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Tag: The Classical Network

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
Debussy & Classical Music Fundraiser on WWFM

Claude Debussy’s “Rondes de printemps” has kicked off the second day of our three-day fundraiser on The Classical Network.

It doesn’t matter what time of year it is. Great music has the power to transport, uplift, and, above all, enrich the quality of our lives. Thanks to dedicated and generous listeners just like you, musique de Debussy et ses amis is always in season.

Unfortunately, there is no Maginot Line to keep classical music free. Please make a donation now at 1-888-232-1212 or online at wwfm.org. A steady diet of vin rouge et musique classique has been proven to lead to longer life and plenty of l’amour. Even if it hasn’t, at least you’ll have had a good time, and with plenty of bon goût.

Hear the difference! And merci beaucoup for supporting WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

“Mais alors, le phonographe electronique est si limité à côté de WWFM!”

October 25, 2018
Hear the Difference Give to The Classical Network

Ah! So that’s the difference!

Performances from the Marlboro Music Festival. Birthday salutes to Franz Liszt and Ned Rorem. Music from Frankenstein movies. These are just some of the representative offerings you enjoyed on The Classical Network over the past week – and I am drawing only from my own shifts.

The truth is, The Classical Network has always been bigger than one person. Each of us, programmers and listeners alike, has the power to influence what kind of music is available to our community. A lot of radio stations – of the few classical radio stations that are left – feel that they have to play it safe. Whenever you tune in, you know you’re going to get Mozart or Vivaldi or Dvorak or Tchaikovsky. All great composers. But even they wrote a lot of music that never gets heard. We believe the world of music is bigger than that, and you deserve the chance to experience it.

Clearly, many of our listeners agree. We know that one of the things you really enjoy about WWFM is the variety of the selections. You’ve told us time and again that you love the mix. We’re often even told not to change a thing. Our knowledgeable hosts are in the unique position to be able to program most of their own shifts, which is highly unusual in professional radio. In fact, it makes all the difference.

Also, we are community-supported. It is because of the backing and enthusiasm of our listener-members that we are able to do what we do. The Classical Network offers many different perspectives, which keeps the listening experience fresh. The thoughtful juxtaposition of different eras, styles, themes, and personalities makes for an inimitable experience every day that you listen.

Can you hear the difference? If you are a supporter of the station, then in large part it is because of you and generous people just like you.

Today, The Classical Network begins a three-day sprint to raise funds in order to keep doing what we do best. Think about what it is that makes us stand apart, and how that enhances the quality of your life, and make a donation in whatever amount you feel you can afford. You may do so by calling us at 1-888-232-1212, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT, through Friday, or by donating at wwfm.org.

In addition, we’re curious to know what it is you appreciate most about WWFM. Let us know by sending us your thoughts. Click on the “Hear the Difference” box at the upper right corner of the screen at wwfm.org. We’d love to share your personal observations on what makes us unique and essential to your musical enjoyment. No donation is necessary in order to leave a comment, but we hope that you will support us. We couldn’t do it without dedicated listeners just like you.

Can you “Hear the Difference?” Show us by keeping us strong with your donation at 1-888-232-1212, or online at wwfm.org. Thank you, as always, for helping WWFM – The Classical Network make a difference in our community.

October 24, 2018
Villa-Lobos Zemlinsky Schoenberg on The Classical Network

Heitor Villa-Lobos’ “Bachianas Brasileiras” suites are fascinating experiments, attempts to marry the composer’s native Brazilian folk music with the forms of Johann Sebastian Bach. Arguably one of the most evocative of these, the “Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4,” will act as a bridge from today’s Noontime Concert on The Classical Network, which has featured The Dryden Ensemble in music by Bach and his contemporaries. The Villa-Lobos work will begin around 1:40 p.m. EDT.

Then, in the 2:00 hour, we’ll shift gears and enjoy the Symphony in B flat by Alexander Zemlinsky. The symphony was composed very much under the influence of Brahms and Dvořák. Some of Zemlinsky’s mature works undoubtedly achieved greater distinction, but there’s something to be said for great tunes and abundant charm. The composer also happened to be the teacher of Arnold Schoenberg and Vienna’s great musical prodigy of the day, Erich Wolfgang Korngold.

Korngold, of course, went on to become one of the great film composers. He applied the same romantic opulence that made his operas so successful to his work for the silver screen. His Piano Trio in D major, Op. 1, written at the age of 13, reveals him to be already in command of the distinctive musical language that would later serve him so well.

Schoenberg too wound up in Hollywood. He may have been the godfather of dodecaphonic music, but his neoclassical Suite for String Orchestra in G, his first piece composed in the New World, could almost be described as a charmer. This work “in the olden style” is wholly tonal and betrays the composer’s love of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Clearly, what goes around comes around, from roughly 1:40 to 4 p.m. EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

Zemlinsky and Schoenberg: Let us entertain you.

October 16, 2018
Hear the Difference Classical Music Matters

Can you hear the difference?

At The Classical Network, we’re proud to offer programming and musical selections unlike what you often hear at other stations – and our listeners have told us that makes us stand out.

As we move toward our Fall Membership Campaign, we’re asking you, our listeners, to “Hear the Difference,” and to take a moment to tell us what exactly it is that you love about WWFM, and what it is that makes us different.

Send us your thoughts by heading over to our website at wwfm.org and clicking on the “Hear the Difference” box at the top upper right corner of the screen. Type your comments into the box, then hit submit, and we’ll share them next week, as we encourage other listeners to step up and join you in support of the great – and unique – classical music programming we provide every day on The Classical Network.

And if your membership is up for renewal, please take a moment to renew your commitment by going to wwfm.org and clicking on “donate.”

As always, thank you for supporting WWFM – The Classical Network.

October 16, 2018

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