Critical Karaoke

Today in 1930, Russian composer Igor Stravinsky told a reporter at the Prague Press that he “recognized only half-tones as the basis of music.”   He was speaking in response to hearing the music of Czech composer Alois Hàba—one of the foremost composers of quarter-tone music between the world wars.  On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we dissect the debate between the proponents of half-tone traditionalism and the advocates of quarter-tone sonic deviation.