Classical Conversations: Full List

Sylvia Alimena

In 2001, an entrepreneurial group of smaller-budget orchestras banded together and pooled their resources to commission a renowned American composer. Through this unique initiative, the Ford Made in America program was formed. Ford Made in America is the largest orchestral commissioning consortium in the country’s history, and has created a national network through which participating orchestras have access to resources normally not available to orchestras of their size.

This year, 60 orchestras across the country will perform regional premieres of this year's commission, Joseph Schwantner's "Chasing Light..." In our area, the McLean Orchestra, Sylvia Alimena, Music Director and conductor, is the lucky ensemble to bring us this new work. Sylvia Alimena talks with WETA's Marilyn Cooley about the excitement of premiering a work by a living composer. Excerpt courtesy of Reno Chamber Orchestra, Theodore Kuchar, Music Director.

Posted: Tue, Mar 31, 2009

Sharon Isbin

With over 25 albums, Grammy Award-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin has covered a lot of ground. This past March, she released a new album for SONY, called "Journey to the New World." A musical progression from 16th century Britain to America, the CD includes everything from John Dowland lute music to the Joan Baez Suite, a work Isbin commissioned from composer John Duarte in 2002. Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton talks with Ms. Isbin about this latest offering, and includes samples of music from the new CD.

Posted: Fri, May 15, 2009

Lambert Orkis

In a new series of conversations, The Heart of Music, Marilyn Cooley explores the deepest meaning of music for musicians who have dedicated their lives to this art. Here, Marilyn chats with National Symphony Orchestra principal keyboardist Lambert Orkis.

Read more from Orkis on the NSO Tour Blog »

Posted: Wed, Dec 30, 2009

Mariss Jansons and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

In December, 2008, the British music magazine Gramophone ranked the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra as the "World's Greatest Orchestra."  On Monday, February 15th, Washington Performing Arts Society brings chief conductor Mariss Jansons and the orchestra to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall to perform Rachmaninoff's 2nd symphony, and Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto in D minor, with Dutch violinist Janine Jansen.  Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton spoke with Maestro Jansons, and offers this audio portrait of the award-winning conductor.

Posted: Sun, Feb 7, 2010

Joaquín Achúcarro

Spanish-born pianist Joaquín Achúcarro's career took off after winning the 1959 Liverpool International Competition. Since then, he has performed in 60 countries with more than 200 orchestras, has been knighted by King Juan Carlos of Spain, receiving both the Gold Medal of Fine Arts, and the Great Cross of Civil Merit honoring a lifetime of achievement, and, for the past 20 years, has been the Joel Estes Tate Professor of Piano at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He spoke with Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton about his life, and the new Achúcarro Foundation, which supports emerging artists.

Posted: Mon, Jul 6, 2009

Marin Alsop with Jamie Bernstein and Tim Smith

As we celebrate the 90th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth, the Baltimore Symphony plus many assisting artists conducted by BSO Music Director Marin Alsop are performing Mass on October 26 at the Kennedy Center. In a feature produced for Classical WETA by the Baltimore Symphony, Marin Alsop reflects on the significance of Bernstein’s Mass—in the early-70s and today—and speaks with Jamie Bernstein, eldest daughter of the composer, and Baltimore Sun music critic Tim Smith.

Posted: Wed, Oct 22, 2008

Dominick Argento and J. Reilly Lewis

The Cathedral Choral Society presents the world premiere of a commission by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Dominick Argento on March 2, 2008 at 4 p.m. Scored for symphonic chorus, soprano, treble, narrator and orchestra, Sunday's performance at the Washington National Cathedral features soprano Elizabeth Futral. Created as a tribute to his late wife and in honor of the Cathedral's Centennial, Evensong: Of Love and Angels movingly portrays the transcendent power of the heavenly hosts to heal the suffering of mortals. Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton invited composer Dominick Argento and Cathedral Choral Society Music Director J. Reilly Lewis into our studios to discuss the work and its genesis.

