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Discovering a Composer Both Experimental and Austere

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews some commemorative recordings of the late Swiss composer and conductor Frank Martin, who isn't well known in the U.S. His music was often moody and unsettling, and religious in nature.

06:05
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Other segments from the episode on January 8, 1991

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, January 8, 1991: Interview with Carl Sagan; Review of the album "Frank Martin Dirige Frank Martin"; Interview with Christopher Durang; Review of Philip Roth's book …
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24:15

Carl Sagan on Preventing Nuclear Winter

The famed astronomer and writer is co-author of the new book, "A Path Where No Man Thought." It's about the theory that even a small nuclear war would lead to a nuclear winter that would devastate the earth.

Interview
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12:29

Playwright Christopher Durang on New York Theater

Durang is best-known for his controversial play, "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You." A new collection of six of his plays has just come out called "Christopher Durang Explains It All For You." He joins Fresh Air to talk about some of his successes and failures, and his frustrations with New York theater.

Interview
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03:55

Philip Roth's "Patrimony"

Book critic John Leonard reviews the new family memoir by the prolific novelist. He says it features many of the same themes found in Roth's fiction, like an obsession with memory, and one usually absent: love.

Review

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Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

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07:27

Every Composer Needs A Great Storyteller

EMI has just reissued a broad spectrum of German conductor Otto Klemperer's recordings, including a box set of one of the composers he's most associated with: Gustav Mahler.

Review
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08:05

Review: Jonas Kaufmann Sings Wagner And Verdi

At 44, the German tenor Jonas Kaufmann may be the most popular tenor of his generation in the international opera world, and one of the most versatile. Among his recordings this year are albums dedicated to both Verdi and Wagner, celebrating the bicentennials of their birth.

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07:42

Benita Valente: An Exquisitely Pure, Operatic Voice

Soprano Benita valente has retired from singing, though at 75, she's still remarkably active behind the scenes as an educator, organizer and fundraiser. She may not be the world's most famous singer, but a selection of her recordings leads off a new series on Bridge Records called Great Singers of the 20th Century. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz agrees with the title.

Review

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