This Week at The Classical Station
by Rob Kennedy
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Violinist Joshua Bell opens Preview! this evening with a performance of Gypsy Airs by Pablo de Sarasate. Members of the Neave Trio talk about their latest recording, “A Room of Her Own”, music by 4 women composers: Lili Boulanger, Cecile Chaminade, Germaine Tailleferre, & Dame Ethel Smythe.
Preview! brings you new releases and local arts news every Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern.
This morning Great Sacred Music includes performances by Chicago a cappella, The Women of Saint Francis Chorale, and the Holland Boys Choir. You’ll hear works by John Rutter, Dan Locklair, Tomaso Albinoni, and more.
Great Sacred Music. Sundays at 8 a.m. Eastern. Right after Sing for Joy. With Mick Anderson.
On April 14 we observe the birthdays of Finnish conductor Paavo Berglund, English cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, Russian conductor and pianist Mikhail Pletnev, and American cellist Alisa Weilerstein.
Maestro Berglund was renowned for his interpretations of Jean Sibelius’ symphonies. Julian Lloyd Webber had a distinguished career as a cellist. Maestro Pletnev is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Russian National Orchestra. Alisa Weilerstein was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2011.
Photo: Paavo Berglund, Unknown Author, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons; Julian Lloyd-Webber, Unknown Author on julianlloydwebber.com; Mikhail Pletnev, Unknown Author, on Zeneakadémiáig; Alisa Weilerstein, Harald Hoffmann/Decca
Saturday, April 13, 2024
The Metropolitan Opera’s 2023-24 Season of Saturday Matinée Broadcasts continues with an operetta that’s been heard on countless festive occasions – and is celebrating a birthday of its own: Johann Strauss Junior’s Die Fledermaus. This broadcast celebrates the 150th anniversary of Strauss’s effervescent favorite in a performance from 1986 starring Dame Kiri Te Kanawa – who recently marked the 50th anniversary of her Met debut. Te Kanawa leads a glorious cast, including Håkan Hagegård, Judith Blegen, and Tatiana Troyanos, in this romantic romp about pranks, disguises, and the power of champagne. Jeffrey Tate conducts the infectious, toe-tapping score.
The curtain goes up at 1 p.m. Eastern. Tell your smart speaker to “Play The Classical Station.”
Scene from Die Fledermaus by Ken Howard/Met Opera
On April 13 we observe the birthdays of English composer William Sterndale Bennett (1816-1875) and American duo-pianists John and Richard Contiguglia (1937-).
William Sterndale Bennett studied in Leipzig where his compositions were admired by Feliz Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann. The Contiguglia twins are both graduates of Yale University.
Photos: William Sterndale Bennett (painted by John Everett Millais), Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons; John & Richard Contiguglia, Unknown Author, /www.duopianistscontiguglia.com
Friday, April 12, 2024
The Metropolitan Opera presents
Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus
Saturday, April 13, 1 p.m. Eastern
On April 12 we observe the birthdays of Austrian composer Josef Lanner (1801-1843), French conductor Jean-François Paillard (1928-2013), and Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé (1933-2018).
Herr Lanner wrote dance music for the nobility of his day. Monsieur Paillard will be remembered for his expertise in interpreting Baroque music, and especially for his recording of Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D which catapulted that work to the top of lists of listener favorites everywhere. María de Montserrat Bibiana Concepción Caballé i Folch was one of the great bel canto opera singers of the 20th-century.
Photo: Montserrat Caballe, Unknown Author, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Thursday, April 11, 2024
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dick Storck, the Program Director and beloved host of Allegro here on The Classical Station, to which he was an integral contributor for the past 25 years. He will be dearly missed by all. You can learn more about Dick’s life and career here.
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Verdi’s “Falstaff” is a lively and comedic opera that brings to life Shakespeare’s beloved character, Sir John Falstaff, in a musical masterpiece. Set in Windsor, England, the story revolves around Falstaff, a larger-than-life knight whose insatiable appetite for food, wine, and mischief leads him into a series of humorous escapades.
Photo by Beatriz Schiller/Metropolitan Opera
The opera opens with Falstaff concocting a scheme to seduce two wealthy women, Alice Ford and Meg Page, in hopes of gaining access to their husbands’ fortunes. However, his plans are thwarted as the clever women, along with their friends, Mistress Quickly and Nannetta, devise a plan to teach Falstaff a lesson.
