Brian Lauritzen
@brianlauritzen.bsky.social
3-8p weekdays on KUSC | nationally-syndicated host of LA Phil radio broadcasts | classical music enthusiast/advocate | opinions mine | he/him
God damn, America.
January 24, 2026 at 11:26 PM
God damn, America.
Reposted by Brian Lauritzen
Breaking News: The Washington National Opera is leaving the Kennedy Center after President Trump’s intervention upset artists and donors. The opera has performed there since 1971.
Washington National Opera Is Leaving the Kennedy Center
The opera, which has performed at the arts center since 1971, was concerned by declines in attendance and donations during President Trump’s second term.
nyti.ms
January 9, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Breaking News: The Washington National Opera is leaving the Kennedy Center after President Trump’s intervention upset artists and donors. The opera has performed there since 1971.
New year; new project.
A philosophical/emotional/narrative exploration of why we LOVE the music we love.
There is, of course, not one correct answer to any of the questions I pose in these episodes. However, I do hope you will find this new series compelling.
www.kusc.org/why-we-love-...
A philosophical/emotional/narrative exploration of why we LOVE the music we love.
There is, of course, not one correct answer to any of the questions I pose in these episodes. However, I do hope you will find this new series compelling.
www.kusc.org/why-we-love-...
January 6, 2026 at 1:40 AM
New year; new project.
A philosophical/emotional/narrative exploration of why we LOVE the music we love.
There is, of course, not one correct answer to any of the questions I pose in these episodes. However, I do hope you will find this new series compelling.
www.kusc.org/why-we-love-...
A philosophical/emotional/narrative exploration of why we LOVE the music we love.
There is, of course, not one correct answer to any of the questions I pose in these episodes. However, I do hope you will find this new series compelling.
www.kusc.org/why-we-love-...
annual reminder
December 10, 2025 at 3:35 AM
annual reminder
It’s a song about a guy who creeps around in public parks befriending kids and, once he gains their trust, leads them into a busy intersection in defiance of law enforcement because, as he explains to the kids, he’s dying anyway.
Frosty the Snowman is chaotic evil.
Frosty the Snowman is chaotic evil.
December 2, 2025 at 3:25 AM
It’s a song about a guy who creeps around in public parks befriending kids and, once he gains their trust, leads them into a busy intersection in defiance of law enforcement because, as he explains to the kids, he’s dying anyway.
Frosty the Snowman is chaotic evil.
Frosty the Snowman is chaotic evil.
That thing where your Sunday at home concludes with you and your 14-month-old searching for your belly buttons, turning light switches on and off, and putting underwear on your head. #WeekendWarrior
September 8, 2025 at 12:30 AM
That thing where your Sunday at home concludes with you and your 14-month-old searching for your belly buttons, turning light switches on and off, and putting underwear on your head. #WeekendWarrior
Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum
Doctor Atomic
Doctor Granvil
Doctor Miracle
“Doctor” Despina
The Doctor in Wozzeck…okay, maybe not
Doctor Atomic
Doctor Granvil
Doctor Miracle
“Doctor” Despina
The Doctor in Wozzeck…okay, maybe not
Doctors I will consult with before RFK Jr.
—Doc Martens
—Dr. Scholl
—Dr. Doolittle
—Dr. J
—Doc Rivers
—Dr. McDreamy
—Doc (Snow White)
—Dr. Adam Bricker (I’m old); “The Love Boat”)
—Dr. Robby
—Dr. Bombay (again, old); “Bewitched”)
—The doctor in Prince’s “Purple Rain” band
Who am I missing?
—Doc Martens
—Dr. Scholl
—Dr. Doolittle
—Dr. J
—Doc Rivers
—Dr. McDreamy
—Doc (Snow White)
—Dr. Adam Bricker (I’m old); “The Love Boat”)
—Dr. Robby
—Dr. Bombay (again, old); “Bewitched”)
—The doctor in Prince’s “Purple Rain” band
Who am I missing?
September 6, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum
Doctor Atomic
Doctor Granvil
Doctor Miracle
“Doctor” Despina
The Doctor in Wozzeck…okay, maybe not
Doctor Atomic
Doctor Granvil
Doctor Miracle
“Doctor” Despina
The Doctor in Wozzeck…okay, maybe not
Yup. Yesterday was horrible.
L.A. classical station KUSC slashes staff after federal funding cuts to public radio
The USC-owned station, known as Classical California, lost $1.1 million that was previously allocated by the Corp. for Public Broadcasting.
www.latimes.com
August 29, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Yup. Yesterday was horrible.
i see your "on stage naked" anxiety dream and raise you "at the podium realizing you brought the wrong eulogy and don't know anything about the actual dead guy"
August 12, 2025 at 4:56 PM
i see your "on stage naked" anxiety dream and raise you "at the podium realizing you brought the wrong eulogy and don't know anything about the actual dead guy"
Y’all. Neither Itzhak Perlman nor Yo-Yo Ma is in the hospital. Can we stop with the fake AI content sharing, please?
