June 6, 2003 - In episode 10 of American Mavericks series, the evolution of the orchestra is explored. Program includes music segments of highlighted composers and interviews with various people in the classical music world, including Vivian Perlis, John Adams, Tan Dun, Michael Torke, Lou Harrison, Steve Reich, Steven Mackey, and David Del Tredici.
July 24, 2001 - John Banvard (BAN verd) was the most famous living painter in the world and the first millionaire artist. He was acclaimed by the likes of Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens. Today he is barely a footnote to history. You probably wont recognize any of the names in author Paul Collins's new book "Banvard's Folly: Thirteen Tales of Renowned Obscurity, Famous Anonymity, and Rotten Luck." These are the stories of people who rose to great heights and quickly sank into obscurity. Collins told MPR's Stephanie Curtis that he considers some of his subjects unlucky geniuses and others inspired huxsters.