Welcome to this episode of Classical Gas, a podcast series created by radio host and producer Gail Wein and hosted by Classical Voice North America.
The focus of this episode is Chickasaw American composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, who expresses his native influences in the symphonic music, ballet, and opera that he creates. Tate was born in 1968. All of his compositions have been commissioned by North American orchestras, ensembles, and organizations, and his works are performed throughout the world.
Observing that flutes and drums were basic to all ancient cultures, including native-American cultures, Tate explains that the main percussion instrument of his tribe was the turtle rattle. “We are a shell-shaking culture,” he tells Wein, “and so our music had turtle rattles, and voice, and a little bit of flute, but not so prominent as it was in the plains.”
Tate’s father was Chickasaw, his mother Irish. It’s a wild world of music that flows through his veins:
Wein recently launched Classical Gas with a look back at the challenging art of Charles Ives, who has been the subject of sesquicentennial celebrations.
Wein explained that she chose the name Classical Gas because of its multiple implications: “Gas could be fuel or fun. It’s also a subtle reference to those of us of a certain age who recall the 1970s earworm guitar instrumental by Mason Williams.”
The veteran New York-based music journalist, radio host, and media consultant has contributed valuable commentary on NPR and other media outlets while also writing for Classical Voice North America. Find Wein’s Classical Gas podcasts here. Find Wein’s essays and reviews for Classical Voice North America here.