Posted: Wed, Feb 27, 2008

Remus Azoitei and Eduard Stan

Violinist Remus Azoitei and pianist Eduard Stan are based in London and Hanover, respectively, but both were born in Romania. They've performed together for many years, and most recently they released the world premiere recordings of the complete works for violin and piano by George Enescu. The Romanian Cultural Institute presents Enescu-Brahms: European Encounters, in which Azoitei and Stan will perform sonatas by both composers at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre on Wednesday, December 9, 2009. They stopped by the WETA studios to talk to Marilyn Cooley about the challenges and rewards of Enescu and Brahms.

Posted: Mon, Dec 7, 2009

Jerome Barry

How would you like to attend an intimate chamber music concert and reception in another country without ever leaving Washington DC? You can do just that by attending an Embassy Series recital. Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton speaks with co-founder Jerome Barry, who with his wife Lisette, started the Embassy Series fifteen years ago. In addition to presenting world-class artists, the series has generated a devoted following, as well as several weddings between audience members.

Posted: Tue, Mar 24, 2009

Joshua Bell

The Washington Performing Arts Society presents violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Jeremy Denk in a nearly sold-out recital at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall on Monday evening, March 3, 2008. Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton spoke with Mr. Bell about his music-making and about his world-wide reputation as an "anonymous" busker in the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station last April 2007.

Posted: Thu, Feb 28, 2008

Joshua Bell

Renowned violinist Joshua Bell returns to the area February 4th in a Washington Performing Arts Society presentation at The Music Center at Strathmore. He's joined by pianist Jeremy Denk for a recital program that includes music by Franck, Brahms, Janáček and Ysaÿe.

Posted: Tue, Jan 27, 2009

Joshua Bell

Over the past four years, Joshua Bell has remodeled his Manhattan home to accommodate musical soirees--eclectic gatherings of musicians, actors, literary figures and others who convene for the sheer joy of sharing their art in an informal setting. Joshua's newest album for SONY Classical, "At Home With Friends," celebrates these livingroom gatherings with works by composers including Ravi Shankar, Edvard Grieg, George Gershwin and Sergei Rachmaninoff. In this music-filled feature, Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton talks with Joshua Bell about the album, and his own approach to music-making.

Posted: Thu, Nov 4, 2010

Jonathan Biss

Since he made his New York Philharmonic debut in 2001, Jonathan Biss has appeared with the foremost orchestras of the United States and Europe. Winner of multiple awards, from the Leonard Bernstein Award to Wolf Trap’s Shouse Debut Artist Award as well as an Avery Fisher Career Grant, Mr. Biss returns to perform with the National Symphony Orchestra March 19-21, 2009. Deb Lamberton talks with Jonathan about his career, and his latest EMI recording of Mozart concertos recorded live in concert with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

Posted: Thu, Mar 19, 2009

Ryan Brown

Opera Lafayette celebrates its 15th anniversary with a new production of Gluck's Armide.  Founder, conductor and Artistic Director Ryan Brown talks with Nicole Lacroix about this work, and some of the other projects on tap for Opera Lafayette.

Posted: Mon, Jan 25, 2010

Susan Clermont and Kevin Lavine

On display in the foyer of the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of congress during February, is a selection of rare items from the Gertrude Clarke Whittall Mendelssohn Collection, including a large and unique iconographic collection and the Mendelssohn family scrapbook. With more than 300 letters, portrait engravings, watercolors, and other documents, the collection is a rich resource for the study of Mendelssohn’s life. Classical WETA’s Nicole Lacroix had the pleasure of touring the exhibit and speaking with Susan Clermont and Kevin Lavine, Senior Music Specialists in the reference section of the Music Division at the Library of Congress.

