Radiolab – “In C” (December 15, 2009)

Episode Overview

This episode of Radiolab, hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, dives into the avant-garde world of Terry Riley's In C—a 1964 minimalist composition that revolutionized modern classical music. The show explores how In C influenced generations of composers, investigates its process and improvisatory structure, and spotlights a contemporary “remix” project featuring contributions from the hosts and notable musicians. Woven through the episode are playful discussions, personal stories, and a demonstration of the merging of music, experimentation, and family life.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Revisiting the 'Numbers' Theme and Introducing 'In C'

The episode begins with a callback to Radiolab’s previous “Numbers Show,” playing a tape of young Mina (Lulu Miller’s child) learning how to count. This audio sets a thematic bridge to tonight's main focus: music built on simple motifs and repetition (05:39 – 06:22).
Jad Abumrad: “What I’m going to do is take that tape and play it for you in a completely new context, a non-Radiolab context.” (06:26)

2. History and Significance of Terry Riley’s In C

Jad introduces In C, explaining its pivotal role in rescuing classical music from growing overly dissonant and inaccessible, and laying the groundwork for minimalism in modern music (06:44 – 07:56).
Jad Abumrad: “It was like a watershed moment ... in C inspired Philip Glass and Steve Reich and scores of movie music ... that whole explosion of minimalism.” (08:02)
The hosts note In C’s surprisingly wide-reaching legacy, touching everything from classical composition to techno and movie scores.

3. The Contemporary Remix Project

Jad discusses his participation in a remix album by the Grand Valley State New Music Ensemble, who invited 16 to 18 artists to reinterpret In C (08:38).
Personal story: Jad was approached for this project during his paternity leave, leading to a unique fusion of fatherhood and music in his contribution (08:59 – 09:11).

4. Remix #1: Michael Lowenstern

Jad spotlights Michael Lowenstern, clarinetist and composer, and his remix of In C.
- Michael explores the role of randomness within the structured framework of remixes, especially in the drum parts.
- Michael Lowenstern: “The whole thing about In C is that it's really, it's about randomness ... And so the things that are most usually structured about any remix, especially a dance mix, is going to be the drums ... Well, that was the one thing that I threw to a random generator.” (09:49 – 10:20)
- He details his process of algorithmically shuffling and chopping up the drum tracks for a fresh, dynamic take (10:27 – 10:38).

5. Remix #2: Zoë Keating – “Zinc”

Jad introduces Zoë Keating, a cellist familiar to Radiolab listeners, who dubs her remix "Zinc" (11:59 – 12:09).
- Zoë shares vulnerability about handling such an iconic piece.
- Zoë Keating: “When I got the call to do it, I was sort of, like, both intrigued and scared. Because In C is such a well-known piece.” (11:59 – 12:09)
- She discusses the symbolism of the key of C as “childlike optimism” and likens the experience to a rushing waterfall (12:22 – 13:04).
- Zoë Keating: “I think of C and C major as being sort of childlike ... that beautiful California blue ... that is a C major sky.” (12:34 – 12:39)

6. Remix #3: Jad’s “Counting in C”

With self-deprecation, Jad unveils his own remix, “Counting in C,” blending Mina’s counting tape, the repetitive musical patterns of In C, and playful sounds from around his home.
- Jad Abumrad: “I thought, I’m gonna remix this piece as kind of a children’s song.” (16:22 – 16:33)
- The track features voices of both Mina and Jad’s own son, Emile, combining personal storytelling with musical homage (16:44 – 16:49).
- The remix is played in full (16:52 – ~20:53).

