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"What Makes It Great?": Rob Kapilow

Tomorrow night at 7:30, Rob Kapilow joins the Rawlins Piano Trio at the National Music Museum for a “What Makes It Great” program exploring Beethoven’s Archduke Trio.  For over 20 years, Kapilow has brought the joy and wonder of classical music – and unraveled some of its mysteries – to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.  Characterized by his unique ability to create an “aha” moment for his audiences and collaborators, whatever their level of musical sophistication or naiveté, Kapilow’s work brings music into people’s lives.  Kapilow’s What Makes It Great? (WMIG) made its auspicious debut on NPR’s Performance Today over 20 years ago, and with its accessible ten-minute format it quickly attracted a wide base of fans and followers.  What Makes It Great?® programs are available on CD, on the Vanguard Everyman Classics label.  In discs devoted to Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusic and the “Jupiter” Symphony, Kapilow breaks the music down in a listener-friendly way – pulling themes apart, demonstrating how the tunes might sound in lesser hands, guiding listeners through the maze of melodies – and then finishes up with a complete performance of the work.