Posted: Tue, Feb 24, 2009

Thomas Dausgaard

The Washington Performing Arts Society brings the Swedish Chamber Orchestra and pianist Piotr Anderszewski to the Music Center at Strathmore on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 8 p.m. On the program: Beethoven's First Piano Concerto and Coriolan Overture, and Schumann's 2nd symphony. Conductor Thomas Dausgaard spoke with Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton from the studios of Swedish Radio Orebro.

Posted: Wed, Mar 26, 2008

Emil de Cou

Lost scores resurrected, live avian accompaniment, bombast and beauty--it's all part of the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap this summer. Conductor Emil de Cou and WETA's Deb Lamberton explore the music, mayhem, and movies on tap at the Filene Center with the NSO during July.

Posted: Thu, Jul 9, 2009

Glenn Dicterow

In a new series of conversations, The Heart of Music, Marilyn Cooley explores the deepest meaning of music for musicians who have dedicated their lives to this art. In our first installment, she talks with New York Philharmonic Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow.

Posted: Wed, Nov 18, 2009

T. Herb Dimmock

The Bach Concert Series presents free Sunday afternoon concerts at Christ Lutheran Church, 701 S. Charles St. in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Concerts are held at 4:00 the first Sunday of each month from October through June, and are performed by the Bach Concert Series Orchestra, Choir and soloists, T. Herbert Dimmock, music director and conductor. Each concert also features one of the region's leading organists performing a major work on the church's new Andover organ. WETA's Nicole Lacroix spoke to Maestro Dimmock about the free concert series, as well as their May 3rd presentation of the Bach Mass in B Minor.

Posted: Tue, Dec 2, 2008

Simone Dinnerstein

American pianist Simone Dinnerstein has fast been gaining international attention since making a triumphant New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in 2005, performing Bach’s Goldberg Variations. When she was in town for her February 7th Washington Performing Arts Society Kennedy Center debut, Ms. Dinnerstein stopped by Classical WETA to speak with producer Deb Lamberton.

Posted: Tue, Feb 17, 2009

Marta Domingo and Elizabeth Futral

The Washington National Opera opened their 2008-09 season with Verdi's La Traviata, which runs at the Kennedy Center Opera House through October 5. Classical WETA evening host Nicole LaCroix spoke to director Marta Domingo and to soprano Elizabeth Futral, who plays Violetta, about this popular opera.

Posted: Wed, Sep 24, 2008

Robert Eisenstein

For its final program of the season, Folger Consort, the early music ensemble in residence at Folger Shakespeare Library, presents Highland Ayres, a selection of Scottish and Continental music associated with Scotland from the 13th to the late 18th centuries. The program is on stage April 18-20, 2008, and will include a number of works for traditional Scottish instruments — harp, fiddle, and bagpipes — as well as other period instruments in styles ranging from traditional to courtly. Classical WETA's Midday Music Host Marilyn Cooley spoke with the Folger Consort's Robert Eisenstein about the program.

Posted: Wed, Apr 16, 2008

Christoph Eschenbach

Christoph Eschenbach has just been appointed Music Director of both the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center, starting next season. Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton caught up with Maestro Eschenbach backstage at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

Posted: Tue, Sep 30, 2008

Leon Fleisher

The Baltimore Sun's music critic, Tim Smith, commented in his blog, Clef Notes, that "Leon Fleisher['s] every performance is treasurable for the wealth of musical depth it reveals." WETA's Nicole Lacroix visited Mr. Fleisher at his Peabody studio, and chatted with him about overseas travel, his new CD of Mozart Piano Concerti (his first 2-handed concerto recording in more than 40 years), the challenge and simplicty of Mozart, the Kennedy Center Honors and the role of the artist in society. Mr. Fleisher's new CD is just released on the Sony Classical Label, and contains three Mozart Piano Concerti: K.414 in A Major; K.242 in F Major for 3 pianos; and K. 488 in A Major.

