Drop the Needle

Mondays at 7:00 p.m. Eastern

Visit a place where analog sound lives.

Drop the Needle is The Classical Station’s tribute to the timeless artistry of vinyl recordings. Hosted by Vince Tillona, this program brings you hand-selected treasures from the station’s vast archive of over 25,000 albums—a collection that features legendary performances, rare pressings and the warmth of sound that only vinyl can offer.

Each week, Vince carefully curates a listening experience for audiophiles and music lovers alike, reviving recordings that have shaped the classical tradition and rediscovering gems no longer available in modern formats.

Whether you’re a lifelong collector or simply curious about the magic of vinyl, Drop the Needle invites you to savor the depth and authenticity of classical music as it was meant to be heard.

Every episode of Drop the Needle features an array of treasures from our extensive vinyl library. Here are just a few of the selections we’re especially excited to share with listeners this month:

June 2026 on Drop the Needle

6/1/2026

Piece: The Four Seasons

Composer: Vivaldi

Conductor: Trevor Pinnock

Orchestra: The English Concert

Soloist: Simon Standage, violin

Vivaldi The Four Seasons album cover conducted by Trevor Pinnock

6/8/2026

Piece: Symphonia Concertante in E-flat, K. 364

Composer: Mozart

Conductor: Daniel Barenboim

Orchestra: The English Chamber Orchestra

Mozart Symphonia Concertante album cover conducted by Daniel Barenboim

6/15/2026

Piece: Pulcinella Suite

Composer: Stravinsky

Conductor: Igor Stravinsky

Orchestra: The Columbia Symphony Orchestra

Stravinsky conducts Pulcinella Suite album cover

6/22/2026

Piece: Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20

Composer: Mendelssohn

Orchestra: The Marlboro Festival Ensemble

Mendelssohn Octet album cover performed by the Marlboro Festival Ensemble

6/29/2026

Piece: String Serenade, Op. 22

Composer: Dvorak

Conductor: Neville Marriner

Orchestra: The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

Dvorak String Serenade album cover conducted by Neville Marriner

Elsa Says Thank You For Giving To The Classical Station

Elsa, Vince Tillona's grand-dog and Drop the Needle's unofficial mascot

During the Fall 2025 fund drive, Drop the Needle host Vince Tillona called to make a donation from his three dogs and four cats.

He told the story of how, during announcer training, volunteers were taught to visualize speaking to a single person, not a full audience.

That’s why a picture of Vince’s grand-dog Elsa sits on the desk each week during Drop the Needle—she’s the listener he imagines when he speaks.

As Vince explains, “She always listens and she’s totally non-judgemental. She’s the perfect audience.” (And yes, Elsa is a dog, despite what you may have heard on the air!)

Now Playing

Six Pieces on Spanish Popular Songs

Composed by

Enrique Granados (1867-1916)

Performed by

Alicia de Larrocha

Label

London

Catalog Number

410

Today's Playlist

4:27am Symphony No. 5 in B minor, Op. 106

Composed by

Johann Wenzel Kalliwoda (1801-1866)

Performed by

Pilsen Radio Symphony Orchestra/Malat

5:00am Oboe Concerto in C, K. 314

Composed by

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Performed by

Boyd/Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Berglund

5:20am Concerto Grosso in B flat, Op. 6 No. 7

Composed by

George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)

Performed by

Bath Festival Orchestra/Menuhin

5:37am Piezas Caracteristicas, Op. 92

Composed by

Federico Moreno Torroba (1891-1982)

Performed by

Andres Segovia

5:51am Music selected by the announcer

6:01am On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring

Composed by

Frederick Delius (1862-1934)

Performed by

Royal Philharmonic/Beecham

6:09am Recorder Sonata in G minor, RV 58

Composed by

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Performed by

Camerata of Cologne

6:18am Paris Quartet No. 3 in A

Composed by

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)

Performed by

Hazelzet/Trio Sonnerie

6:31am Fantasie in F minor, Op. 49

Composed by

Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)

Performed by

Mikhail Pletnev

6:47am Overture to The Flying Dutchman

Composed by

Richard Wagner (1813-1883)

Performed by

Berlin Philharmonic/Maazel

7:01am Vienna, My Desire!

