Voice of the Arts: Recent Episodes
WQED Multimedia
Insights and anecdotes from musicians, dancers, artists, actors and directors, as well as audience response.
Members of Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh discuss with Jim Cunningham live about their upcoming concert on Friday, September 9th at 7:30pm at Rodef Shalom's Levy Hall. Guest Conductor, Dr. Matthew Wardell, and piano soloist and Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania Competition Winner, Leona Chen talked about their partnership and collaboration in Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor. Artistic Director Edward Leonard and Executive Director Andrew Swensen discuss the details of the program and their partnership with Matthew Wardell in putting together Friday's program of Mozart. Visit https://copgh.org/ to learn more and buy tickets.
Internationally recognized Harpist, Joel Von Lerber, discuss with WQED's Anna Singer about his upcoming solo-recital in Pittsburgh at the St. Stephens Anglican Church in Sewickley on September 12th at 7:30pm. Lerber and Anna discuss his interest in the harp, overtones used in the harp, and his schedule after Pittsburgh. This Pittsburgh debut recital is organized by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Harp Society. Admission is free donations accepted. Visit https://pghharpsociety.org/joel-von-lerber-concert/ for more information!
Members of Chatham Baroque, Andrew Fouts (Violin) and Scott Pauley (Theorbo), discuss with WQED's Anna Singer about their upcoming RAD Days free concert at the Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve on September 16th at 10:30am. They will be performing a preview of their 2023-2024 season's first concert, Art of the Trio, discussing the different instruments used in Baroque music, and explore the hiking trails at the Reserve. Andrew and Scott also discuss their upcoming Art of the Trio concert on October 6th to the 8th, as well as their participation in the Violins of Hope presentation in Pittsburgh in October. Visit https://www.radworkshere.org/pages/radical-days to get a complete schedule of the free RAD Days calendar. Visit https://www.chathambaroque.org/ to learn more about Chatham Baroque and get tickets to their upcoming concerts.
Founder and Director of the Center for the Civic Arts in Wilkinsburg, Jody Guy, and founder of Shana Simmons Dance (SSD) company, Shana Simmons, discuss their upcoming collaboration for the Sacred Spaces Tour, this Saturday September 9th from 10am to 8pm in collaboration with Preservation Pittsburgh. View over 6 different historic churches in the holy city with live music from each church and dance from SSD. Tours are free with a suggested donation and are within a walking distance or a short car ride from each other. Jody and Shana also discuss the Center's future in Wilkinsburg and SSD's approach to creating an improvisational dance piece. Visit https://civicarts211.wixsite.com/website-1 to learn more.
Academy String Quartet, Warren Davidson (viola), Jorie Butler-Geyer (violin), Leah Givelber (violin), and Cecilia Caughman (cello), discuss with Jim Cunningham live about their upcoming performances with the first one being this Friday September 8th at 7:30pm at the St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Scott Township. Advance tickets are $15, with door tickets $20.They performed two pieces live in the WQED studios. The first one is a Tango by Michael McLean, and the second piece at the end of the podcast is Rhosymedre prelude by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Visit https://www.facebook.com/ChamberMusicAtOldStLukes to buy tickets and learn more.
Ready to Learn Project Managers with WQED in the Education Department, Denice Pazuchanics and Michelle Imler, discuss Arts in the Park in Washington Park on September 16th from 11am to 4pm. There will be vendors, demonstrations, performances, and children activities that are all completely free! They also discuss what is going on in the Education Department now that school has started. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/201883109084093/ or WQED's Cultural Calendar for more information.
Director of Music Ministries at Aspinwall Presbyterian Church and former WQED intern, Danny English, discusses their upcoming 8th annual Worship by the Water at the Allegheny River Trail Park on September 24th at 11am. There will be featured live music from Mark Jackovic and the Jazz Influence throughout the service. Danny also discusses his new music programs at the church that feature his own compositions and community musicians, as well as his reviving of the church's singing program after the pandemic. To learn more, visit http://www.aspinwallchurch.org.
RAD Days are back again from September 8th to October 17th. Communications Manager James Santelli, and Board Chair Dan Griffin, stopped by to discuss all the performances and events RAD days have to offer. They also discuss the impact the RAD board has had on non-profits here in the Pittsburgh community. Visit www.radworkshere.org to view the RAD days schedule!