7. Reflections and Playful Banter After the Mixes

Jad and Robert reflect humorously on the result, with Robert joking that listeners shouldn’t encourage Jad’s musical pursuits too much for fear of losing him to a new career (22:52 – 23:31).
- Robert Krulwich: “Don’t write the man because I don’t want him to think about other career options because I could hear nasal stuff, Brooklyn playground stuff. Mina, I heard the drawers of your desk. It got every little thing.” (23:02 – 23:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Jad Abumrad (on the genesis of In C):
“People were writing all kinds of, like, really dissonant stuff. And it was interesting for a while, but then it became a little dull. Little hurtful, actually. People were losing interest. But then along comes our man Terry Riley, who writes this piece, In C. Very joyous.” (07:17 – 07:39)
Zoë Keating (on the emotional space of C major):
“When I think of, like, the key of C, I think of this sort of childlike optimism ... Like, I'm looking out the window right now, and the sky is that beautiful California blue. And that is a C major sky.” (12:34 – 12:39)
Michael Lowenstern (on structure vs. randomness):
“All of the drums are chopped up, and then it'll start shuffling.” (10:38)
Jad Abumrad (parental pride and artistic vulnerability):
“It’s true. I was kind of shameless. It’s true. But, okay, no more music for a while.” (23:26 – 23:31)

Important Timestamps

05:39 – 06:22: Introduction of Mina’s counting tape and the connection to musical structure.
06:44 – 07:56: Background and cultural significance of Terry Riley's In C.
09:31 – 10:38: Michael Lowenstern describes his remix process and the role of randomness.
11:59 – 13:04: Zoë Keating discusses her approach, emotional associations with the key of C, and the childlike optimism it represents.
15:26 – 16:33: Jad sets up his remix, explaining how fatherhood and music blended.
16:52 – ~20:53: Full play-through of Jad’s “Counting in C.”
22:52 – 23:31: Robert’s playful warning not to encourage Jad’s music career shift.

Tone and Style

The episode maintains Radiolab’s signature blend of curiosity, playful banter, and hands-on demonstration.
Hosts are candid, self-aware, and often humorous—even gently self-deprecating.
There’s an undercurrent of wonder and warmth, especially as personal stories mingle with musical and cultural history.

Summary

“In C” is a celebration of musical experimentation, heritage, and the joy of combining art with life’s everyday wonders. Through conversations and remixes, Radiolab brings minimalist music’s legacy to life and personalizes it for a new audience, demonstrating that curiosity and creativity are deeply intertwined—whether in avant-garde composition, home life, or the magic of counting to three.

Radiolab – “In C” (December 15, 2009)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Revisiting the 'Numbers' Theme and Introducing 'In C'

The episode begins with a callback to Radiolab’s previous “Numbers Show,” playing a tape of young Mina (Lulu Miller’s child) learning how to count. This audio sets a thematic bridge to tonight's main focus: music built on simple motifs and repetition (05:39 – 06:22).
Jad Abumrad: “What I’m going to do is take that tape and play it for you in a completely new context, a non-Radiolab context.” (06:26)

2. History and Significance of Terry Riley’s In C

Jad introduces In C, explaining its pivotal role in rescuing classical music from growing overly dissonant and inaccessible, and laying the groundwork for minimalism in modern music (06:44 – 07:56).
Jad Abumrad: “It was like a watershed moment ... in C inspired Philip Glass and Steve Reich and scores of movie music ... that whole explosion of minimalism.” (08:02)
The hosts note In C’s surprisingly wide-reaching legacy, touching everything from classical composition to techno and movie scores.

3. The Contemporary Remix Project

Jad discusses his participation in a remix album by the Grand Valley State New Music Ensemble, who invited 16 to 18 artists to reinterpret In C (08:38).
Personal story: Jad was approached for this project during his paternity leave, leading to a unique fusion of fatherhood and music in his contribution (08:59 – 09:11).

4. Remix #1: Michael Lowenstern

Jad spotlights Michael Lowenstern, clarinetist and composer, and his remix of In C.
- Michael explores the role of randomness within the structured framework of remixes, especially in the drum parts.
- Michael Lowenstern: “The whole thing about In C is that it's really, it's about randomness ... And so the things that are most usually structured about any remix, especially a dance mix, is going to be the drums ... Well, that was the one thing that I threw to a random generator.” (09:49 – 10:20)
- He details his process of algorithmically shuffling and chopping up the drum tracks for a fresh, dynamic take (10:27 – 10:38).

