• Samuel Barber on WWFM Today

    Samuel Barber on WWFM Today

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    It’s unusual for me to do double-duty on Thursday, but that’s exactly what will happen today, as I scoot over for an afternoon of production work and live broadcasting at WWFM. (I’m generally there anyway, trying to get my recorded programs in for the weekend.)

    Today, we’ll celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the great American composer, Samuel Barber (b. 1910). It’s a beautiful day, so I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if we have our share of American romantics. We’ll also hear from Czech composer Josef Mysliveček (b. 1737). Mysliveček was a close friend of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, so that will take care of the classicism.

    Eat your heart out, Tony Stark. I’m pulling the iron man shift today, from 4 to 7 p.m. EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network at wwfm.org.


    Samuel Barber contemplates Iron Man. (Please don’t sue me, Marvel.)


  • Classical Music Mount St Helens Bach Birthday

    Classical Music Mount St Helens Bach Birthday

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    When is cauliflower not good for you? When it turns out that it’s actually Mount St. Helens.

    Mount St. Helens blew on May 18, 1980, killing 57 people, reducing hundreds of square miles to wasteland, and causing over $1 billion in damage. It also happened to inspire a symphony by Alan Hovhaness. You’ll hear it today on The Classical Network, as we celebrate Hovhaness’ birthday (b. 1911).

    We’ll also have music by Greek composer Nikos Skalkottas (b. 1904), one of the great film themes by Bruce Broughton (b. 1945), and a concerto by my favorite of the sons of Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel (b. 1714).

    Are you planning on “Giving Bach?” Be one of 500 to make a donation by March 21 – Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday – and we’ll cancel fundraising on that day and simply enjoy his music. Furthermore, we’ll host a free concert that evening at Miller Chapel on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary, with musicians of New York’s Trinity Wall Street performing a selection of his cantatas and organ works.

    Contribute today at wwfm.org, or call during regular business hours at 1-888-232-1212. As always, thank you for your support of WWFM – The Classical Network.


  • Kurt Moll Legendary Bass Voice Passes

    Kurt Moll Legendary Bass Voice Passes

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    It’s all about the bass. German bass Kurt Moll has died at the age of 78. His was one of the great voices.

    http://www.dw.com/en/a-major-operatic-loss-kurt-moll-dies-at-78/a-37834007

    Watch him as the Commendatore here (with other options on the menu to the right, after following the link): https://wn.com/kurt_moll


  • Singularity Quartet Plays Memory on Classical Network

    Singularity Quartet Plays Memory on Classical Network

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    As I type here, with strings tied around every finger, I’m lucky if I can remember what day it is. But the Singularity Quartet, with youth on its side, has managed to put together an entire program constructed on the theme of memory. Join me for today’s Noontime Concert on The Classical Network for four pieces performed by this remarkable saxophone ensemble.

    The program will open with a setting by the quartet’s Scotty Philips of Josquin de Pres’ 16th century chanson, “Mille Regretz.” Philadelphia composer David Ludwig’s “Josquin Microludes” weaves fragments of the material into his own original composition, which he likens to “channel surfing,” as recognizable snippets of Josquin emerge throughout the work’s five movements.

    Pulitzer Prize winner David Lang’s “revolutionary etudes” references Frederic Chopin’s famous etude. The three-movement piece grew out of the composer’s fascination with Chopin’s ability to “make a ridiculously fast and vaguely minor scale last forever.” Lang is the current artist-in-residence at Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study.

    Finally, Dutch composer Tristan Keuris’ “Music for Saxophones” conjures a memory of significance for Singularity Quartet alto saxophonist Cole Belt, since encountering this piece in his years as an undergraduate contributed significantly to his decision to take up the instrument.

    The original concert took place on December 4 at the Institute for Advanced Study’s Wolfensohn Hall, as part of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s chamber music series.

    Singularity Quartet will do the heavy lifting. All you need to remember is to tune in today at 12:00 EST, to WWFM – The Classical Network or wwfm.org.


    PLEASE NOTE: The members of Singularity, Saxophone Quartet – (left to right) Thomas Giles, Bryan McNamara, Scotty Philips, and Cole Belt – will appear as guests of my colleague, David Osenberg, on this week’s “Cadenza,” which will be broadcast on Thursday at 10 p.m.


  • Robert Osborne TCM Host Dies at 84

    Robert Osborne TCM Host Dies at 84

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    Robert Osborne, beloved host of Turner Classic Movies: TCM, died today at the age of 84. Check out this great profile of Osborne from 2006 in the New York Times with photos of his fabulous New York apartment (or at least one of them). Love that library!

    http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/21/realestate/21habi.html?_r=1


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