August 7, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Y’all. Neither Itzhak Perlman nor Yo-Yo Ma is in the hospital. Can we stop with the fake AI content sharing, please?
when you discover a secret headphone jack in the studio that revolutionizes the ergonomics of your daily workflow and also the united states senate votes to eliminate your federal funding
July 18, 2025 at 12:26 AM
when you discover a secret headphone jack in the studio that revolutionizes the ergonomics of your daily workflow and also the united states senate votes to eliminate your federal funding
RIP Charles Burrell, WWII Veteran and the first Black musician to sign a contract with an American orchestra, who passed away this week at the age of 104. www.cpr.org/2025/06/17/c...
Classical bass legend Charlie Burrell dies at 104
The “Jackie Robinson of classical music” and former Denver Symphony Orchestra bassist called Colorado home for much of his life.
www.cpr.org
June 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
RIP Charles Burrell, WWII Veteran and the first Black musician to sign a contract with an American orchestra, who passed away this week at the age of 104. www.cpr.org/2025/06/17/c...
One of the darkest days for Public Media.
June 12, 2025 at 8:26 PM
One of the darkest days for Public Media.
🧵 Everything you've heard until now is just conjecture. But now that the White House has officially delivered its recission bill to Congress, we now have clarity with regard to funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
June 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
🧵 Everything you've heard until now is just conjecture. But now that the White House has officially delivered its recission bill to Congress, we now have clarity with regard to funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
May 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
I suppose it shouldn’t surprise us that a guy who would write a 20-page letter to a woman spelling out how their marriage was gonna work would also be the same guy who wrote massive symphonies, all of which are at least an hour long.
Can't imagine what it must've felt like to be Mahlersplained to.
Can't imagine what it must've felt like to be Mahlersplained to.
May 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
I suppose it shouldn’t surprise us that a guy who would write a 20-page letter to a woman spelling out how their marriage was gonna work would also be the same guy who wrote massive symphonies, all of which are at least an hour long.
Can't imagine what it must've felt like to be Mahlersplained to.
Can't imagine what it must've felt like to be Mahlersplained to.
I am deeply weary of hearing management speak about the need for workers to “acknowledge the seriousness of the financial circumstances confronting our institution.” That’s literally YOUR job, manager dude.
www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
Tensions flare at Michael Tilson Thomas tribute as S.F. Symphony musicians protest contract cuts
San Francisco Symphony musicians handed out leaflets at MTT’s 80th birthday concert, accusing leadership of jeopardizing its artistic legacy.
www.sfchronicle.com
April 30, 2025 at 7:30 PM
I am deeply weary of hearing management speak about the need for workers to “acknowledge the seriousness of the financial circumstances confronting our institution.” That’s literally YOUR job, manager dude.
www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
Thank you, MTT. 💙
April 28, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Thank you, MTT. 💙
I’ve always resonated with @komaniecki.bsky.social’s advocacy for playing with your children (as if that was a thing that needed advocacy), but as a relatively recent new dad (8 mos. in), I have a deepened sense of being simply flabbergasted at the cesspool of the “nah I’m good” folks.
March 10, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I’ve always resonated with @komaniecki.bsky.social’s advocacy for playing with your children (as if that was a thing that needed advocacy), but as a relatively recent new dad (8 mos. in), I have a deepened sense of being simply flabbergasted at the cesspool of the “nah I’m good” folks.
I have neither the time nor the patience to go thru the replies/quotes to find Microtonal Guy™️, but I guarantee you he’s in there somewhere…
Music fans what’s your favourite note? I’d have to say mine is Middle C. You just can’t beat the classics!
March 8, 2025 at 5:28 AM
I have neither the time nor the patience to go thru the replies/quotes to find Microtonal Guy™️, but I guarantee you he’s in there somewhere…
Sitting here on the eve of the first KUSC Pledge Drive since the SoCal wildfires and I hope we all understand that this is immensely difficult for all of us who are on the air and that music is a thing that is inspiring but has its limitations and the point of all of this is community.
March 2, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Sitting here on the eve of the first KUSC Pledge Drive since the SoCal wildfires and I hope we all understand that this is immensely difficult for all of us who are on the air and that music is a thing that is inspiring but has its limitations and the point of all of this is community.
Grumpy Old-Man Brian surfacing here to complain about the iPhone email update. So, some tech bro in Palo Alto gets to decide which emails I am allowed to see?
(I know, I know, you can shut it off…and I have…but still.)
(I know, I know, you can shut it off…and I have…but still.)
February 25, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Grumpy Old-Man Brian surfacing here to complain about the iPhone email update. So, some tech bro in Palo Alto gets to decide which emails I am allowed to see?
(I know, I know, you can shut it off…and I have…but still.)
(I know, I know, you can shut it off…and I have…but still.)
Trombone Shorty just joined Ray Charles at the top of the list of iconic performances of America the Beautiful
February 9, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Trombone Shorty just joined Ray Charles at the top of the list of iconic performances of America the Beautiful