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From the Top

Spotlighting exciting young performers on Classical WETA.

Hear the next generation of classical champions as talented teens from across the nation play the classics in concert. Sundays at 6:00 pm on Classical WETA 90.9 FM.

Often credited for its innovative and fun approach to classical music, From the Top has helped to build a bridge between classical music and youth. Acclaimed pianist Christopher O'Riley hosts the program, which is distributed by NPR and sponsored by UBS.

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From the Top

Sundays at 6:00 pm on Classical WETA 90.9 FM

Visit the From the Top website »

Upcoming and recent broadcasts

Classical Teens Ring Out In The Rockies

November 23, 2008 at 6:00 pm

From the Aspen Music Festival and School in Colorado, a gifted flutist embraces a Swiss ballade, a 16-year-old violinist tosses off a devilish sonata and a 14-year-old pianist tackles Liszt's Mephisto Waltz.

Vitality in Virginia: Teens Play the Classics

November 16, 2008 at 6:00 pm

From the Virginia Arts Festival in Newport News, Virginia, a 17-year-old baritone sings Handel, a 15-year-old cellist plays Mendelssohn, and a teenage saxophone quartet from Chicago plays…with vigor. This program originally aired on June 18, 2008

Kids, Keyboards and Classics

November 9, 2008 at 6:00 pm

From the International Institute for Young Musicians in Lawrence, Kan., it's an all piano program featuring kids from ages 12 to 16, playing Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin and Chopin.

Excellence in Ohio: Teens Play the Classics

November 2, 2008 at 6:00 pm

From New Albany, Ohio, an 18-year-old pianist tackles Beethoven's "Waldstein" Sonata, a teenage violinist from Boston plays Wieniawski, and an 18-year-old soprano, who is brave enough to admit when her parents are right, sings a song for spring. This program originally aired on May 28, 2008

Kids' Strings Sing At The Heifetz Institute

October 26, 2008 at 6:00 pm

From the Top travels to the Heifetz International Music Institute, on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, in New Hampshire, where a quartet of string players tackles a Schumann classic, and a speed reading 16-year-old violinist plays Bazzini's virtuosic Round of the Goblins.

Unexpected Classics from Uncommon Combos

October 19, 2008 at 6:00 pm

This week From the Top highlights five remarkable young chamber music groups from past programs. In this "uncommon combos" show, six bassoons play a lively march, three percussionists share one marimba in careful choreography, and an ensemble of teenage string players performs a serenade by a gifted 18-year-old composer.

In Portland: Plucky Teens, Polished Classics

October 12, 2008 at 6:00 pm

This week, seven classical teens take the stage at Reed College's Kaul Auditorium in Portland, Oregon, where a 15-year-old harpist plays Carnival of Venice variations, an athletic young violinist offers up music by Beethoven, and a self-proclaimed moody pianist pours her heart into dances by Bach

Following the Fortunes of Musical Teens

October 5, 2008 at 6:00 pm

In the Fifth Annual "Where Are They Now?" Highlights Program, From the Top catches up with a few of the brightest stars from past shows. Focusing on four young musicians who have risen to professional status, host Christopher O'Riley revisits their past radio performances and interviews them about their more recent musical adventures. This program originally aired on June 4, 2008

In Berkeley, New Music And Joyful Bach

September 28, 2008 at 6:00 pm

This week, From the Top is in Berkeley, California, where a 12-year-old pianist joyfully wraps her brain and fingers around a Bach fugue, a hockey-playing bassoonist performs Weber and a teen quartet offers up a new work by a local 17-year-old.