KUSC does Oscars hype the cool classical way

John Williams, here conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, received his 50th Academy Award nomination this year for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

Every year before the Oscars, KUSC's Jim Svejda sits down for one-hour interviews with the composers nominated for Academy Awards for best score. Excerpts of the scores are played and discussed with the nominated composer, one each night. It's been a tradition at the LA classical music station for 15 years, but the shows cannot be archived due to copyright restrictions. You can hear them when they air (and are streamed) but that's it. This year's series began last night with Thomas Newman of "Bridge of Spies." New shows air at 9 p.m. on KUSC (FM 91.5) and at KUSC.org.

Tonight's composer is Jóhann Jóhannsson of "Sicario," followed on Wednesday by Carter Burwell ("Carol
") and on Thursday by John Williams ("Star Wars: The Force Awakens.") Svejda and the producers are still trying to book Ennio Morricone, who scored "The Hateful Eight."

In honor of Williams' 50th Oscar nomination (yes you read that right), one of his nominated scores of the past will be played at the top of each weekday hour from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. this week. Here's more on the Oscars week at KUSC and a background piece from last year.