Composed by

Johann Strauss Jr. (1825-1899)

Performed by

Czecho-Slovak State Philharmonic/Wildner

7:10am Overture to Medea

Composed by

Luigi Cherubini (1760-1842)

Performed by

Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields/Marriner

7:20am Slavonic Rhapsody in D, Op. 45 No. 1

Composed by

Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904)

Performed by

Slovak Philharmonic/Kosler

7:33am Dances for Solo Piano

Composed by

Ernest Chausson (1855-1899)

Performed by

Grant Johannesen

7:49am South (a concerto for oboe)

Composed by

Michael Torke (1961-)

Performed by

Roberts/Albany Symphony/Miller

8:01am Entr'acte No. 3 from Rosamunde, D. 797

Composed by

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Performed by

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra/Masur

8:11am Symphonic Dance, Op. 64 No. 3

Composed by

Edvard Grieg (1843–1907)

Performed by

Utah Symphony Orchestra/Abravanel

8:17am Diamond Rain (A Waltz)

Composed by

Emile Waldteufel (1837-1915)

Performed by

Orchestra of the Vienna People's Opera/Bauer-Theussl

8:30am Lacrimosa from Requiem in D minor, K. 626

Composed by

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Performed by

London Symphony Chorus/Northern Sinfonia/Hickox

8:34am Intermezzo in A, Op. 118 No. 2

Composed by

Johannes Brahms, arr. by Nicolai Popov

Performed by

Ottensamer/Wang

8:41am Ballet Music from Macbeth

Composed by

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

Performed by

New Philharmonia/Muti

8:52am Music selected by the announcer

9:01am String Symphony No. 07 in D minor

Composed by

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Performed by

English String Orchestra/Boughton

9:21am Harp Concerto in B flat, Op. 4 No. 6

Composed by

George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)

Performed by

Laskine/Paillard Chamber Orch/Paillard

9:36am Suite Concertino in F, Op 16

Composed by

Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari (1876-1948)

Performed by

Walker/London Mozart Players/Glover

10:01am Symphony No. 41 in C, K. 551 "Jupiter"

Composed by

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Performed by

Prague Chamber Orch/Mackerras

10:40am Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 "Pathetique"

Composed by

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Performed by

Gyorgy Cziffra

11:01am Concerto Grosso in F, Op. 6 No. 2

Composed by

Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713)

Performed by

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra/McGegan

11:12am Concerto Venezolano

Composed by

Paquito D'Rivera (1948-)

Performed by

Flores/D'Rivera/Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria/Prieto

11:33am Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia (Love Theme) from Spartacus

Composed by

Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978)

Performed by

St. Petersburg State Symphony/Anichanov

11:42am Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 7 No. 5

Composed by

Jean-Marie Leclair (1697-1764)

Performed by

Ruhadze/Ensemble Violini Capricciosi

12:00pm Overture to Oberon

Composed by

Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826)

Performed by

Dresden State Orchestra/Haitink

12:11pm Harp Sonata in G

Composed by

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714–1788)

Performed by

Ursula Holliger

12:24pm Ballet Scenes, Op. 52

Composed by

Alexander Glazunov (1865–1936)

Performed by

USSR Radio Symphony/Rozhdestvensky

12:53pm Music selected by the announcer

1:01pm Selections from Act II, Swan Lake, Op. 20 (incl. Dances of the Swans)

Composed by

Peter I. Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

Performed by

NY Philharmonic/Bernstein

1:21pm Quintet in C for Winds, Op. 79

Composed by

August Klughardt (1847-1902)

Performed by

Les Vents Francais

1:46pm Autumn from Four Seasons

Composed by

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Performed by

Von der Goltz/Freiburg Baroque Orchestra/Harp Consort

2:01pm Symphony in C

Composed by

Georges Bizet (1838–1875)

Performed by

National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada/Mata

2:33pm Concerto for 4 Violins (arr. for 4 guitars)

Composed by

Georg Philipp Telemann, arr. Los Angeles Guitar Quartet

Performed by

Los Angeles Guitar Quartet

2:40pm Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 120

Composed by

Gabriel Faure (1845-1924)

Performed by

Roth Trio

3:01pm Manon Ballet: Act 1, Scene 1

Composed by

Jules Massenet, arr. by Leighton Lucas

Performed by

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Bonynge

3:29pm Cadiz from Suite española, Op. 47

Composed by

Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909)

