Now Playing: The Best Is Noise - The Ursula Oppens Interview

Ursula Openns reads mystery novels and never listens to background music. Not even Satie's "Vexations."

As I sat with her on the couch of her Upper West Side apartment, she told me so many wonderful stories of her life in music, some of which I'd never heard, that I was almost overwhelmed. But she was so humble and engaging that I could have listened for hours. She told me as I was stepping out that she probably told me everything, but I don't believe it.

Oppens, who has commissioned so much music that she has almost single-handedly shaped the direction of the American piano repertoire in the last half century, is a wellspring of musical insight, wisdom, and humility. Topics and people we discussed include her longtime friendship with Frederic Rzewski (whose "The People United Will Never Be Defeated!" she premiered), her mentorship with Elliott Carter, her working relationship with Morton Feldman, her *unbelievably cute* relationship with Jerome Lowenthal, the role of improvisation in her work, why she got into music by living composers in the first place, and much more.

On February 3, she will be 80. For the occasion, Merkin Hall will host a concert, "Ursula and Friends," on the same day. She'll perform alongside some of her closest colleagues, friends, and students. What a special time to reflect on what has been and what is to come in her musical development.

Hope you enjoy! Thank you, Ursula, for everything.

(Photo courtesy Hilary Scott)