Mara Zhelutka

Music of the Spheres

Ruth brought me into the circle of KCRW and allowed me to share my love of music with an invisible audience. My hope was that people would hear the music the way I did. She gave me an opportunity to bring “Music of the Spheres,” my program of early music, to the air. Ruth rejoiced in its success and always supported it.

She was also an understanding friend during times of emotional and familial sadness for both of us.

My mother committed suicide when I was 29 and ten years later my brother died in a freak accident. I knew her son David, who died much too early. We had lunch, we talked.

She could also be an intimidating boss. When I was hosting one of my eclectic shows, she called on the control room red “hot line” phone. I was in the middle of playing Harry Partch, a composer known for his playful and somewhat atonal music. She was NOT HAPPY. She repeated the same phrase over and over in an exasperated loud voice “Mara, Harry Partch on a Saturday afternoon?” I am conflict averse; I get tongue-tied when confronted. In that way I resemble a possum.  

I can still hear her voice “Mara, Harry Partch on a Saturday?”

The truth is that even though I can be very brave, Ruth scared the hell out of me. 

Thank you, Ruth for all your many gifts!