Performed by

John Williams

3:34pm Piano Concerto No. 2 in E flat, Op. 25

Composed by

Franz Xaver Mozart (1791-1844)

Performed by

Hellwig/Cologne Radio Symphony/Bader

4:00pm Overture and 3 Dances - Mam’zelle Angot Ballet

Composed by

Charles Lecocq (1832-1918)

Performed by

National Philharmonic/Bonynge

4:09pm Concerto Grosso in F, Op. 6 No. 6

Composed by

Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713)

Performed by

Southwest German Chmbr Orch/Wich

4:22pm Overture to Cinderella

Composed by

Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868)

Performed by

Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields/Marriner

4:31pm La Calinda

Composed by

Frederick Delius (1862-1934)

Performed by

Royal Philharmonic/Seaman

4:37pm Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah

Composed by

Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921)

Performed by

Montreal Symphony/Dutoit

4:45pm Miniature Suite, Op. 20

Composed by

Cesar Cui (1835-1918)

Performed by

Hong Kong Philharmonic/Schermerhorn

5:01pm Concerto in C for 2 Trumpets, RV 537

Composed by

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Performed by

Laird/Wilson/Academy Ancient Music/Hogwood

5:10pm Prelude to Sylvia

Composed by

Leo Delibes (1836-1891)

Performed by

Slovak Radio Symphony/Lenard

5:16pm Concerto in C minor for Violin & Oboe, BWV 1060

Composed by

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Performed by

Hahn/Vogel/L.A. Chamber Orchestra/Kahane

5:30pm Aurora Ball Waltz

Composed by

Johann Strauss Jr. (1825-1899)

Performed by

Czecho-Slovak State Philharmonic/Walter

5:38pm London Suite

Composed by

Eric Coates (1886-1957)

Performed by

East of England Orchestra/Nabarro

5:53pm Praeludium and Allegro

Composed by

Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962)

Performed by

Capucon/Bellom

6:00pm Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op. 21

Composed by

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Performed by

Boston Symphony/Davis

6:12pm Mi Teresita

Composed by

Teresa Carreno (1853-1917)

Performed by

Gabriela Montero

6:17pm American Suite

Composed by

William Grant Still (1895-1978)

Performed by

Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Eisenberg

6:26pm Piano Concerto in E flat, Op. 7 No. 5

Composed by

Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782)

Performed by

Haebler/Capella Acad. Vienna/Melkus

6:44pm Music selected by the announcer

7:01pm Symphony No. 3 in C, "Sinfonie singuliere"

Composed by

Franz Berwald (1796-1868)

Performed by

Royal Philharmonic/Bjorlin

7:32pm Cello Concerto in G, "Military"

Composed by

Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880)

Performed by

Harnoy/Bournemouth Symphony/Almeida

8:01pm Mam’zelle Angot Ballet

Composed by

Charles Lecocq (1832-1918)

Performed by

National Philharmonic/Bonynge

8:41pm Concertante in G for 2 Flutes and Orchesta

Composed by

Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801)

Performed by

Dohn/Steinkraus/Wurttemberg Chamber Orch/Faerber

9:01pm Piano Trio in B flat, Op. 97 "Archduke"

Composed by

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Performed by

Gryphon Trio

9:43pm Popular Dances for Guitar

Composed by

Gaspar Sanz (1640-1710)

Performed by

Turibio Santos

9:51pm The Bells of St. Genevieve

Composed by

Marin Marais (1656-1728)

Performed by

Harnoncourt Trio

10:01pm Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 56, Scharw. 126

Composed by

Franz Xaver Scharwenka (1850-1924)

Performed by

Markovich/Estonian National Symphony Orchestra/Jarvi

10:41pm Dances Sacred and Profane for Harp and Orchestra

Composed by

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Performed by

Kondonassis/Oberlin 21/Reischl

10:52pm Pavane for a Dead Princess

Composed by

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

Performed by

Berlin Philharmonic/Karajan

11:01pm Symphony in D, K. 73l

Composed by

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Performed by

Academy of Ancient Music/Hogwood

11:13pm Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F minor, Op. 73

Composed by

Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826)

Performed by

Ottensamer/Berlin Philharmonic/Jansons

11:34pm String Symphony No. 06 in E flat

Composed by

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Performed by

London Festival Orchestra/Pople

11:48pm Music selected by the announcer