Sara Fishko

Very few musicians have had careers as distinctive as that of the pianist Glenn Gould, whose relatively short life ended 30 years ago. Gould would have turned 80 this month, and as WNYC’s Sara Fishko tells us, he’s still a compelling figure for fellow-pianists.  Here is the next Fishko Files.

Tourists and New Yorkers are flocking to the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero, a year after its opening.  WNYC’s Sara Fishko considers what a personal, “non-virtual” visit to the site may mean…in this edition of Fishko Files…

A newly discovered novel by crime writer James M. Cain, entitled “The Cocktail Waitress,” is finally being published this month --35 years after the author’s death. WNYC’s Sara Fishko offers a glimpse of Cain’s life and work – in this edition of Fishko Files.

WNYC’s Sara Fishko considers the over-the-top life and under-the-radar music of the Russian composer Anton Arensky (from March 2011).

Composer Claude Debussy’s 150^th birth anniversary is next week. He was one of many composers of the past who made early piano rolls and recordings -- and they have WNYC’s Sara Fishko pondering the nature of interpretation, in this edition of Fishko Files…

With the Mostly Mozart Festival in full-swing, WNYC’s Sara Fishko talks to music-thinkers who help her get “inside” Mozart’s music –in this edition of Fishko Files (originally produced in 2006).

First, Shakespeare in the Park, and now, Shakespeare in the Parking Lot! In honor of the many faces of summer Shakespeare in New York, WNYC’s Sara Fishko considers the infinite variations on the Bard’s most celebrated play – in this edition of  Fishko Files.

In difficult economic times in the late 1930s, spirits were lifted by a World’s Fair. WNYC’s Sara Fishko takes us back to 1939 in this edition of Fishko Files (produced in 2009). 

A new set of recordings, just out, celebrates the work of the great conductor Arturo Toscanini--with 84 CDs!  And as WNYC’s Sara Fishko tells us, even that may not be enough to understand Toscanini’s impact. Here is the next Fishko Files…

Happy 100th Birthday to Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Guthrie. His centenary is Saturday—and he’s the subject of this edition of Fishko Files…

In this archival edition, WNYC’s Sara Fishko looked back at recordings of pianists of the 20^th century, just as the year 2000 approached. (Produced in 1999)

On the occasion of Ms. Magazine’s 40th anniversary, WNYC’s Sara Fishko asks: what’s the history of that term “Ms.,” anyway? It’s the subject of today’s Fishko Files

In hundreds of Hollywood films, from “Modern Times” to “Casablanca,” you could hear violinist Louis Kaufman’s golden tone shining through. But Kaufman’s name and musical gifts were largely unknown outside the studios.  WNYC’s Sara Fishko takes us inside. Produced in 2003. 

The Delacorte Theater in Central Park was launched on June 18^th, 1962, especially for Joe Papp’s Shakespeare productions. In this 50^th anniversary season, WNYC’s Sara Fishko has the story of the determined Mr. Papp, and his long road to Shakespeare in the Park.  Here is the next Fishko Files. 

Being a musician, even a good amateur musician, requires hours of practice alone with one's instrument. But many players prefer company, and still rely on a system that's more than a half-century old. WNYC’s Sara Fishko visits Music Minus One. (Produced January, 2000)

Lena Horne and author David Margolick take us through the tangled story of a short song –Strange Fruit, 1930. (This Fishko Files was produced in 2000)

Next week will see the release of the cast album of the Tony-nominated Broadway production of Porgy and Bess.  As WNYC’s Sara Fishko tells us, the controversy over the style and scale of the musical is in keeping with the long history of the piece.  Here is the next Fishko Files…

With some good advice from her mother (“who needs Harvard?”), political dynamo Bella Abzug went to law school and later exploded on the political consciousness in the 1970s. As WNYC’s Sara Fishko tells us, listening to Bella is still a powerful experience.  (Produced in 2008).

This coming Wednesday, a rare performance of the Busoni Piano Concerto will be heard at Carnegie Hall. As WNYC’s Sara Fishko tells us, Busoni was a musician with a fantastic combination of gifts, musical styles and inspiring thoughts about music’s future. Here is the next Fishko Files.