Posted: Fri, Apr 17, 2009

Sol Gabetta

Grammy-nominated cellist Sol Gabetta joined the National Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Leonard Slatkin June 26, 2008 for her American debut, performing Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 2. Ms. Gabetta returned to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall on June 28 for the NSO's "Salute to Slatkin", where she and cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed Slatkin's composition, "Dialogue for Two Cellos and Orchestra." Prior to the concerts, Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton invited the 27-year-old cellist to talk about her career.

Posted: Tue, Aug 12, 2008

Sir James Galway

Sir James Galway, "The Man with the Golden Flute," along with his wife Lady Jeanne Galway and their longtime accompanist Phillip Moll perform at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall Monday night, February 25, 2008 as part of the Washington Performing Arts Society. Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton spoke with Sir James about the art of his music-making.

Posted: Wed, Feb 20, 2008

Angel Gil-Ordóñez

Since its debut in 2003, Post Classical Ensemble has gained a reputation for it's innovative and engaging presentations. Music Director Angel Gil-Ordóñez spoke with Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton about their upcoming season, which includes everything from a bass trombone virtuoso to the DC stage premiere of a ballet-pantomime composed by Manuel de Falla.

Posted: Thu, Sep 24, 2009

Evelyn Glennie

Classical WETA's evening host, Nicole Lacroix chats with percussionist Evelyn Glennie who appears with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra as soloist in Michael Daugherty's UFO. The performances took place September 18-20th at Joseph Meyerhoff Hall in Baltimore, and the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda.

Posted: Thu, Sep 18, 2008

Joan Gregoryk

The Children's Chorus of Washington is the go-to ensemble for performances of major repertoire, from Mahler's 3rd and Bach's St. Matthew Passion with the NSO,  to Berlioz' Te Deum with the Cathedral Choral Society on May 10th, and Carmina Burana with the Master Chorale of Washington on May 17th.  They're also performing The Nightingale, a children's opera, May 2-3 at the Harman Arts Center.  Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton catches up with Children's Chorus Founder and Artistic Director Joan Gregoryk.

Posted: Mon, Apr 27, 2009

Hillary Hahn

Violinist Hilary Hahn joins the National Symphony Orchestra this weekend for Paganini's 1st Violin Concerto. Music Director Leonard Slatkin conducts the program which also includes Del Tredici's Final Alice and the Overture to Verdi's vespri siciliani. Weekday morning host David Ginder spoke with Ms. Hahn about her violin, the fun of playing "chamber music" with an orchestra, and Paganini, the tunesmith as well as virtuoso wild man.

Posted: Mon, May 12, 2008

Stephen Hough

Pianist, composer, poet, and MacArthur Fellow Stephen Hough joins the National Symphony Orchestra and conductor Hugh Wolff April 24-26 for an all-French program that includes Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No. 5 in F major, Op. 103 ("Egyptian"). Classical WETA evening host Nicole LaCroix caught up with Mr. Hough backstage at the Kennedy Center, where they discussed the "Egyptian" concerto, the Internet, and Mr. Hough's work as a composer.

Posted: Mon, Apr 21, 2008

Paul Jacobs

Organist Paul Jacobs is widely acknowledged for reinvigorating the U.S. organ scene wit a fresh performance style and "an unbridled joy of musing making." (Baltimore Sun). Currently chairman of Juilliard's organ department, Jacobs will give a recital at Saint Ann's Church in NW Washington on Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 4:00 pm. Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton spoke to Paul about the role of the pipe organ in America today.

Posted: Thu, Sep 25, 2008

Joe Holt

Lovers of a cappella choral music can attend "Pure A Cappella: Spiritual Reflections" Sunday afternoon, April 27, 2008 at National Presbyterian Church. Joseph Holt leads a chamber choir of 63 voices from the Choral Arts Society of Washington in a program spanning six centuries, including the world premier of Missa Pro Pace by Kentaro Sato. Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton spoke with Choral Arts' Associate Director Joe Holt, who brought along examples of the music.

