Classic Ross Amico

Category: Daily Dispatch

Faustian Bargains Classical Music Fundraiser

I’d considered selling my soul, just so that we could finally put this autumn fundraiser to bed – but the exchange rate is so BAD right now.

Join me this afternoon on The Classical Network for a playlist of music reflective of rash bargaining, including Franz Liszt’s “A Faust Symphony,” Igor Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale,” and Bernard Herrmann’s “The Devil and Daniel Webster.”

Of course, every Faustian pact fulfilled comes with a slight catch.

Technically, we concluded our “three-day” fall membership campaign on Friday. However, there was enough of a shortfall that now we have to make it up by the end of the month. The pitches are now “soft” – comparatively brief solicitations between the full-length pieces that make up the bulk of our regular programming – but unfortunately having to take care of unfinished business means that we’re beginning to cut into Hallowe’en.

I already started trotting out the spooky stuff yesterday, as did Bill McGlaughlin, but I had to drop several pieces, or play them in a less-than-optimal sequence in order to take care of the pressing matter at hand. As of 7 p.m. yesterday, we were approximately $13,000 short of our budgetary requirement for this time of the year. This was, after all, our first on-air fundraiser since June.

I hasten to add, thank you to all of you who have already given. Even yesterday, we took some very generous donations from concerned listeners who understand just how important it is that we raise the money. But it IS Hallowe’en. Wouldn’t we all rather just dress up and toilet paper some trees?

If you haven’t contributed, and you can afford to drop a few goodies into our treat bag, please do so today. Also, alert your music-loving friends, if it’s not too awkward. We cherish our autonomy and our local hosts, and we know that you do, too. You can bolster the Count anytime by donating online at wwfm.org, or by calling us during business hours at 1-888-232-1212.

Today’s Noontime Concert will come to us from the Lake George Music Festival. Tune in to enjoy works by Leonard Bernstein, David Ludwig, and Darius Milhaud. Then give the devil his due. It’s that time of year, from 12 to 4 p.m. EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

October 30, 2018
Spooky Halloween Music on WWFM

Now is the time to brush the cobwebs from the old chest in the attic, pry open the sarcophagus in the dank crypt of imagination, and reanimate the undead music of Hallowe’ens past. For the next three days, I’ll be spiking my playlists with selections of a decidedly spooky nature – alongside a few birthday celebrations and the usual station business. The sense of menace will culminate in a Hallowe’en blow-out on October 31, including an especially creepy “Music from Marlboro.”

I have no idea what my colleagues have planned for the next few days, but here are the hours during which you are guaranteed to encounter at least a few musical chills (all times Eastern Daylight).

Today: 3 to 7 p.m.
Tomorrow: 1 to 4 p.m.
Wednesday: 4 to 7 p.m.

Please note: I will be on one hour earlier than usual today, providing an extra opportunity to throw a sheet over my head and cry boo!

Don’t try buying me off with McDonald’s gift certificates. I only accept dimes, beginning this afternoon at 3:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

October 29, 2018
American Gothic Halloween Music

Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man!

This Sunday night on “The Lost Chord,” with Hallowe’en lurking like a mad clown astride a vampiric spider around a Caligari corner, we’ll seek our thrills under the comparatively safe conditions of three American experiments in controlled terror.

Wander the creepy cornfields of the overactive imagination with music by George Crumb (“A Haunted Landscape”), Morton Gould (“Jekyll and Hyde Variations”), and Dominick Argento (“Le Tombeau d’Edgar Poe”).

Crumb, who was born on October 24, 1929, makes his home outside Philadelphia. Argento, who hails from York, PA, was born on October 27, 1927. Gould, born and bred in Queens, died in 1996 at the age of 82. All three composers were honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Music.

Walk softly around these spine-tingling exercises in American Gothic. Join me, if you dare, for “Grave Endeavors,” this Sunday night at 10:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

October 28, 2018
Classical Network Thanks Listeners After Fundraiser

People of Earth! Thank you for supporting The Classical Network!

We wrapped up our autumn fundraiser last night with the conclusion of “Picture Perfect.” It was particularly gratifying that we continued to receive donations through the 6:00 hour, even as I buffeted our loyal listeners with Martian heat rays and invasion anxiety courtesy of music from “The War of the Worlds” (1953), “War of the Worlds” (2005), “Rocketship X-M,” “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “Ed Wood,” and “The Thing from Another World.” Unfortunately, since this week’s show was done live, it has not been preserved as a webcast. (That’s another way of saying I forgot to record it.)

Be that as it may, despite the heroic efforts of those of you who contributed, we came up somewhat short of our projected goal of $65,000. As I said, the drive is over, but we are still hoping to fulfill our budgetary requirements by the end of the month. Therefore, you may hear us “soft pitching” between now and then, giving the phone number and working some of the remaining thank you gifts into our playlists, but no more extended stretches of us jabbering on and asking you to give. If you think we do an especially fine job leading up to Hallowe’en, why not toss us a bone or two?

We’ll still be happy to take your donation by phone during regular weekday business hours, at 1-888-232-1212, and of course you are free to donate anytime, around the clock, at wwfm.org.

Again, thank you for your support. We at WWFM – The Classical Network are here to serve you!

October 27, 2018
War of the Worlds Anniversary Events

People of Earth! Hear the difference!

October 30th marks the 80th anniversary of the notorious “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast that brought the Martians to Grover’s Mill, outside Princeton, NJ, and set off a national panic. 2018 also happens to be the 120th anniversary of the publication of the novel.

This week on “Picture Perfect,” we’ll wrap up our “Hear the Difference” fundraiser with a special live double-celebration, featuring music from films inspired by Wells’ classic and other cinematic extraterrestrial-Earthling exchanges.

Strike a blow for humanity! Please support us on the last day of our membership campaign at 1-888-232-1212 or wwfm.org.

Mars attacks, except when it doesn’t. Watch out for that heat ray, this Friday at 6 p.m. EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org!

The locals are all stirred up!

West Windsor Arts Center has big plans for the near future, beginning tomorrow with The mARTian Project Kick-off, which will include a screening of the 1953 George Pal classic. Learn more about the Arts Council’s vision for the next few years:

https://communitynews.org/2018/05/16/west-windsor-arts-council-arts-council-war-of-the-worlds/

Grover’s Mill Coffee House has commemorative events planned for tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday, including a recreation of the 1938 Mercury Theatre radio broadcast:

http://www.groversmillcoffee.com/

Keep watching the skies!

PHOTOS: Orson Welles stirs panic; and the “War of the Worlds” monument, installed in Van Nest Park 30 years ago, to mark the 50th anniversary of the broadcast

October 26, 2018

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