Classic Ross Amico

  • Xian Zhang Tchaikovsky NJSO Debut

    Xian Zhang Tchaikovsky NJSO Debut

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    Ross Amico
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    When certain composers or pieces have become ensconced in the repertoire, it’s very easy to take them for granted. But, as the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s new music director, Xian Zhang, reveals, it’s often hard work to make the familiar sound effortless.

    “People know Tchaikovsky, in a way – you know, the most popular works – but if you look deeper, it’s not that easy to make it sound good,” she says. “The Fifth is one of the most popular symphonies. We have to actually work very hard to make it sound as good as people expect.”

    It’s certainly worth noting, as the orchestra prepares three favorites by one of classical music’s most beloved composers. Simon Trpčeski will be the soloist in Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. In addition, Zhang will conduct the Polonaise from his opera “Eugene Onegin” and the Symphony No. 5.

    The program will mark Zhang’s debut as the orchestra’s music director, with appearances at four different venues across the state. Remaining performances will take place at Richardson Auditorium in Princeton (tonight at 8), the State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick (tomorrow night at 8), and the Mayo Performing Arts Center – MPAC in Morristown (Sunday at 3).

    Find out more in my article in today’s Trenton Times:

    http://www.nj.com/times-entertainment/index.ssf/2016/10/classical_music_njso_performin_2.html

  • Beethoven’s 9th Princeton Performance Celebrated

    Beethoven’s 9th Princeton Performance Celebrated

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    Ross Amico
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    2 responses

    Hooray! We made our goal! Now here’s a little something for YOU.

    To celebrate the successful conclusion of WWFM’s Autumn Membership Campaign, I will introduce a new recording, which turned up in my mailbox only yesterday afternoon, of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, conducted by Mark Laycock.

    Mark Laycock, long-time music director of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra and former associate conductor of the New Jersey Symphony, will be joined by soloists, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, and the Westminster Symphonic Choir, in this performance that took place at Richardson Auditorium, in Alexander Hall, on the campus of Princeton University.

    Beethoven’s symphony was the capstone of a concert given on January 25, 2014, to celebrate the 100th birthday of American scholar, philanthropist, and human rights advocate William H. Scheide, who was in attendance. The event was televised as part of PBS’ “Great Performances” series earlier this year.

    Join us as I share this “Ode to Joy” – a new recording of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Mark Laycock – this afternoon at 4:00, on WWFM – The Classical Network and at wwfm.org. And thank you for making our autumn membership campaign a success!

    PHOTOS: Mark Laycock (left) and William H. Scheide, pictured with his wife Judith, accepting a bouquet at his 100th birthday concert at Princeton University’s Richardson Auditorium

  • Halloween Radio Show Vampires Werewolves & More

    Halloween Radio Show Vampires Werewolves & More

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    Ross Amico
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    2 responses

    Vampires! Werewolves! Frankenstein’s monster! The Mummy! Edgar Allan Poe! Not to mention, Boris Karloff and Christopher Lee…

    All will be represented this morning, as I take to the airwaves for my annual show devoted to presentiments of Hallowe’en.

    Thank you again for your generosity during last week’s membership drive. We raked in a lot of dough. However, the station is still a little short of its $60,000 goal. Don’t worry, we won’t be pitching this week, beyond a reminder, perhaps, at the top of the hour, but WPRB is leaving its pledge page up through the end of the week, just in case you find you’ve got some extra cash burning a hole in your pocket or you’ve inherited some bones from a rich uncle. If that’s the case, consider acquiring some nice stickers, access to downloads, a calendar, or some sporty WPRB apparel by donating here:

    http://wprb.com/wprb-membership-drive-2016/

    Thank you for keeping WPRB… ALIIIIIIIIIIIVE.

    We’ll be holding flashlights under our chins, from 6 to 11 a.m. EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com. The bridge is out; you’ll have to spend the night, on Classic Ross Amico.

  • Spooky Halloween Music on WPRB

    Spooky Halloween Music on WPRB

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    Ross Amico
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    4 responses

    Now that you’ve pledged your support to all – or at least one – of my radio stations (and I hope you have), it’s time to sit back and enjoy some music.

    At the height of this most glorious season comes the greatest of holidays – Hallowe’en! Hallowe’en has always been my favorite. I love it so, I spell it with an apostrophe, just to extend the pleasure.

    This Thursday morning on WPRB, we’ll get a leg up on the mischief and the incipient tooth decay, with a blend of the chillies and the sillies. We’ll hear spooky works like André Caplet’s “Conte fantastique” (after Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death”), Henry Cowell’s “The Banshee,” and George Crumb’s “A Haunted Landscape,” alongside such light-hearted treats as Kurt Schwertsik’s “Dracula’s House-and-Court Music,” Frederic Curzon’s “Dance of an Ostracised Imp,” and Billy Mayerl’s “Bats in the Belfry.” In addition, Christopher Lee will give a virtuoso performance, assuming all the roles, in Igor Stravinsky’s take on the Faust legend, “The Soldier’s Tale.”

    The best preventative for having your trees draped with toilet paper is to join me tomorrow morning from 6 to 11 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM or at wprb.com. We’ll be cutting holes in our parents’ bed sheets and handing out dimes to make the kids sad, on Classic Ross Amico.

  • Spooky Classics with Karloff & Lee for Halloween

    Spooky Classics with Karloff & Lee for Halloween

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    Ross Amico
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    5 responses

    Grab a second cup of coffee and join me, if you haven’t already. It’s a morning of spooky classics, as we look ahead to Hallowe’en.

    Among our tricks and treats will be recordings of Boris Karloff and Christopher Lee, revered for their onscreen personifications of classic movie monsters. Karloff will narrate Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” – you need to tune in if only to hear how he relishes his final line, giving it a delightfully macabre spin – and Lee will prove himself a quick-change artist in his portrayal of all the characters (including the Princess!) in Igor Stravinsky’s take on the Faust legend, “The Soldier’s Tale.”

    It’s a steady diet of jack o’lanterns and candy corn until 11:00 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com.

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