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Leila Josefowicz

When an unknown Boston area code showed up on her caller ID, violinist Leila Josefowicz didn't answer.  Finally, she picked up the phone, only to learn she was the latest recipient of a MacArthur "genius" grant.  Deb Lamberton caught up with Leila at the Kennedy Center, where she's performing Oliver Knussen's Violin Concerto with the National Symphony Orchestra. 

Posted: Thu, May 7, 2009

Kim Allen Kluge

Kim Allen Kluge, music director of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, talks with Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton about music-making -- both as a conductor, and in his new guise as Hollywood composer.

Posted: Mon, Sep 29, 2008

Charles Krauthammer

Pro Musica Hebraica is devoted to presenting Jewish classical music — much of it lost, forgotten, or rarely performed — in a concert-hall setting. Pulitzer prize-winning columnist Charles Krauthammer is Chairman of Pro Musica Hebraica. He spoke to Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton about why he and his wife Robyn created the series with Artistic Director James Conlon, and about the upcoming concerts on November 18th and March 19th at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater.

Posted: Mon, Nov 10, 2008

J. Reilly Lewis

The Cathedral Choral Society saluted the Centennial of the Washington National Cathedral with a performance of Mendelssohn's dramatic oratorio Elijah, Sunday, May 18, 2008. The work, from which come such well-known sacred choral anthems as He watching over Israel and Lift Thine Eyes to the mountains, features chorus, soloists, and full orchestra. Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton and conductor J. Reilly Lewis offer a brief musical triptych through the work.

Posted: Tue, Aug 12, 2008

J. Reilly Lewis

The Cathedral Choral Society commemorates the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth with a special concert at the National Cathedral on Sunday, March 8 at 4:00 PM. Lincoln scholar and actor Sam Waterston narrates Aaron Copland's Lincoln Portrait. The concert also features the U.S. premiere of Charles Villiers Stanford's Elegiac Ode, Julia Ward Howe's Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Paul Hindemith's choral requiem based on Walt Whitman's verse,"When Lilacs Last in the Door-yard Bloom'd". Cathedral Choral Society Music Director J. Reilly Lewis joined Deb Lamberton in the Classical WETA studios.

Posted: Fri, Feb 27, 2009

Andrew Litton

Conductor Andrew Litton started his career right here in Washington, as Exxon/Arts Endowment Assistant Conductor with the National Symphony Orchestra under the late Mstislav Rostropovich.  Twenty-seven years later, his resume includes music directorships at orchestras from Dallas to Great Britain, as well as his current position conducting Norway's Bergen Philharmonic.  Deb Lamberton talks with Mr. Litton about his life, his career, and what it's like to be a piano-playing conductor.

Posted: Wed, Dec 2, 2009

Kurt Masur

WPAS brings conductor Kurt Masur and the Orchestre National de France to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall after a 17-year hiatus on Monday, April 28 at 8:00 p.m. The program includes Anton Bruckner's 7th Symphony and Beethoven's 2nd piano concerto, featuring the gifted young French pianist David Fray. Maestro Masur spoke with Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton about his life in music.

Posted: Tue, Apr 22, 2008

H. David Meyers

Oboist H. David Meyers performs the long-lost and recently rediscovered Beethoven Oboe Concerto December 2nd at the Music Center at Strathmore. Classical WETA's David Ginder spoke with Mr. Meyers about the event, which benefits Children's Hospital, and another project he's working on.

Posted: Tue, Nov 25, 2008

Lori Miller

When you hear the words "Van Cliburn Competition," you think of winners who go on to become world-renowned concert pianists. But the Van Cliburn Foundation sponsors another competition--this one for amateur pianists over age 35. Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton spoke with filmmaker Lori Miller about her new feature-length documentary "They Came To Play", which received its theatrical premiere Sunday, October 25th in Washington, DC.

Posted: Fri, Oct 23, 2009

Patricia O'Kelly

Patricia O'Kelly, a longtime NSO administrator talks with Classical WETA's Marilyn Cooley about the June tour of the Far East with the National Symphony Orchestra. They discuss the 14-hour flight, the logistical challenges, the spectacular performances by both musicians and crew, and Patricia reminisces about tours of yore.

