TRILLOQUY

"America/Beautiful" is a project by pianist and arts advocate Min Kwon, in which she has commissioned a diverse group of more than 70 of today’s leading American composers to each compose a variation on “America the Beautiful.” Loki chats with Min about this project, her Center for Musical Excellence, and her nuanced view of what it means to take action toward a better America. Loki offers thoughts on his initial response to this project, and how dialogue gave him a more accurate view of it. 
Min Kwon
"American/Beautiful"
Center of Music Excellence
Daniel Bernard Roumain: “america, NEVER beautiful”
Kristjan Järvi: “Look up America”

★ Support this podcast ★

Loki chats with Devin Moore of the Isidore String Quartet about life as a professional chamber musician, what it looks like to help people reimagine this sub-genre of "classical" music, and how his Blackness shows up along the way. Loki unpacks how he sees an engagement of the Western classical tradition as being a part of decolonization. 
Isidore String Quartet
Adorations
Adoration by Florence Price, arr. by Samuel Araya (perf. Isidore String Quartet)
String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 44 No. 3 by Felix Mendelssohn (perf. Isidore String Quartet)

★ Support this podcast ★

On April 16-19, 2026 the Gateways Music Festival will join forces with the Dance Theatre of Harlem to present Igor Stravinsky's "Firebird", led by acclaimed conductor Jeri Lynne Johnson. Jeri joins Loki to talk about her historic firsts as a Black woman conductor, her Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, and her work with the Gateways Music Festival. 
Jeri Lynne Johnson
Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra
Gateways Music Festival
Dance Theatre of Harlem
Infernal Dance (perf. London Symphony Orchestra/Stokowski) 
Firebird Finale (perf. London Symphony Orchestra/Stokowski) 

★ Support this podcast ★

On March 27, 2026, Naxos Records released "When the Caged Bird Sings" - a new work for orchestra, chorus, and soloists by composer Nkeiru Okoye. Nkeiru joins Loki to talk about her identity as a composer of both African-American and Nigerian heritage, her new recording, and her experiences working with all of the collaborators along the way. Loki offers a Buddhist parable on the subject of caged birds. 
Nkeiru Okoye
When the Caged Bird Sings
Video Trailer 

★ Support this podcast ★

Loki chats with Nathalie Joachim about the recent release of "Black Being", a four-movement work by Nathalie and Allison Loggins-Hull featuring the Chicago Sinfonietta and poetry by Jaki Shelton Green. Loki offers his take on the end of Flutronix, and the importance of the acceptance of change and transition. 
Nathalie Joachim
Allison Loggins-Hull
Jaki Shelton Green
Chicago Sinfonietta
"Black Being"

★ Support this podcast ★