This Week at The Classical Station
by Rob Kennedy
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Join us this evening at 6 p.m. for a special program observing the beginning of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. “Birthday of the World – Part 2” will be narrated by Leonard Nimoy and is presented by Beth El Synagogue in Durham, North Carolina.
This morning, Great Sacred Music includes performances by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus; The Holland Boys Choir; and the Russian Chamber Philharmonic, St. Petersburg. You’ll hear works by Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, Max Bruch, and many more. We do hope you can join us for Great Sacred Music this Sunday.
Great Sacred Music begins at 8 AM Eastern Time. Right after Sing for Joy, here on The Classical Station.
On September 24 we observe the birthday of a great favorite of Great Sacred Music listeners, English composer John Rutter (1945-).
John Rutter has written many choral compositions, including large-scale works such as Requiem and Mass of the Children. He also collaborated with Sir David Willcocks to produce the four-volume set of Carols for Choirs. Happy seventy-sixth birthday, John! You can listen to our conversation with John on our Conversations With Composers page here on this website and on our app.
Photo: Nick Rutter
Saturday, September 23, 2023
The Classical Station has been broadcasting great classical music since 1978, thanks to listener support. One of the many ways that you can help The Classical Station to continue playing classical music for years to come is to leave a planned gift in your will or estate.
Leaving a legacy gift to The Classical Station will help ensure that the station has a solid foundation to continue operating for generations to come. Educational Information Corporation is the legal name of The Classical Station. The station is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3), listener-supported radio station that relies on your tax-deductible support for its funding. We receive no financial support from local, state, or federal government entities. Neither do we receive a grant from a university or public radio organization. We have been listener-supported and volunteer-powered since 1978.
For more information, read our Planned Giving Brochure. Thank you for supporting The Classical Station. We couldn’t do this without you.
On September 23 we observe the birthday of American composer and musicologist William Levi Dawson (1899-1990).
A member of the music faculty at the Tuskegee Institute from 1931-1956, Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony (1934) had its world premiere by the Philadelphia Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski.
Photo: Drawing of William L. Dawson by Aaron Douglas, Tuskegee University Archives, Fair Use
Friday, September 22, 2023
Classical music carries a kind of truth. It’s music with a purpose – music that reaches deep into our hearts and souls – music that connects directly with our most profound emotions. Whether it’s Bach or Beethoven, Mozart or Haydn, Chopin or Schubert… classical music lays its heart on the line. In the world of music, there’s nothing that carries that kind of power.
Keep this wonderful music alive right now with a heartfelt contribution. Give securely online or give us a call anytime. 800-556-5178. Thank you for your support!
Photo: Blue Diamond Gallery, Fair Use
On September 22 we observe the birthday of Polish-Mexican violinist and composer Henryk Szeryng (1918-1988).
Szeryng was born into a wealthy Jewish family. Consequently, when the events of World War II forced him to live abroad, he chose Mexico as his new home because of the wonderful reception which he received on a concert tour there in 1941. He lived in Mexico from 1946 and was on the faculty of the National University of Mexico, among other activities.
Photo: Harry Pot, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikipedia.org
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Thursday, September 21, 2023
In the remote and mysterious Scottish Highlands, a tragic tale of love and madness unfolds in Donizetti’s opera, “Lucia di Lammermoor.” This evening, prepare to be transported to a world of passion, betrayal, and heart-wrenching melodies as you tune in to our opera broadcast.
The story revolves around Lucia Ashton, a young and innocent woman who is caught in the midst of a bitter feud between her family, the Ashtons, and the Ravenswoods. Lucia is in love with Edgardo, the last surviving member of the Ravenswood clan, but their love faces insurmountable obstacles.
Forced into an arranged marriage by her brother Enrico, Lucia’s world begins to crumble. The emotional intensity escalates as secrets are revealed, alliances are tested, and fate takes a dark turn. Amidst the stunning backdrop of the Lammermuir Hills, the opera’s lush and haunting arias convey Lucia’s inner turmoil, her descent into madness, and the tragic consequences of her impossible love.
Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor” is a masterpiece of the bel canto style, characterized by its beautiful, soaring melodies and vocal virtuosity. As you listen to the opera this evening, be prepared to be swept away by the powerful emotions, exquisite music, and unforgettable drama that make this opera a timeless classic.
Join us for a night of grand opera from the archives of the late Al Ruocchio as we bring you the gripping tale of “Lucia di Lammermoor,” a story that will captivate your heart and leave you breathless. Tune in and experience the magic of this opera tonight on WCPE, The Classical Station, and let the music transport you to a world of passion and tragedy.
Don’t miss this extraordinary broadcast of “Lucia di Lammermoor” – it’s an opera experience you won’t want to miss! Tell your smart speaker to “Play The Classical Station” this evening at 7 p.m.
On September 21 we observe the birthday of English composer Gustav Holst (1874-1934).
Charles Villiers Stanford taught Holst at the Royal College of Music. Ralph Vaughan Williams was his colleague. Holst, in turn, influenced a generation of younger composers including Benjamin Britten, Edmund Rubbra, and Michael Tippett.
Photo: Herbert Lambert, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Go the last mile with your used vehicle. If your vehicle – automobile, truck, boat, motorcycle, RV, or aircraft – is no longer of use to you, it can still go a long way as a donation in support of the programs you rely on from The Classical Station. Here’s how it works: Center for Car Donations (CFCD), manages the donations on our behalf. Call them toll-free at 1-877-927-3872 for more information and to begin the car donation process. Don’t forget to mention that WCPE is the recipient of your donation.
A CFCD representative will schedule a pickup that’s convenient for you, and provide you with confirmation of your donation. We will mail you a confirmation that states how much your vehicle sold for at auction. This amount is what you can claim on your itemized tax return. We will also send you a one-year subscription to our member magazine, Quarter Notes.
On September 20 we observe the birthday of Italian composer and teacher Ildebrando Pizzetti (1880-1968).
While Signor Pizzetti is primarily known to modern audiences for his theatre music, he was also highly regarded as a teacher and writer.
Photo: Venturini, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Can you be an angel? We need angels for our Fall 2023 Membership Drive which will begin in a few weeks. The point of our membership drives is to encourage listeners to become supporting members of The Classical Station. Did you know that Angels help us achieve that objective? Well, yes, they do and have done so for many years. Our Angels are amazing listeners who will match your gift to encourage you to support this unique classical music radio station that you enjoy so much.
The way it works is very simple. For example, a listener in Charlotte, North Carolina, commits $600 to the membership drive. She tells us that she will match contributions up to $600. So, once her angel match is met, The Classical Station garners $600 from our Angel and another $600 from our 5 listeners.
Here’s how to make that happen: call us anytime and tell the member of staff who answers that you want to be an Angel with your gift of $300 or more. 800-556-5178.
You can also become an Angel by making your gift of $300 or more online via our secure server. Put “This is an Angel Gift!” in the Comments Box. Your Angel Gift can be paid as a Sustaining Membership. So, a $300 Angel Match can be spread across 12 months with a monthly payment of $25.
Remember: you can call the station anytime. 24/7. A member of staff will take your call and help you with your pledge and any questions you have. Thank you for being an Angel and encouraging other listeners to support The Classical Station!
Photo: Unknown Author, Angelology, Fair Use
On September 19 we observe the birthday of German conductor Kurt Sanderling (1912-2011). Maestro Sanderling had a long and distinguished career during which he held positions with the Dresden Staatskapelle, the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, the Madrid Symphony Orchestra, the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra, to name just a few. He was a friend of the composer Dmitri Shostakovich.
Photo: T Martinot, Lebrecht Music & Arts, Fair Use
Monday, September 18, 2023
This evening, Monday Night at the Symphony features The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic which was founded in 1840. The program includes music by Sir Edward Elgar, Frank Bridge, and Benjamin Britten conducted by Sir Charles Groves, Grant Llewellyn, and Domingo Hindoyan.
The concert begins at 8 p.m. Eastern.
On September 18 we observe the birthday of Russian soprano Anna Netrebko (1971-). Conductor Valery Gergiev gave Ms. Netrebko her start and mentored her early on in her career. She has since gone on to sing in major opera houses worldwide.
Photo: Romy 2013