Classical music radio stations around the world will be celebrating the 80th birthday of Vladimir Ashkenazy. How many will do so, I wonder, by playing “B-sides?”

This morning on WPRB, we’ll take our usual tack and try to focus on the unusual and neglected, with Ashkenazy as pianist, performing music by Taneyev, Stravinsky, Previn and Rautavaara (okay, we’ll toss in a little Rachmaninoff, too), and as conductor, performing works by Franck, Prokofiev, Scriabin and Boris Blacher.

At 9:00, we’ll pause for a visit from accordionist Robert Young McMahan. McMahan, who is on the faculty of The College of New Jersey, is one of the foremost authorities on his instrument. He is on the governing board of the American Accordionists’ Association, which will hold its annual festival at the Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, from July 12 to July 16. Tune in to learn more, or look online at http://www.ameraccord.com. The AAA has commissioned prominent contemporary composers to write for the accordion for over 65 years. McMahan will share some of his insights and recordings.

It will be mostly Ashkenazy, with a dash of accordion, this morning from 6 to 11 EST, on WPRB 103.3 FM and wprb.com. Come to think of it, when are we not dashing, on Classic Ross Amico?

PHOTO: Ashkenazy, oblivious of the dress code