Board of Director of Britsburgh, Stephen Shandor, discusses with Jim Cunningham about the foundations upcoming Britsburgh festival running September 4th to the 10th with a special presentation by Stephen on 100 years of the BBC on September 7th. Events include a Royal Afternoon Tea at the Mansions on Fifth, as well as a behind the curtains of the Pittsburgh Savoyards production of Iolanthe. Stephen and Jim also discuss the impacts of the BBC in television, film and radio. Visit www.britsburgh.com to learn more.
CEO of Allies for Health and Wellbeing, Sean DeYoung, discusses how Allies offers testing and care for those living with HIV, Hepatitis C, and STD's, as well as LGTBQ+ and gynecological care in the Pittsburgh community. Sean also discusses their award as a 2023 WQED and Giant Eagle Community Champion. Visit https://www.alliespgh.org/ for more information about their services and volunteering.
David Allen Wehr is the Dean of the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University. He also runs the "Music On the Bluff" concert series at the school. Sunday August 27th, the concert series continues with "Chopin and Schumann on the Bluff" - 3pm at the PNC Recital Hall. David will be joined by pianist Cynthia Raim and members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. David stopped by the QED Morning Show to talk about the concert.
Former Chicago Symphony Principal Oboe, ALex Klein, joins with former Vancouver Symphony Principal Harp Rita Costanzi for a new CD named Amoroso. It features Debussy. Faure, Massenet, Piazzola, de Falla,Rachmaninoff, Rodrigo and Michael Cohen with Michael Amorosi. It's an hour plus of contemplative music that seems right for the post pandemic, war torn, politically charged world of today. Rita explains how it happened and what she and Alex have done in South America to bring the harp to the continent starting in Brazil. In addition, Rita has a long time connection to Pittsburgh Symphony Principal Harp Gretchen van Hoesen through their work as young musicians at the Eastman School and she know Pittsburgh's Duquesne University professor Charles Stegeman having worked together a lot at the Sunflower Music Festival. In this conversation with Jim Cunningham she talks about the new Navona CD and her hopes for a better world."
The co-artistic director's of Squonk, Jackie Dempsey and Steve O'Hearn, discusses the Pittsburgh based outdoor theater group's next spectacular show, Brouhaha. This show features an enormous musical instrument with huge playable bellows and towering tubas that ends with a 30-foot tall head complete with blinking eyes and smoke pouring out of it's ears. Interactive and fun for the whole family, Jackie and Steve dive deep into how they created this spectacle, and how years of a friendship continue to create playful art for all. See the premiere of Brouhaha on September 3rd and 4th at The Kickoff and Rib Festival at Acrisure Stadium. Visit squonk.org/brouhaha for more information.
Akemi May is the Associate Curator of Works on Paper at Carnegie Museum of Art. She spoke with Jim Cunningham and gave an overview of "Imprinting in Their Time: Japanese Printmakers, 1912–2022."
DJ HUNY XO played a set from 6-7 p.m during the Inside Out Summer Exhibition Celebration. She introduce her set and encouraged listeners to join her at the museum.
Rachel Delphia is the Alan G. and Jane A. Lehman Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at Carnegie Museum of Art. She spoke with Jim Cunningham to give an overview of "What Brings Us Here?"
Jazz Drumming Legend Roger Humphries stopped by to chat with Jim Cunningham before his set during the Inside Out Summer Exhibition Celebration.
Dana Bishop-Root, Director of Education and Public Programs at Carnegie Museum of Art, welcomes us to the live broadcast and talks about the Inside Out Summer Exhibition Celebration.
Jim Cunningham spoke with Cynthia Stucki, who is the Curatorial Assistant for Contemporary Art and Photography. She gave an overview of "Joan Brown."
Brie Dominique is composer and performer who showcased a special performance as part of the Summer Exhibition Celebration.
A historic organ concert features the restored 1895 "Farrand & Votey pipe organ at the landmark Calvary United Methodist Church in Allegheny West. Brian Burns and David Bridge will perform favorites from classical to contemporary, including Bach and Pachebel. There will be a free-will offering at intermission to help support the Calvary Choir on their journey to perform the Messiah at Carnegie Hall in New York City this November over Thanksgiving weekend. For more information, please visit: https://calvarypgh.com/music/carnegie-hall.php
Chairman of the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival, Ronald Carnevali, discussed the upcoming music festival which runs next weekend, August 4th and 5th, in this Voice of the Arts podcast. Discover the all-star line up for this year's festival including headliners Los Lobos and Keller Williams' Grateful Grass featuring The Hillbenders with smaller groups such as Johnstown based The Evergreens and The Platelets. Two nights of Americana music with some of the best bands. Visit www.floodcitymusic.com to learn more and see ticket prices.
