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!)

Drop the Needle

Mondays at 7:00 p.m. Eastern