Queensland Symphony Orchestra/Michael Christie; William Barton, didgeridoo

The Sun
Raymond Carlos Nakai
Raymond Carlos Nakai, Navajo flute; chamber ensemble

Blumine
Gustav Mahler
Bamberg Symphony/Jakub Hrůša

Film Score from River
“Wildness”
William Barton
Australian Chamber Orchestra; William Barton, vocals

Johnny B. Goode
Chuck Berry, arr. William Barton
William Barton, didgeridoo and vocals

Meet the Hosts

LaRob K. Rafael joined the WFMT announcing staff in 2020 as a fill-in host and became WFMT’s full-time weekend morning host and producer in Fall of 2021. A Bass-Baritone from the DMV area (Maryland), LaRob has been involved with music since childhood and is a graduate of DePaul University, where he studied Vocal Performance. He has since gone on to work with arts organizations including Lyric Opera of Chicago, La Caccina (a professional women’s ensemble), Black Opera Alliance, Black Administrators of Opera, and Sphinx Organization to name a few. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Hearing in Color and combines his experience and research to change the predominantly white, European, male classical canon.

Kristina Lynn is a producer and host at WFMT, presenting both Sounds Classical with LaRob K. Rafael, and Evening Music on Friday nights. She has hosted live performances and artist interviews with the Rush Hour Concerts and has done voiceover work for the WFMT Radio Network. With an easygoing approach, Kristina aims to welcome all types of listeners to classical music and explore the art form from a 21st-century perspective. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree specializing in Trumpet Performance from DePaul University. Before announcing at WFMT, she has previously worked in radio production at both WFMT and at WQXR in New York.

Through the Night with Peter van de Graaff

Through the Night with Peter van de Graaff

Indigenous Classical Music with William Barton

Related

A Beginner’s Guide to Indigenous Instruments of Illinois

Adela Skowronski | November 23, 2022

Playlist