Description: Composer John Cage creates a live musical performance event on WGBH radio's “Chamberworks.” "Chamberworks" host Bill Cavness introduces the piece and invites listeners to call in and become part of it. Cage sits in the booth and takes calls. Interview with Cage on the acceptance and understanding of his enigmatic, elusive work. Musicians play as part of the live musical performance. Interview with musicians on playing pieces composed by Cage.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/25/1988
Description: Composer John Harbison working with Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor Seiji Ozawa on a piece commissioned by the BSO. Interview Harbison on his composing process and what he wants to listener to get out of his work. Ozawa leads the BSO in rehearsal of Harbison's work. Violinist Joel Smirnoff in back of orchestra.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/22/1984
Description: Interview with Boston Pops conductor John Williams in back room at Symphony Hall. He compares the repertoires and missions of the Pops versus the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He speaks about his possible plans for expanding the repertoire of the orchestra, the types of music they might adapt, and the changes it would require. He says he doesn't want to use Pops as a place to showcase his own work. He laughs about kids always asking why he doesn't play Star Wars. He discusses his future involvement with Pops and staying in Boston. They shoot cutaways with no audio. Lydon reasks questions, with audio.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 07/01/1981
Description: Stevie Wonder demonstrates a Kurweil Reading Machine with text-to-speech capability, which enables blind people to read printed text. He uses the machine to help him read instructions for his synthesizer, so he can compose a song. He jokes around with the audience. He sings part of "I Just Called to Say I Love You." A Boston politician presents Wonder with a commemorative award of his visit to Boston. Wonder addresses the crowd and talks about how the Reading Machine is making a more "harmonious world." Several takes of reporter stand up. A man demonstrates a computer with a touchscreen and Deck Talk features.
1:00:00: Visual: An audience from the technology industry is gathered in the ballroom of the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. Stevie Wonder (pop singer) is at the front of the room, preparing to demonstrate the Kurzweil reading machine and DECtalk machine, which allow him to fully operate a synthesizer. Wonder stands before the keyboard. Wonder explains that the computer keyboard interfaces with the synthesizer; that he cannot operate the machine because he cannot see the controls. Wonder pushes a knob and a computerized voice says what the button does. Wonder begins to program the keyboard. Wonder program the keyboard to play like a piano. Wonder programs the synthesizer to lay down a drumbeat. Wonder stops the drumbeat. Wonder plays and records the tune to the song, "I Just Called To Say I Love You." The audience applauds when he finishes. 1:05:57: V: Wonder says that the synthesizer allows him to create the sound of a band. He jokes that he cannot afford a band of his own. Wonder programs the synthesizer to sound like drums. Wonder plays the drum track over the recorded tune to the song, "I Just Called To Say I Love You." Shots of the audience. The audience applauds when he finishes. Wonder programs the synthesizer to play bass and strings. Wonder has to try a few times before successfully programming the machine. Wonder adds a track with strings to the other tracks of the song, "I Just Called To Say I Love You." 1:13:48: V: The audience applauds. Wonder sings along to the recorded tracks of the song, "I Just Called To Say I Love You." He adds a line to the song, singing "What it is, is something true, that technology like this makes it possible for me to do." The audience sings and claps along with Wonder. Wonder sings a line, thanking DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) and Raymond Kurzweiler (inventor of the reading machine). The audience gives Wonder a standing ovation. Wonder is guided to the podium. 1:17:16: V: Shots of the audience. A speaker presents Wonder with a silver Revere Bowl from Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) commemorating his visit to Boston. The audience applauds. 1:18:15: V: Shot of Wonder from the back of the room. Wonder stands at the podium. He talks about how technology makes communication easier. Shots of audience applauding. Meg Vaillancourt stands at the back of the room. Vaillancourt reports on Wonder's demonstration of new technology. 1:20:08: V: Shots of a computer on display at a vendor's table. Vaillancourt interviews the computer vendor. The computer vendor demonstrates the touch-sensitive screen on his computer. A computerized voice identifies which icon has been pushed. The computer vendor explains that the screen can show either text icons or picture icons. The computer vendor talks about the different voice options on the computer. The computer vendor programs the computer voices to repeat stock phrases for the camera.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/29/1985
