Classic Ross Amico

Category: Daily Dispatch

  • Oktoberfest Meets Dionysus Bavarian Drinking Songs

    Oktoberfest Meets Dionysus Bavarian Drinking Songs

    Each year, at the end of September, the city of Munich is overrun with lederhosen and Dirndl blouses, as beer-lovers from all over the world convene to celebrate Oktoberfest. At the same time, the mythological figure of Bacchus, the god of wine (Dionysus to the Greeks), begins to stir with the ripening of the grape.

    Join me this morning as we observe this cosmic convergence of beer and wine, with alcohol-drenched salutes to Munich and divine revelry, including variations on drinking songs, musical toasts to Bavaria, and works written by native composers Werner Egk, Carl Orff and Richard Strauss.

    Get ready to hoist a few, from 6 to 11 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com. The hills are alive with polkas and pretzels, on Classic Ross Amico.

  • Bavarian Alps with Strauss on WPRB

    Bavarian Alps with Strauss on WPRB

    We leave behind the commotion of the Munich beer halls for an excursion in the Bavarian Alps, courtesy of Richard Strauss. It’s Strauss’ “An Alpine Symphony,” basically for the next hour, as we celebrate Oktoberfest until 11:00 EDT on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com.

  • WWFM Classical Music for Dreary Days

    WWFM Classical Music for Dreary Days

    Dreary days make for great listening.

    There will be Irish music to start this afternoon, hopefully some Florent Schmitt later on, and a nod to Philadelphia composer Romeo Cascarino on his birthday.

    Pour yourself a cup of something nice, and then join me for these and more, between 4 and 7:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network, and at wwfm.org.

  • Lenape Ensemble on WWFM

    Lenape Ensemble on WWFM

    I hope you’ll join me for today’s Noon Time Concert, when I’ll be introducing works performed by Bucks County’s Lenape Chamber Ensemble. On the program will be music by Franz Schubert, Joaquin Turina and Antonin Dvorak. Lenape Chamber Ensemble is made up of crackerjack musicians from Philadelphia and New York City.

    The group’s next set of concerts, which will feature works by Haydn, Schubert and Jean Francaix, will take place on October 7 at Upper Tinicum Lutheran Church in Upper Black Eddy, Pa., and October 9 at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, Pa. For more information, look online at lenapechamberensemble.org.

    Then stick around: later this afternoon, among my featured selections, we’ll enjoy a symphony by Sir Arnold Bax, on WWFM – The Classical Network and at wwfm.org.

    PHOTO: Turina, sporting the most dapper mustache in the room

  • George Gershwin American Original

    George Gershwin American Original

    He began his career as a song plugger on New York’s Tin Pan Alley. He was “discovered” by Al Jolson, who gave him his biggest hit. He composed a string of successful stage musicals with lyrics by his brother, Ira.

    Though he had classical training, he was turned away by both Nadia Boulanger and Maurice Ravel, on the grounds that they didn’t want to spoil his natural voice. He played tennis with Arnold Schoenberg, who also refused him lessons. He kept an autographed photo of Alban Berg in his apartment, next to one of Jack Dempsey.

    His musical, “Of Thee I Sing,” was the first to win a Pulitzer Prize. His opera, “Porgy and Bess,” was a failure at its premiere. His songs graced elegant screen comedies of the 1930s. In the concert hall, he was America’s most authentic voice.

    George Gershwin died of a brain tumor in 1937, at the age of 38. Reportedly, his last words were “Fred Astaire.”

    I invite you to join me this afternoon, as I salute this versatile composer on his birthday anniversary. Gershwin’s music will be among our featured highlights, between 4 and 7 p.m. EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and at wwfm.org.

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