WNYC-FM celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special concert live from Alice Tully Hall. Twelve composers present world premiere pieces inspired by Pulitzer Prize awarded poet John Ashbery. Composer works are by Laurie Anderson, Milton Babbitt, Sergio Cervetti, John Corigliano, Anthony Davis, Philip Glass, Morton Gould, Robin Holcomb, Tania León, Peter Schickele, Raphael Mostel, and Joan Tower.

From the June 1994 WNYC Program Guide:

Laurie Anderson who has defined performance art does a piece for voice and sounds on tape.

Milton Babbitt, dean of American avant garde composers, contributes a work for sorprano, violin, cello, flute, and clarinet.

Sergio Cervetti, composer of works for dance, electronic pieces, and lyrical art songs, offers something for soprano, string quartet, and harpsichord.

John Corigliano, composer of the opera The Ghosts of Versailles, gives us a composition for solo piano.

Anthony Davis known for jazz compositions and recordings as a soloist and with his group, Episteme, offers a piece for soprano and chamber ensemble.

Philip Glass, composer of Einstein on the Beech and a number of acclaimed operas and music/theater works, has written a piece for solo piano.

Morton Gould, whose works have been played by every major American orchestra, performs music for solo piano.

Robin Holcomb, who combines elements of rock, jazz, traditional American and more experimental styles, plays a song for voice, piano, synthesizer, electric guitar, bass and drums.

Tania León whose compositions draw on her Afro0Cuban roots, offers a piece for voice, cello and marimba.

Raphael Mostel, leader of the Tibetan Singing Bowl Ensemble, conducts a work for multiple voices and singing Tibetan bowls.

Peter Schickele, composer and host of one of radio's most eclectic programs, premieres a piece for piano six-hands.

Joan Tower, composer of chamber works, piano pieces, and orchestral scores, contributes a piece for solo piano.

Among the musicans are: Ursula Oppens, piano; Christopher O'Riley, piano; Cheryl Marshall, soprano; Bill Frisell, electric guitar; and the Essex String Quartet.

WNYC archives id: 152273