Description: Grand lobby, interior of Music Hall. Ornate chandelier, marble columns, heavenly mural. Gilded architectural details — carved moldings, capitals, medallions, angels. Interview with Harry Lodge, who gives history of Music Hall (formerly Metropolitan Theater), originally designed in 1920s by Clarence Blackhall for Vaudeville and movies. Describes the proposed restoration program to be completed in fall 1980 if lease secured and funds raised. In order to bring the Metropolitan Opera to Boston, the theater needs deeper stage for performing arts, updated communication systems, ventilation systems, and a renovated auditorium (seats 4,300). The theater is used for ballet, concerts, movies. Lodge states that this renovation with revitalize Boston as a major center for the performing arts. Lodge shows a drawing of the proposed plan.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/21/1977
Description: Marcus Jones reports that opera singer Paul Spencer Adkins will be performing the lead male role in the Boston Lyric Opera Company's production of Tosca. Adkins is one of the few African American tenors performing in operas. Interview with Adkins, who says that there have been few African American romantic leads in opera; he says that he wants more African Americans to enter classical music. Adkins talks about his admiration for classical singer Roland Hayes, who lived in Brookline. Jones notes that Adkins is working on a documentary about Hayes. Jones' report includes footage of Adkins rehearsing for Tosca and footage of Roland Hayes.
1:00:09: Visual: Footage of Paul Spencer Adkins (opera singer) exiting his dressing room before a performance. Marcus Jones reports that Adkins is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; that Adkins is 38 years old; that Adkins has two children. Jones reports that Adkins is one of only a few African American tenors performing in an art form dominated by whites. V: Shots of the backstage area. Shots of a make-up artist applying make-up to Adkins. Shots of sheet music and wigs lying on top of a chest. Footage of Adkins saying that only a few African American men have achieved international recognition in the opera world. Adkins says that African American men have succeeded as baritones or basses; that there have been few successful African American romantic leads or tenors. Footage of Adkins performing the lead male role in Tosca at the Majestic Theatre. Jones reports that Adkins will perform in the Boston Lyric Opera Company's production of Tosca. Jones notes that Adkins is happy to perform in Boston; that Adkins is an admirer of Roland Hayes (classical singer), who lived in Brookline. V: Black and white footage of Hayes performing. Shots of a black and white photos of Hayes. Audio of Hayes performing a song. Footage of Adkins saying that Hayes was the first African American to have an international career as a classical singer. Adkins notes that Hayes was a tenor; that Hayes was never allowed to perform in an opera because of his race. Shot of a black and white photo of Hayes. Jones reports that Hayes was a trailblazer for African American men as classical singers. Jones notes that Adkins is working on a documentary about the life and time of Hayes; that the documentary is scheduled to air on PBS in February of 1990. V: Shot of Adkins being interviewed by Jones. Footage of Adkins saying that many talented African Americans do not enter classical music. Adkins says that he wants to show people that it is possible for an African American man to be a successful opera singer. Footage of Adkins performing in Tosca. Jones reports that Adkins has been in opera for eleven years; that Adkins is still considered young. V: Footage of Adkins saying that he has been the first African American tenor to perform on many opera stages across the US. Adkins says that he believes that he is making a difference; that he is proud to be African American. Adkins says that music can transcend race. Footage of Adkins performing in Tosca.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/15/1989
Description: Interview with Seiji Ozawa at the start of his seventh season as music director and conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He talks about his first visit to America to study at Tanglewood, which started his relationship with the BSO. He talks about the character and tradition of the orchestra and Boston's pride in it — just as for the Red Sox. They shoot establishing shots and cutaways for editing.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/04/1979
Description: Women's rights march on Beacon Hill and through downtown Boston. They gather at Government Center plaza. Woman sings women's rights folk song. Cuts of women speaking at a podium, especially about the issue of equal pay. One woman in the crowd argues that women already have more rights than men and criticizes the women speaking at the demonstration. Young people do a skit on stage. Closeups of people in the crowd, and signs with women's rights slogans. Quick clip of Governor Sargent speaking in the crowd. Rosemarie Van Camp does several takes of reporter standup. Sounds goes in and out throughout the video.
Collection: WHDH
Date Created: 08/26/1970