As the plot unfolds, Falstaff finds himself entangled in a web of disguises, mistaken identities, and comical misunderstandings. Despite his best efforts to outwit his adversaries, Falstaff ultimately learns that true happiness lies not in material wealth but in the joy of friendship and camaraderie.
Filled with vibrant characters, witty dialogue, and unforgettable melodies, “Falstaff” is a delightful romp that celebrates the timeless themes of love, laughter, and the triumph of the human spirit. With Verdi’s masterful score and Shakespeare’s timeless wit, this opera continues to captivate audiences with its timeless charm and enduring appeal.
Our performance this evening on the Thursday Night Opera House features the Vienna State Opera Chorus and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Herbert von Karajan. The curtain goes up at 7 p.m. Eastern.
On April 11 we observe the birthdays of French composer Jean-Joseph Mouret (1682-1738), Czech conductor Karel Ančerl (1908-1973), and Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983).
A composer of music for the stage in his day, Monsieur Mouret is best known to modern audiences for his Fanfare which is used as the theme of the PBS series Masterpiece, formerly known as Masterpiece Theatre. Karel Ančerl was music director of the Toronto Symphony from 1968-1973. Alberto Evaristo Ginastera was one of the most important composers of the 20 century.
Photos: Jean-Joseph Mouret, Unknown Author, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons; Silhouette of Karel Ančerl by Hanna Hausmann-Kohlmann (1897-1984), Dresden, June 1969 on Karelancerl.com; Alberto Ginastera, Unknown Author, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
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Wednesday, April 10, 2024
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 beautiful music you love here on 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 The Classical Station 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. You also will receive a one-year subscription to Quarter Notes.
On April 10 we observe the birthday of Soviet-born Israeli-American pianist Yefim Bronfman (1958-). Winner of a Grammy Award in 1997 for his recording of the Bartók piano concertos, Bronfman has performed as a soloist with many of the world’s great orchestras.
Photo: Dario Acosta
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
You often hear a brief announcement here on The Classical Station stating that “This Day of Classical Music is given by Xxxx in memory of her husband Xxxx.” You can celebrate the special classical music lover in your life with a daily, weekly, or monthly announcement here on The Classical Station. With a Sustaining Membership of $100 or more per month, you can have a weekly on-air dedication.
Find out more about Day Dedications and Patron Announcements on The Classical Station by contacting Tanja Greaves at 919-556-5178.
On April 9 we observe the birthdays of American composer Florence Price (1887-1953), Hungarian-born American conductor Antal Doráti (1906-1988), Swiss conductor Armin Jordan (1932-2006), and Polish conductor Jerzy Maksymiuk (1936-).
Mentored by George Whitfield Chadwick at the New England Conservatory, Florence Price was the first African-American woman to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra, the Chicago Symphony in 1933. Maestro Doráti was music director of several American orchestras including the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (1945-48), Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (1949-60), the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington, D.C. (1970-77), and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (1977-81). Maestro Jordan championed the music of French composers throughout his career. A composer as well as a conductor, Maestro Maksymiuk is highly regarded for his work with the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Krakow Philharmonic Orchestra.
Photos: Florence Price, Unknown Author, University of Arkansas Libraries Special Collections; Antal Doráti, Galera from State Library of New South Wales collection, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons; Armin Jordan, Unknown Author, Fair Use, Res Musica; Jerzy Maksymiuk, Unknown Author, Fair Use, Alchetron
Monday, April 8, 2024
This evening, Monday Night at the Symphony features the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, which was founded in 1893. The program includes music by Edvard Grieg, Alexander Glazunov, Frederick Delius, and more, conducted by Norman Del Mar, Paavo Berglund, Jose Serebrier, and current Chief Conductor, Kirill Karabits.
The concert begins at 8 P.M. Eastern. Tell your smart device to “Play The Classical Station.”
On April 8 we observe the birthdays of Italian composers Claudio Merulo (1533-1604) and Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770) as well as English conductor Sir Adrian Boult (1889-1983).
Besides composing music for keyboards, Signor Merulo was one of the organists of Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco, Venice. A prolific composer of violin concerti and teacher of the violin, Signor Tartini is best known to modern audiences for his Devil’s Trill Sonata. Sir Adrian Boult was one of the great conductors of the 20th century. He was highly regarded for his work with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Photos: Claudio Merulo, Unknown Author, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons; Giuseppe Tartini, Unknown Author, Public Domain-Art, Wikimedia Commons; Cropped EMI publicity photograph, photographer Godfrey MacDomnic, circa 1970, of Adrian Boult, Fair use, Wikimedia Commons
