FM Classical Conversations

Bob Shafer

mjones — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:37:55 -0400

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.

Julian Wachner

mjones — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:55:18 -0400

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.

Sylvia Alimena

mjones — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:36:03 -0400

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.

Jerome Barry

mjones — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:46:54 -0400

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.

Jonathan Biss

mjones — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:52:34 -0400

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.

J. Reilly Lewis

mjones — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:40:25 -0500

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.

Kevin Lavine and Susan Clermont

mjones — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:21:28 -0500

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.

Yuja Wang

mjones — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:47:25 -0500

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.

Simone Dinnerstein

mjones — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:07:15 -0500

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.

Joshua Bell

mjones — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:18:49 -0500

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.

Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton spoke with Mr. Bell about his recital, and his new CD of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, on the Sony label.

Wu Han

mjones — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:39:01 -0500

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."

T. Herb Dimmock

mjones — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:49:50 -0500

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.

H. David Meyers

mjones — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:44:53 -0500

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.

Charles Krauthammer

mjones — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:36:16 -0500

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.

Julian Wachner

mjones — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:29:14 -0500

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.

Antony Walker

mjones — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:22:57 -0400

"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.

Marin Alsop with Jamie Bernstein and Tim Smith

mjones — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:38:54 -0400

Leonard Bernstein’s Mass was the piece that opened the Kennedy Center in 1971. Many in attendance on opening night called it provocative and innovative; others said it was appalling. As we celebrate the 90th anniversary of Bernstein’s birth, the Baltimore Symphony plus many assisting artists conducted by BSO Music Director Marin Alsop are performing Mass on October 24 at Carnegie Hall in New York, and on October 26 at the Kennedy Center (following performances earlier in the month at Meyerhoff in Baltimore).

Christoph Eschenbach

mjones — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:23:41 -0400

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.

Kim Allen Kluge

mjones — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:30:39 -0400

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.

Paul Jacobs

mjones — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:15:57 -0400

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.

Marta Domingo and Elizabeth Futral

mjones — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:47:41 -0400

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.

Evelyn Glennie

pmcketa — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:04:17 -0400

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.

Neale Perl

mjones — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:31:12 -0400

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.

Sol Gabetta

mjones — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:33:46 -0400

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.

J. Reilly Lewis

mjones — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:28:16 -0400

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.

Vladimir Spivakov

mjones — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:44:29 -0400

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. Also on the program: Shoenberg's expressive Verklärte Nacht, and two tangos by Astor Piazolla. Prior to the concert, Classical WETA's Deb Lamberton spoke with Maestro Spivakov about his art, and his friendship with both Slava and Shostakovich.

Stephen Hough

pmcketa — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:36:24 -0400

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.

Hillary Hahn

pmcketa — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:28:23 -0400

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.

Joe Holt

pmcketa — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:01:07 -0400

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.

Julian Wachner

pmcketa — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:04:16 -0400

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.

Kurt Masur

pmcketa — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:06:23 -0400

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.

Robert Eisenstein

pmcketa — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:08:56 -0400

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.

Robert Shafer

pmcketa — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:17:08 -0400

Robert Shafer, Artistic Director of The City Choir of Washington, performs Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 at Strathmore Thursday evening, April 17, 2008 at 8 p.m. Nearly 250 musicians -- including four choirs (The City Choir of Washington will be joined by the Shenandoah Conservatory Choir, the Children's Chorus of Washington, and the Blue Ridge Choristers) plus soloists and a Baroque orchestra -- will take the stage in this monumental high Renaissance masterpiece.

Julian Rachlin

pmcketa — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:18:29 -0400

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.

Thomas Dausgaard

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:57:39 -0400

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.

Joshua Bell

pmcketa — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:21:51 -0500

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.

Dominick Argento and J. Reilly Lewis

pmcketa — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:53:13 -0500

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.

Sir James Galway

pmcketa — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:23:27 -0500

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.