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:

October 2026 on Drop the Needle

10/5/2026

Piece: Romeo and Juliet (orchestral music)

Composer: Berlioz

Conductor: Carlo Maria Giulini

Orchestra: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Berlioz Romeo and Juliet album cover conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

10/12/2026

Piece: Pictures at an Exhibition (original piano version)

Composer: Mussorgsky

Soloist: Sviatoslav Richter, piano

Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition album cover featuring Sviatoslav Richter at the piano

Piece: Pictures at an Exhibition (selected orchestral movements)

Composer: Mussorgsky

Conductor: Riccardo Muti

Orchestra: The Philadelphia Orchestra

Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition album cover conducted by Riccardo Muti with the Philadelphia Orchestra

Vince pairs selected orchestral movements with the corresponding movements from the original piano version, revealing the colors and effects that orchestration brings to the same music.

Also on the program: Verdi’s Overture to Aida.

10/19/2026

Piece: Piano Concerto in A Minor

Composer: Grieg

Conductor: Eugene Ormandy

Orchestra: The Philadelphia Orchestra

Soloist: Philippe Entremont, piano

Grieg Piano Concerto album cover featuring Philippe Entremont with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra

Also on the program: Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 1, with Benny Goodman and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jean Martinon.

10/26/2026

No show: Fund drive

Drop the Needle is preempted for The Classical Station’s fund drive.

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!)

Drop the Needle

Mondays at 7:00 p.m. Eastern