5. Remix #2: Zoë Keating – “Zinc”

Jad introduces Zoë Keating, a cellist familiar to Radiolab listeners, who dubs her remix "Zinc" (11:59 – 12:09).
- Zoë shares vulnerability about handling such an iconic piece.
- Zoë Keating: “When I got the call to do it, I was sort of, like, both intrigued and scared. Because In C is such a well-known piece.” (11:59 – 12:09)
- She discusses the symbolism of the key of C as “childlike optimism” and likens the experience to a rushing waterfall (12:22 – 13:04).
- Zoë Keating: “I think of C and C major as being sort of childlike ... that beautiful California blue ... that is a C major sky.” (12:34 – 12:39)

6. Remix #3: Jad’s “Counting in C”

With self-deprecation, Jad unveils his own remix, “Counting in C,” blending Mina’s counting tape, the repetitive musical patterns of In C, and playful sounds from around his home.
- Jad Abumrad: “I thought, I’m gonna remix this piece as kind of a children’s song.” (16:22 – 16:33)
- The track features voices of both Mina and Jad’s own son, Emile, combining personal storytelling with musical homage (16:44 – 16:49).
- The remix is played in full (16:52 – ~20:53).

7. Reflections and Playful Banter After the Mixes

Jad and Robert reflect humorously on the result, with Robert joking that listeners shouldn’t encourage Jad’s musical pursuits too much for fear of losing him to a new career (22:52 – 23:31).
- Robert Krulwich: “Don’t write the man because I don’t want him to think about other career options because I could hear nasal stuff, Brooklyn playground stuff. Mina, I heard the drawers of your desk. It got every little thing.” (23:02 – 23:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Jad Abumrad (on the genesis of In C):
“People were writing all kinds of, like, really dissonant stuff. And it was interesting for a while, but then it became a little dull. Little hurtful, actually. People were losing interest. But then along comes our man Terry Riley, who writes this piece, In C. Very joyous.” (07:17 – 07:39)
Zoë Keating (on the emotional space of C major):
“When I think of, like, the key of C, I think of this sort of childlike optimism ... Like, I'm looking out the window right now, and the sky is that beautiful California blue. And that is a C major sky.” (12:34 – 12:39)
Michael Lowenstern (on structure vs. randomness):
“All of the drums are chopped up, and then it'll start shuffling.” (10:38)
Jad Abumrad (parental pride and artistic vulnerability):
“It’s true. I was kind of shameless. It’s true. But, okay, no more music for a while.” (23:26 – 23:31)

Important Timestamps

05:39 – 06:22: Introduction of Mina’s counting tape and the connection to musical structure.
06:44 – 07:56: Background and cultural significance of Terry Riley's In C.
09:31 – 10:38: Michael Lowenstern describes his remix process and the role of randomness.
11:59 – 13:04: Zoë Keating discusses her approach, emotional associations with the key of C, and the childlike optimism it represents.
15:26 – 16:33: Jad sets up his remix, explaining how fatherhood and music blended.
16:52 – ~20:53: Full play-through of Jad’s “Counting in C.”
22:52 – 23:31: Robert’s playful warning not to encourage Jad’s music career shift.

Tone and Style

The episode maintains Radiolab’s signature blend of curiosity, playful banter, and hands-on demonstration.
Hosts are candid, self-aware, and often humorous—even gently self-deprecating.
There’s an undercurrent of wonder and warmth, especially as personal stories mingle with musical and cultural history.

wavePod

In C

Summary

Radiolab – “In C” (December 15, 2009)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Revisiting the 'Numbers' Theme and Introducing 'In C'

2. History and Significance of Terry Riley’s In C

3. The Contemporary Remix Project

4. Remix #1: Michael Lowenstern

5. Remix #2: Zoë Keating – “Zinc”

6. Remix #3: Jad’s “Counting in C”

7. Reflections and Playful Banter After the Mixes

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Tone and Style

Summary

Transcript

Summary

Radiolab – “In C” (December 15, 2009)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Revisiting the 'Numbers' Theme and Introducing 'In C'

2. History and Significance of Terry Riley’s In C

3. The Contemporary Remix Project

4. Remix #1: Michael Lowenstern

5. Remix #2: Zoë Keating – “Zinc”

6. Remix #3: Jad’s “Counting in C”

7. Reflections and Playful Banter After the Mixes

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Tone and Style

Summary