Posted: Fri, Jun 5, 2009

Neale Perl

Classical WETA's Nicole Lacroix talks to WPAS President Neale Perl about the upcoming WPAS season. The 2008-2009 season features an incredible lineup of some of the world's preeminent performers.

Posted: Mon, Sep 8, 2008

Julian Rachlin

The brilliant violinist Julian Rachlin joins the National Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin for an all-Russian program April 10-12, 2008, featuring Shostakovich's Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 77/99. The concerts also include works by Mussorgski and Rachmaninoff. Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton spoke with Mr. Rachlin about the concerto and about his new CD of Shostakovich chamber music recorded live in concert at Vienna's Musikverein for the Onyx label.

Posted: Wed, Apr 2, 2008

Norman Scribner

The Choral Arts Society of Washington opens their 45th season by turning the Kennedy Center Concert Hall into a modern-day San Marco, with choirs positioned along all four sides of the house. Choral Arts founder and Artistic Director Norman Scribner talks with Deb Lamberton about DC as a choral town, and about this concert on Sunday, November 15th at 4PM, which features choral, brass, and organ music that will encircle the audience with sound.

Posted: Mon, Nov 9, 2009

Norman Scribner

From a 7-octave handbell choir to renowned soprano Janice Chandler Eteme, the Choral Arts Society of Washington returns to the Kennedy Center with their annual Christmas concerts. Titled "Joyeux Noël: A Holiday Celebration with a French Twist!" the program features the musical heritage of French carols, along with familiar Christmas sing-alongs and the world premiere of a work that features Ms. Chandler Eteme as soloist. WETA evening host Nicole LaCroix talks with CASW founder and artistic director Norman Scribner about what to expect.

Posted: Wed, Dec 9, 2009

Bob Shafer

On April 19, at 5 pm, the City Choir of Washington will perform their final season concert at The National Presbyterian Church in Washington. The program will feature the world premiere of a new work by Robert Shafer, Lux Aeterna, along with Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and Maurice Durufle’s Requiem. Classical WETA’s Nicole Lacroix talked with Mr. Shafer about the upcoming concert, and what it’s like to be a composer in the 21st century.

Posted: Tue, Apr 14, 2009

Robert Shafer

The City Choir of Washington opens its third season under Artistic Director Robert Shafer this October, but not before singing lyrics in Elvish at Wolf Trap for the U.S. premiere of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, staged with live orchestra, chorus and soloists.  Deb Lamberton talks with Bob about The City Choir's exploits with Middle Earth, the Music Man, and Maurice Duruflé.

Posted: Thu, Aug 27, 2009

Vladimir Spivakov

The Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and Vladimir Spivakov were joined by award-winning Russian pianist Olga Kern Wednesday night, May 14, 2008 at the Music Center at Strathmore. The program featured Ms. Kern in concertos by Haydn and Shostakovich. Prior to the concert, Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton spoke with Maestro Spivakov about his art, and his friendship with both Slava and Shostakovich.

Posted: Tue, Aug 12, 2008

Julian Wachner

Music Director designate Julian Wachner leads The Washington Chorus in "Songs of the Soul" at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. In addition to the full-orchestral scoring of Gabriel Fauré's Requiem, the program includes the Washington premiere of Carlyle Sharp's Proud Music of the Storm, and Brahms' seldom-heard Gesang der Parzen Op. 89. Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton spoke with Julian Wachner about the program.

Posted: Wed, Apr 23, 2008

Julian Wachner

A select baroque orchestra from across the continent joins The Washington Chorus and soloists Sunday, November 18th at 5 PM for J.S. Bach's Mass in B Minor. Music Director Julian Wachner, a baroque specialist, talks with Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton about his approach to this work, and what he's chosen for the rest of the season.

