How many ways are there of looking at a blackbird? At least 13, in the musical eyes of the intensely private and eccentric composer Louise Talma. Donald Macleod explores the life and work of this true MacDowell junkie who notched up an incredible 43 residences, with help from Talma's biographer Kendra Preston Leonard.
Plus, the loss of Marian MacDowell as director of the colony brings both searching artistic questions and also financial crisis to the artists' community. Historian Robin Rausch charts how the colony found a new footing.

Howe: Interlude between 2 pieces (1942): "Traits"
Emerson Meyers, piano
Wallace Mann, flute
Chamber Arts Society of Catholic University of America

Talma: Variations on 13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird
Nanette McGuinness, soprano
Jan Roberts-Hayden, flute
Sylvie Beaudette,piano

Howe: Pieces after Emily Dickinson (1941)
Werner Lywen, violin
George Steiner, violin
Norman Lamb, viola
John Martin, cello
Chamber Arts Society of Catholic University of America

Talma: Full Circle (1985)
Ambache Chamber Orchestra
Diana Ambache, conductor. Show less