This Week at The Classical Station

by Rob Kennedy

Sunday, October 29, 2023

This evening on Preview! Sara Cahill plays music by Clara Schumann. Violinist Randall Goosby talks about his recording of the Concertos by Florence Price.

Preview! brings you the latest releases and local arts news every Sunday at 6 p.m.

This morning Great Sacred Music includes performances by the Oxford Camerata; the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; and José Suárez. You’ll hear works by John Rutter; Johann Sebastian Bach; Palestrina; and many more.

Great Sacred Music. 8 a.m. Right after Sing for Joy. With Mick Anderson.

On October 29 we observe the birthday of German pianist Michael Ponti (1937-2022). He was highly regarded for his copious recordings of obscure composers.

Photo: Charly Tandy/dpa

Saturday, October 28, 2023

As you have probably figured out, we are not like other businesses. The Classical Station’s business model relies almost exclusively on support from our listeners. And we never tell anybody how much to give. That’s entirely up to each listener. Can you imagine if you went to have your car serviced and when it was done, you asked what you owed and the service representative replied: “Pay whatever you like.” But that’s exactly how we operate here at The Classical Station. We operate on the honor system. You can listen to Mozart and Beethoven every day and not contribute a dollar to our operating expenses. Nobody will ever know. Or you can do what thousands of wonderful listeners do and become a Sustaining Member of the station with your gift of $10, $15, $20, or more per month. They support the great classical music they hear and love. Won’t you do the same? Please. Call 800-556-51-78 right now.

Thank you for your support.

On October 28 we observe the birthday of American composer Howard Hanson (1896-1981).

The winner of a Pulitzer Prize for his Symphony No. 4, he was Director of the Eastman School of Music for 40 years.

Photo: Unknown Author, Northwestern University Collection, Fair Use

Friday, October 27, 2023

Thank you to everybody who has already donated to The Classical Station during our “Quiet Fall Fundraiser”! Your contributions help us to continue broadcasting the music you love on the radio, on the app, on Alexa, and online all around the world. If you have not yet renewed your support, we have a special reason for you to give today.

The “Friends from Greensboro,” an anonymous group of donors, have come together to match all donations made today up to $15,000. This is a great chance to double the impact of your donation because all contributions will be matched dollar for dollar! All of the money raised will go directly towards playing more Great Classical Music on The Classical Station.

Thank you for your support!

Niccolo Paganini
Portrait by Luigi Calamatta, Public Domain, Metropolitan Museum

On October 27 we observe the birthday of Italian violinist and composer Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840). Besides composing over 130 works, Signor Paganini was one of the greatest violin virtuosi of all time. He commissioned Harold in Italy from French composer Hector Berlioz.

Thursday, October 26, 2023

“La fille du Régiment” (The Daughter of the Regiment) is an opera composed by Gaetano Donizetti. The story revolves around a young orphaned girl named Marie, who has been adopted and raised by a regiment of soldiers. She grows up as their “daughter” and becomes a spirited and vivacious young woman.

The plot takes a turn when Marie falls in love with a civilian named Tonio, who saves her from danger. However, her happiness is threatened when she discovers her real identity as the niece of the Marquise of Berkenfield. This revelation sets the stage for a delightful blend of comedy, romance, and military themes as Marie navigates the challenges of her newfound aristocratic status while trying to pursue her love for Tonio.

“La fille du Régiment” is known for its beautiful arias, including Marie’s famous aria “Chacun le sait” and Tonio’s challenging aria “Ah! mes amis.” The opera is celebrated for its humor, lively music, and the vocal acrobatics required of its lead singers. It’s a delightful and entertaining opera that showcases Donizetti’s talent for combining comedy and emotion in his compositions.

You can hear this opera on the Thursday Night Opera House beginning at 7 p.m. Tell your smart device to “Play The Classical Station.”

On October 26 we observe the birthday of the Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757).

Scarlatti was born in the same year as two other Baroque-era composers, Johann Sebastian Bach and Georg Frideric Handel. He is remembered today as the composer of over 500 keyboard sonatas, although he wrote music in a variety of other forms.

