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James Bennett II

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(James Bennett II)

James Bennett II is a staff writer for WQXR.

James is a noted pineapple enthusiast and native of the original (read: Chesapeake) Bay Area. At the impressionable age of 17, he moved to New York in search of concrete pastures and scooped up a BA in history from Columbia University. Classical music had always been an interest, but it really switched on after he heard Yo-Yo Ma rip “Fear” from Astor Piazzolla’s Four Tango Sensations. It popped up on shuffle, and he listened to it no fewer than 40 times in a row. He’s also game to talk about jazz, hip-hop, and wave (chill, synth, vapor, or otherwise). James is also fond of funky ales, fall foliage, all things nautical, and harsh winters. Some would say he has a passing interest in the post-romantic situational comedy Friends.

James Bennett II appears in the following:

St. George and d'Eon

Black Classical: Composers and Conductors Who Shaped Music History

Tuesday, February 01, 2022

By James Bennett II

Here are just a few of the many composers and conductors that you should remember, for Black History Month and beyond.

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Conductor Centennial: Julius Rudel

Saturday, March 06, 2021

By James Bennett II

March 6, 2021, marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of conductor Julius Rudel. We’ll be highlighting several works from his conducting discography on air to mark the occasion.

Judas and the Black Messiah: Worldbuilding in Sound

Monday, March 01, 2021

WQXR's James Bennett II walks listeners through the score and soundtrack of Judas and the Black Messiah.

Daniel Laluuya (left) as Fred Hampton and Lakeith Stanfield as William O'Neal.

Judas and the Black Messiah: Worldbuilding in Sound

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

By James Bennett II

Punctuating the Action; or, A Soundtrack Doing what Soundtracks Do Best

The Romantic Artistry of George Walker

Thursday, February 18, 2021

By James Bennett II

Exploring the artistry of composer-pianist George Walker.

Searching with Robert Nathaniel Dett

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

By James Bennett II

A look at Robert Nathaniel Dett's lifelong search for sound.

harp in a park

Tripping with Alice Coltrane

Thursday, February 04, 2021

By James Bennett II

'Eternity' is journey, you know?

Composer Margaret Bonds

The Word is Bonds

Wednesday, February 03, 2021

By James Bennett II

On listening to Margaret Bonds and the impact of classical song.

Chamber Music Group (Joseph Wolins, 1939)

We Need to Be Listening to Reber's Fourth Symphony Way More Often

Thursday, January 28, 2021

By James Bennett II

Reber's Fourth Symphony is a vivacious and epic work. Why haven't we heard it live?

Soprano Fatma Said

Recognize the Light and Handle the Glare

Friday, January 15, 2021

By James Bennett II

Music does what music do.

Where are the Orchestra's Guitars?

Wednesday, January 06, 2021

By James Bennett II

Guitars are popular. They're everywhere, and if you don't know how to play, Dan Smith will teach you. So why aren't they in the orchestra?

Countdown 2020: The Takeaways

Friday, January 01, 2021

By James Bennett II

Thoughts and analysis from a countdown for a wild year.

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A scene from Humperdinck's 'Hansel and Gretel' with Lisette Oropesa as Gretel and Tara Erraught as Hansel.

Hold On — Why Is 'Hansel and Gretel' a Christmas Piece?

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

By James Bennett II

Ever wondered why certain classical pieces seem so characteristically "holiday" and "New York?"

A Beethoven Enthusiast (Ein Beethovenschwärmer)

Even With Quiet Concert Halls, Beethoven Talk Still Dominated 2020

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

By James Bennett II

We didn’t listen to a ton of Beethoven like we thought we would this year. But we did talk about him. A lot.

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Napoleon Bonaparte in the uniform of Colonel of Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard

Big Fan: 5 Beethoven Dedicatees

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

By James Bennett II / Camille Mojica

Here's a list of five pieces Beethoven wrote for others and the stories behind them.

The Ensemble, Bearthoven

Sound of Silk

Thursday, December 10, 2020

By James Bennett II

I mean, this is just one way of hearing it.

2020. It's Been a Year.

Thursday, December 03, 2020

By James Bennett II

Classical artists reflect on what the unexpected year meant for them, for music, and the future.

'Lenox Ave' (Sargent Claude Johnson)

'Five Negro Folksongs in Counterpoint' is a Musical Centerpiece

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

By James Bennett II

Have I found my official Thanksgiving theme? Yes, yes I have.

In Awe of the Agile Sax

Thursday, November 19, 2020

By James Bennett II

Pedro Iturralde's Pequeña Czarda; or, "Kneel before the might of Sax Almighty."

Ogival arches at Saint-Étienne-du-Mont

Satie's Ogives: Ring, Ring, Ring

Thursday, November 05, 2020

By James Bennett II

Of shepherd's pie and minty gum.

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