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:

May 2026 on Drop the Needle

5/4/2026

Piece: Háry János Suite

Composer: Kodály

Conductor: Antal Doráti

Orchestra: The Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra

Kodály Háry János Suite album cover conducted by Antal Doráti

5/11/2026

Piece: Trumpet Concerto in E Major

Composer: Hummel

Conductor: Pierre Monteux

Orchestra: The Boston Chamber Ensemble

Soloist: Armando Ghitalla, trumpet

Album cover from the May 11 Drop the Needle program

5/18/2026

Piece: Symphony No. 5

Composer: Tchaikovsky

Conductor: Yevgeny Mravinsky

Orchestra: The Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra

Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 album cover conducted by Yevgeny Mravinsky

5/25/2026

Piece: Symphony No. 5 “Reformation”

Composer: Mendelssohn

Conductor: Claudio Abbado

Orchestra: The London Symphony Orchestra

Mendelssohn Symphony No. 5 album cover conducted by Claudio Abbado

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

Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 in A

Composed by

George Enescu (1881-1955)

Performed by

Berlin Philharmonic/Barenboim

Label

Teldec

Catalog Number

46329

Today's Playlist

2:00pm Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat, Op. 110

Composed by

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Performed by

Claudio Arrau

2:22pm L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2

Composed by

Georges Bizet (1838–1875)

Performed by

Philharmonia Orchestra/Karajan

2:43pm Ballet Music from Faust

Composed by

Charles Gounod (1818-1893)

Performed by

Montreal Symphony/Dutoit

3:01pm Concerto in C for Flute and Oboe

Composed by

Antonio Salieri (1750-1825)

Performed by

Milan/Theodore/City of London Sinfonia/Hickox

3:23pm Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor

Composed by

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)

Performed by

Polish National RSO/Wit

3:36pm Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 40

Composed by

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Performed by

Perahia/Academy SMF/Marriner

4:01pm Chorale Prelude: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645 (Sleepers, Awake!)

Composed by

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Performed by

Karl Richter

4:08pm Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy ~ The Nutcracker, Op. 71

Composed by

Peter I. Tchaikovsky, arr. Xavier de Maistre

Performed by

Maistre/WDR Symphony Orchestra of Cologne/Stutzmann

4:11pm Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity from The Planets, Op. 32

Composed by

Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

Performed by

New York Philharmonic/Bernstein

4:20pm Claire de Lune from Suite Bergamasque

Composed by

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Performed by

Capucon/Bellom

4:26pm Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G minor

Composed by

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Performed by

Philadelphia Orchestra/Ormandy

4:30pm Semper Fidelis (a march)

Composed by

John Philip Sousa (1854-1932)

Performed by

Philip Jones Ensemble/Howarth

4:33pm Noble and Sentimental Waltzes

Composed by

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

Performed by

Paris Orchestra/Martinon

4:49pm Concerto in G minor for 2 Cellos, RV 531

Composed by

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Performed by

J&J Lloyd Webber/European Union CO/Hofmann

5:01pm Concerto Grosso in E minor

Composed by

William Boyce (1711-1779)

Performed by

Cantilena/Shepherd

5:13pm Country Gardens

Composed by

Percy Grainger

Performed by

BBC Philharmonic/Hickox

5:16pm Theme from Laura

Composed by

David Raskin

Performed by

Hollywood Bowl Orchestra/Raskin

5:23pm Aquarium from Carnival of the Animals

Composed by

Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921)

Performed by

Rudy/Barton/Toulouse Capitole/Plasson

5:27pm At Home with Us (waltz)

Composed by

Johann Strauss Jr. (1825-1899)

Performed by

Vienna Philharmonic/Kleiber

5:37pm Dome epais le jasmin (Flower Duet) from Lakme

Composed by

Leo Delibes (1836-1891)

Performed by

Sutherland/Berbie/Monte Carlo Opera/Bonynge

5:43pm Concerto for Harp and Orchestra

Composed by

Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983)

Performed by

Zabaleta/French National Orchestra/Martinon

6:01pm Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat, Op. 73 "Emperor"

Composed by

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Performed by

Bronfman/Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich/Zinman

6:39pm Flute Concerto in A

Composed by

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714–1788)

Performed by

Galway/Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra/Faerber

7:01pm Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68

Composed by

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Performed by

Berlin Philharmonic/Karajan

7:48pm Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

Composed by

Franz Liszt (1811-1886)

Performed by

Vienna Philharmonic/Sinopoli

8:02pm The Planets, Op. 32

Composed by

Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

Performed by

NY Philharmonic/NY Choral Artists/Mehta

8:56pm Abendlied (Evening Song)

Composed by

Robert Schumann

Performed by

Katia & Marielle Labeque

9:01pm Norwegian Dance, Op. 35 No. 1

Composed by

Edvard Grieg (1843–1907)

Performed by

Gothenburg Symphony/Jarvi

9:08pm Lute Suite in G minor, BWV 995 (perf. on guitar in A minor)

Composed by

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Performed by

Sharon Isbin

9:31pm String Quartet No. 1 in D, Op. 11

Composed by

Peter I. Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

Performed by

Heath Quartet

10:03pm Nimrod from Enigma Variations, Op. 36

Composed by

Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

Performed by

Kanneh-Mason/Davies/Roberts/Knight/Dearnley/Klouda

10:08pm Guitar Concerto in E minor, Op. 56

Composed by

Francesco Molino (1768-1847)

Performed by

Romero/Academy SMF/Brown

10:34pm Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64

Composed by

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Performed by

Li/Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Davis

11:03pm Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104

Composed by

Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904)

Performed by

Tsang/Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Yoo

11:45pm Music selected by the announcer