Isaac Mizrahi Talks Fashion, Bach and Baseball

Award-winning fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi is also a TV talk show host, entertainer and entrepreneur. He has dressed distinguished women — Oprah Winfrey, Audrey Hepburn, Michelle Obama — movie stars, opera singers, ballet dancers and Target shoppers.

He has appeared in “Sex and the City,” “Gossip Girl,” “Ugly Betty,” Woody Allen films and in the acclaimed biographical documentary, "Unzipped." His new perfume, Fabulous, was launched this past fall and this December he narrates Peter and the Wolf with the Juilliard Ensemble at New York’s Guggenheim Museum.

On Mad About Music, he reveals to host Gilbert Kaplan:

— The music he picks for his fashion shows.

— How he gave up the idea to become a pianist during his entrance audition for the High School for the Performing Arts in New York City.

— That a psychic said that Mozart actually taught him how to play the piano.

— That joyful, not sad, music makes him cry, and so does baseball: “If Bernie Williams hits a home run I just bawl.”

— How Twyla Tharp introduced him to a favorite piece of music.

— His retirement plans: piano and bridge.

— Verdi, Bellini and Wagner leave him cold.

Playlist:

Johann Sebastian Bach:   Italian Concerto, BWV 971. Andante. Tatiana Nikolayeva, piano. Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga MK 418013.

Igor Stravinsky:   Symphony of Psalms, Part I. CBC Symphony Orchestra. The Festival Singers of Toronto. Igor Stravinsky. CBS Masterworks 42434.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:   Così fan tutte, “Come scoglio.” Vienna Chamber Orchestra. György Fischer. Cecilia Bartoli, mezzo-soprano. London/Decca 443452.

Maurice Ravel:   Daphnis et Chloé, “Danse générale.” Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Choir. Charles Dutoit. Decca 289 458 605.

The Beach Boys:   "Pet Sounds."  Capitol 72435-26266.

Dmitri Shostakovich:   Cello Concerto No. 1, First movement. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Yuri Temirkanov. Natalia Gutman, cello. RCA Victor Read Seal 7918.

Benjamin Britten:   Peter Grimes, “Sea Interlude No. 1.” Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra and Chorus. Sir Colin Davis. Philips 289 462 847.

Johann Sebastian Bach:   Mass in B minor, BWV 232, “Dona nobis pacem.” Concentus Musicus Wien. Arnold Schoenberg Chor. Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Angela Maria Blasi, soprano; Delores Ziegler, soprano; Jadwiga Rappé, contalto; Kurt Equiluz, tenor; Robert Holl, bass. Teldec 8573-81149.