Minnesotan Libby Larsen was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The 73 year old was interviewed at her home in Minneapolis near Lake of the Isles.

She sees it as “an honor for Minnesota as well.” Though Larsen’s work often takes her out of state, “by choice I’ve made my life here, and I’m deeply grateful and proud of the crazy culture that supports ideas — like no other place in the country.”

Star Tribune via MSN

“People here really love to make music,” she said, “which is true everywhere, except that it seems to be more here with a smaller population.”

At one point in her busy career, packed with commissions, performances and recordings of works for orchestra, opera and band, she thought, “Where else could I make music? Just make music — instead of spending a year or two trying to get in the door to make music?”

The answer kept her here.

Star Tribune via MSN

If you have more listening time, try this piece, Mass for the Earth, from 1992.