Painting: Domingo Antonio Velasco (1738), Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

WCPE tower by Will Padgett

On Day 5 of our Fall 2023 Membership Drive, we thank you so much for your contributions and for spreading the word about this special classical music radio station.

As you know, we are not like other businesses. Our business model relies almost exclusively on support from our listeners. And we never tell anybody how much to give. That’s entirely up to each listener. Can you imagine if I went into my dry cleaners to pick up my slacks and when I asked how much that was, the owner replied: “Pay whatever you like.” But that’s exactly how we operate here at The Classical Station. We operate on the honor system. You can listen and not contribute a dollar to our operating expenses. Nobody will ever know. Or you can do what thousands of wonderful listeners do and become a Sustaining Member of The Classical Station with your gift of $10, $15, $20, or more per month. They support the great classical music they hear and love. Won’t you do the same?

Call 800-556-51-78 and tell the volunteer who answers the phone that you want to become a Sustaining Member of The Classical Station. Thank you for your support!

On October 25 we observe the birthdays of Austrian composer Johann Strauss II (1825-1899), French composer Georges Bizet (1838-1975), Russian-born American composer Alexander Gretchaninov (1884-1956), and Japanese-born American violinist Midori Goto (1971-).

Herr Strauss composed over 500 waltzes, polkas, and other dances. Monsieur Bizet was only thirty-six when he died. He did not live to see his opera Carmen become a success. Largely ignored during his lifetime, Bizet made his living transcribing and arranging the music of other composers. Alexander Tikhonovich Gretchaninov emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 75. He wrote five symphonies as well as music in other forms. Besides being a concert performer and recording artist, Midori is the Distinguished Professor and Jascha Heifetz Chair at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Thank you so much to everyone who has gone online or called 800-556-5178 to contribute during our Fall Membership Drive. You will hear the announcers mention that an Angel Match is in effect. Please take advantage of those Angel Matches because they will double your gift. If you have been listening for a while and enjoy our programming, but haven’t yet become a member because you assume that we have an endowment or that your gift is too small, that’s not true! We don’t have an endowment. and we’d be thrilled with a gift in any amount. We just want you to become part of our family of classical music lovers.

Thank you for your support.

On October 24 we observe the birthdays of Italian baritone Tito Gobbi (1913-1989), English composer Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987), Italian composer Luciano Berio (1925-2003), and American fortepianist Malcolm Bilson(1935-).

Besides being an internationally acclaimed operatic baritone with a repertoire of over 100 roles, Gobbi was also a stage director of dozens of operatic productions. Ms. Poston wrote dozens of scores for radio and television shows. Signor Berio was a pioneer in composing electronic and experimental music. Professor Bilson teaches at Cornell University.

Photo: Elizabeth Poston, Unknown Author, Fair Use, Wikimedia Commons

Monday, October 23, 2023

On Day 4 of our Fall 2023 Membership Drive, we are asking those listeners who have never donated to The Classical Station to join our family of classical music lovers. Yes, we know that you can hear the same music on Spotify or iTunes. What those streaming services don’t have is a friendly, live announcer introducing the music, setting the scene if you will. That’s one of the things which makes this radio station unique. The other thing is that we have been volunteer-powered and listener-supported since 1978.

So, please become a Sustaining Member today and help us reach our Fund Drive target. Click a gift to us via our app or this website. Or call 800-556-5178 anytime. Thank you for your support.

This evening, Monday Night at the Symphony features the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra which was founded in 1923. The program includes music by Peter Tchaikovsky, Robert Schumann, Frederic Chopin, and more, conducted by Gerd Albrecht, Lothar Zagrosek, and Riccardo Chailly.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. Eastern.

On October 23 we observe the birthdays of German composer Albert Lortzing (1801-1851), Russian composer Alexander Archangelsky (1845-1924), and American composer Ned Rorem (1923-).

Herr Lortzing is best known as a composer of comic operas. Alexander Archangelsky led the revival of Russian choral music in the late 1800s. Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Ned Rorem has composed hundreds of works in a variety of forms. He has written sacred choral music, several symphonies, and dozens of songs. Happy 98th birthday, Ned Rorem!

Photo: Alexander Archangelsky, Unknown Author, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons