The Patchwork Suite
Touchstone Award Winner - Radio Long Form 2024
In "The Patchwork Suite" podcast, composers are asked to draw musical inspiration from a given classical theme and extra-musical inspiration from a textile of choice. This season, composers put their unique spin on “Vals Melódico,” a theme from the piano work Valses Poéticos by Spanish composer Enrique Granados (1867-1916). Mary Claire Murphy introduces the Granados theme, and then its melody blossoms throughout the season as composers write their own contemporary variation on it. We get to explore the particulars of each variation and learn about the incredible artists along the way. By the end, we’ll have woven a colorful and diverse patchwork of creativity. Join us as this musical tapestry takes shape!
Season 2 evolves the pilot concept from its textile emphasis to now take listeners on a cross-country and cross-continent exploration of mural artwork, all while composers put their own spin on a lament by the 19th century classical guitar virtuosa, Madame Sidney Pratten. Following Mary Claire’s introduction to the lament theme, each episode highlights a single variation and composer, so that by the end of the sequence, we’ll have patched together a brand new and diversely influenced theme and variations suite.
