Classic Ross Amico

Tag: WPRB

Labor Day Music Salute Workers on WPRB

Construction workers seek distraction from their labors with a side trip to Coney Island – right now, we’re listening to the ballet “Skyscrapers” by John Alden Carpenter. In just a few minutes, we’ll have a piano suite celebrating blue collar Brooklyn on a Sunday afternoon, “Sunday in Brooklyn,” by Elie Siegmeister. There will be more music evocative of factory workers, longshoremen, and various other trades, as we look ahead to Labor Day, with a guest appearance by Princeton’s own Paul Robeson, who will sing “Joe Hill.”

It’s music for the working stiff this morning until 11 EDT on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com.

September 1, 2016
Leonard Bernstein Birthday Salute on WPRB

Our birthday salute to Leonard Bernstein is underway!

Featured highlights this morning will include that dark horse among great American symphonies, the “Symphony for Classical Orchestra,” by Harold Shapero (now playing), a powerhouse recording from Lenny’s later years of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7 “Leningrad,” and a concert broadcast of his debut with the New York Philharmonic, from 1943. Bernstein was a brash (and severely hungover) 25 year-old at the time. We’ll get to hear that around 8:00 this morning. Bernstein was perhaps the greatest of American conductors, but he was touched by genius in so many areas – as composer, pianist, and teacher among them. Ideally we’ll have time for representative recordings of those, as well.

I hope you’ll be on hand, from 6 to 11 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM or at wprb.com. We’ll try not to get ash on the keyboard, on Classic Ross Amico.

August 25, 2016
Bernstein’s 1943 Debut on WPRB

Don’t miss it! Playing right now: the original CBS radio broadcast of Leonard Bernstein’s legendary 1943 debut with the New York Philharmonic. We’re remembering Bernstein on his birthday until 11 a.m. EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com.

PHOTO: Bernstein in a hair-raising performance from 1946

August 25, 2016
Bernstein Conducts Rózsa Rare 1943 Broadcast

Leonard Bernstein conducts Miklós Rózsa? No way. YES, WAY!

On November 14, 1943, a 25 year-old Bernstein strode onto the podium to replace an ailing Bruno Walter – without rehearsal – for what became his New York Philharmonic debut. The rest, as they say, is history. On the program was Robert Schumann’s “Manfred Overture,” Richard Strauss’ “Don Quixote” and Miklós Rózsa’s “Theme, Variations and Finale.” The concert was broadcast nationwide. The New York Philharmonic issued the CBS transmission on CD in 1996. To my knowledge, this is the only document of Bernstein conducting Rózsa, who is best known for his film scores – especially that for “Ben-Hur,” but in 1943, Rózsa was chin-deep in his film noir phase.

You’ll be able to enjoy this historic concert broadcast and much more, as I salute Bernstein on his birthday anniversary, tomorrow morning from 6 to 11 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com. We’ll go loony for Lenny, on Classic Ross Amico.

August 24, 2016
Arctic Adventure Radio Journey

Once upon a time, a trip to the Pole required dog sleds, pack animals, and an unimaginable surplus of grit. Now all you need is a radio.

I hope you’ll join me this morning on WPRB as we armchair travel to the Arctic, subarctic, and Antarctic, with musical evocations by John Luther Adams, Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, Paul Moravec, Einar Englund, Nigel Westlake, George Lloyd, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Uuno Klami, Geirr Tveitt, and perhaps even Billy Mayerl. Our itinerary includes stops in Alaska, Lapland, Antarctica, Siberia, and the Arctic Ocean.

We strike camp at dawn. Grab a thermos and some mukluks, and tune in from 6 to 11 EDT on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com. Expect a chilly reception, on Classic Ross Amico.

August 18, 2016

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