Leon Botstein: Music is so important because it has no purpose

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2014/03/leon_botstein.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:4:"file";s:25:"2014/03/leon_botstein.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:6:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"leon_botstein-336x224.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:224;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"leon_botstein-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"leon_botstein-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"leon_botstein-467x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:467;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"leon_botstein-398x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:398;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"leon_botstein-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:370045;s:14:"optimized_size";i:129051;s:7:"percent";d:65.129999999999995;}s:5:"sizes";a:9:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:53:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/leon_botstein.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:244405;s:14:"optimized_size";i:46870;s:7:"percent";d:80.819999999999993;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/leon_botstein-140x140.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:6564;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4849;s:7:"percent";d:26.129999999999999;}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/leon_botstein-336x224.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:15159;s:14:"optimized_size";i:10223;s:7:"percent";d:32.560000000000002;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/leon_botstein-600x338.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:34969;s:14:"optimized_size";i:21866;s:7:"percent";d:37.469999999999999;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/leon_botstein-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:19060;s:14:"optimized_size";i:12620;s:7:"percent";d:33.789999999999999;}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/leon_botstein-467x311.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:24768;s:14:"optimized_size";i:15423;s:7:"percent";d:37.729999999999997;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/leon_botstein-398x265.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:19560;s:14:"optimized_size";i:13078;s:7:"percent";d:33.140000000000001;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/leon_botstein-125x125.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:5560;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4122;s:7:"percent";d:25.859999999999999;}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

)
1636083600 
1394668800

“Music is so important because it has no purpose. Its only purpose is to remind us as human beings, about the power of our own imagination.” -Leon Botstein

UAB has awarded the 2014 Caroline P. and Charles W. Ireland Distinguished Visiting Scholar Prize to Dr. Leon Botstein. The award brings to campus outstanding scholars who are generally recognized as leaders in the arts and sciences. While at UAB, Botstein conducted a special performance of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, at UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Botstein also lectured and met with students and faculty in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences. He spoke with WBHM’s Michael Krall and the conversation began with Botstein describing his reaction when he found out he won the prize.

 

How has the Electoral College survived, despite being perennially unpopular?

Despite its substantial-sounding name, the Electoral College isn’t a permanent body: It’s more of a process. For decades, a majority of Americans have wanted it to be changed.

Thousands of Pennsylvania voters have had their mail ballot applications challenged

Thousands of last-minute challenges to voters’ mail ballot applications, along with baseless claims by former President Donald Trump, are adding pressure on Pennsylvania county officials.

No more fluoride in the water? RFK Jr. wants that and Trump says it ‘sounds OK’

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s claims about fluoride in the drinking water are linked to Cold War conspiracy theories about the substance.

‘Divine Nine’ historically Black organizations hope efforts will turn out the vote

With more than 2 million members, the "Divine Nine" organizations have launched many get-out-the-vote initiatives in this historic election involving one of their members, Vice President Harris.

Impossible, you say? Try asking a toddler

Green eggs and ham? Even toddlers know when an event appears to be impossible, not just improbable.

Trump is hoping to win non-consecutive terms. Only one president has done it

If reelected, Trump would only be the second president to serve non-consecutive terms after Grover Cleveland in the late 1800s. Here's a look at how that happened — and who else has tried.

More Arts and Culture Coverage