Week of September 14, 2026: Ralph Vaughan Williams – Composer of nine masterful symphonies, editor of the English Hymnal, an ambulance driver in WWI and great-nephew to Charles Darwin, Ralph Vaughan Williams was a prolific and intriguing figure who was at the forefront of English music in the early 20th century. We’ll look at his life, listen to his friends perform his music, and hear the music that inspired him.

Week of September 21, 2026: Darius Milhaud (1892-1974) – Darius Milhaud stands among history’s most prolific composers. His boundless curiosity drew him to cultures and sounds from every corner of the globe, and his music is alive with inspiration and imagination. Born in Southern France, he traveled to Brazil and later to California, where he taught young musicians including Burt Bacharach, Dave Brubeck, and William Bolcom. Host Peter van de Graaff invites you into the vibrant musical world of Darius Milhand this week on Exploring Music.

Week of September 28, 2026: A Guitar Fest – This week’s show was inspired by a listener who suggested we dedicate some time to Andrés Segovia. He wrote, “Of all musicians I have known, no one dominated the field as he did. Almost single-handedly, he converted the guitar from a plaything to a concert instrument. Several composers dedicated their works to him. An amazing artist and an unforgettable man.” So, this week, we’ll hear Andrés Segovia and his colleagues perform guitar pieces by J.S. Bach, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Isaac Albéniz, and Leo Brouwer.