Posted: Sun, Nov 9, 2008

Julian Wachner

If moving down his grand piano is any indication, composer/conductor Julian Wachner is definitely setting down roots in DC. As Music Director of The Washington Chorus, Wachner talks with Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton about how he's preparing the nearly 180 singers of the chorus for their Palm Sunday, April 5th Kennedy Center performance of Verdi's dramatic masterwork.

Posted: Tue, Mar 31, 2009

Julian Wachner & The Washington Chorus

The Washington Chorus opens their 49th season Sunday, November 8th with "The Essential Puccini," a program of best-loved choruses and arias by the Italian master.  Music Director Julian Wachner talks with Deb Lamberton about this program, and about their 2009-10 season, including performances with The National and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras.

Posted: Mon, Oct 26, 2009

Antony Walker

"It's all about the music!" is how Washington Concert Opera describes their mission. WCO Artistic Director/Conductor Antony Walker talks with Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton about WCO's current season at Lisner Auditorium, featuring Elizabeth Futral, Stephanie Blythe, and Met Opera newcomer Leah Partridge.

Posted: Wed, Oct 29, 2008

Antony Walker

For over twenty years, Washington Concert Opera's signature has been, "It's all about the music." Known for professional, full-length concert performances of distinctive opera repertoire, WCO also has a knack for presenting young singers who go on to become major stars. Conductor and Artistic Director Antony Walker talks with Deb Lamberton about the current season, which features Charles Castronovo, John Relyea, and Amanda Majeski in Gounod's Faust on November 22nd, and Vivica Genaux and Kenneth Tarver in Rossini's La Cenerentola on May 9, 2010 at Lisner Auditorium.

Posted: Mon, Nov 16, 2009

Yuja Wang

If you search You Tube for "House of Flying Fingers", you'll see a young lady blazing through Arcadi Volodos' wickedly difficult arrangement of the Rondo Alla Turca by Mozart. That's Yuja Wang, a 22-year-old phenom who's performing Prokofiev's 2nd Piano Concerto with the National Symphony Orchestra. After rehearsal, she spoke with Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton about her music-making, and her debut album.

Posted: Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Wu Han

Pianist Wu Han ranks among the most esteemed and influential classical musicians in the world today. As both soloist and chamber musician, she's toured extensively with her husband, cellist David Finckel. Together, they founded ArtistLed, classical music’s first musician-directed and Internet-based recording company. Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton spoke with Ms. Han about her first solo piano album for ArtistLed, called "Russian Recital."

Posted: Tue, Jan 13, 2009

Christopher Zimmerman

The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra has just chosen its third music director in 53 years. British-born Christopher Zimmerman, Music Director of the Hartt Symphony and conducting professor at the Hartt School in Hartford, CT begins his three-year appointment with the Fairfax Symphony this Fall. Classical WETA's David Ginder talks with Maestro Zimmerman about conducting and his musical preferences.

Posted: Mon, Jun 15, 2009

Christopher Zimmerman

The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra opens its 53rd season with its first new music director in 37 years. English-born Christopher Zimmerman brings years of experience as a conductor of ensembles both academic and professional, both in the U.S. and abroad. Classical WETA's Marilyn Cooley chats with Zimmerman about the opening concert of the season (Saturday September 12) and the many duties of a modern music director, as well as Zimmerman's thoughts about leading one of the nation's finest regional orchestras.

Posted: Wed, Sep 9, 2009

Nikolaj Znaider

Violinist Nikolaj Znaider celebrates the centenary of Edward Elgar's Violin Concerto with a new RCA Red Seal recording and a global tour in 2010. Znaider kicked off the American leg of his tour this month with the National Symphony Orchestra under Elgar specialist Leonard Slatkin. He talks with Deb Lamberton about his unique relationship with the NSO, and about his historic Del Gesu violin--the very same instrument Fritz Kreisler used for the world premiere of Elgar's monumental violin concerto in 1910.

Posted: Thu, Jan 7, 2010