An interview with Tammy Thompson, Executive Director of Catapult Greater Pittsburgh, a non-profit organization committed to eradicating generational and trauma built poverty in the Pittsburgh area through wealth building, and emergency resources. Tammy is a 2023 Giant Eagle Community Champion.
WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Artistic Director of Quantum Theatre, Karla Boos. They talk about Quantum's upcoming performance of Hamlet at the Carrie Blast Furnace from August 4th-27th. They will have a special matinee of the performance on the 23rd at 11am.
Hill Dance Academy Theatre Founder and Director Dr. Ayisha Morgan-Lee, and Director of Operations, Jennifer Phillips, discuss what the Hill Dance Academy does as a non-profit based in the Hill District, their new 29,000 square foot facility acquired in 2021, and the community events happening throughout the year. Their open house is on Saturday August 5th, and features a performance by their summer dance intensive class and opens up registration for their fall classes as well.
Communications Specialist, Ronnell Hunt from the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, talks about how the food bank meets peoples needs across 11 counties in the area, the changes the pandemic brought to the organization, and their award as a Community Champion from Giant Eagle and WQED. We also discussed the new opening of their Marketplace in Duquesne last year.
The North Pittsburgh Symphonic Band is this week's performer at the City of Pittsburgh Office of Special Events Bach, Beethoven and Brunch - Sunday July 23rd, 10:30am at Mellon Park. Their Music Director, Tad Greig, stopped by to chat about the band, how much they enjoy playing at BBB, what they'll play and more.
Carnegie Museum of Art presents their "Inside Out: Summer Exhibition Celebration" on Thursday July 20th featuring free museum admission;, a party inside and outside the museum honoring the season’s exhibition; and featured artists with music, performances, community, and conversation! Plus, WQED-FM will broadcast from the event. CMOA's Katie DelVerne stopped by to talk with Anna Singer about the event.
The Allegheny Brass Band is scheduled to play at this week's Bach, Beethoven and Brunch concert on Sunday July 16th from 10:30am to noon at Mellon Park. The Bands President and Euphonium player, Art Craft, talked about the band's history, performing at Bach, Beethoven and Brunch in the past, and what you can expect to hear on this Sunday's program.
Duo Pragma is the husband and wife team of violinist Andrew Giordano and pianist Nathália Kato. They will be joined by oboist Lenny Young for a recital on Friday July 7th, 7pm at Third Presbyterian Church. On the program, music by Edvard Grieg, Joseph Bologne, Ethel Smyth, and José White. They stopped by the studio to play some music live, as well as chat with WQED-FM's Anna Singer about the program.
Band of Brother's Shakespeare Company in Johnstown presents "As You Like It" at the Powell Stackhouse Park Pavilion in Johnstown July 11th-15th and 19th-22nd all at 7pm. Miranda Reynolds plays Rosalind, and Kieran Cullen plays Orlando.
Jim Cunningham interviewed Violinist and Musical Director of the Mexico City Philharmonic, Scott Yoo. They talked about PBS Great Performance Series "Now Hear This," which is hosted by Scott Yoo. They discussed Schumann's mental health, Andy Akiho's episode in the 4th season, and some information on the development of the 5th season, which will include an episode about child prodigies. It is streaming on PBS's passport, and Amazon Prime and Hulu.
The Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra has been on tour in Portugal and were scheduled to play their final concert of the tour tonight. Before the concert, WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with PYSO Executive Director William Powers, Music Director Jacob Joyce, and violinist Sadie Navid. They each talked about the tour, the experience and the audience reactions.
The C Street Brass stopped by the QED Morning Show to talk about their Band Pop up Concert on Sunday, July 9th at 4pm at Club Cafe with Cello Fury. They also briefly discussed other possible concerts of C Street during the summer in Schenley and Point Park, and played two pieces live in our studio.
The Bach, Beethoven and Brunch concert series continues this Sunday (July 2nd) with Klezlectic. Janice Coppola, clarinet, and Roger Day, tuba, stopped by WQED-FM to talk about what audience members can expect in this conversation with Anna Singer.
WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Pittsburgh CLO Executive Producer Mark Fleischer, and Pittsburgh CLO Music Director James Cunningham, about their upcoming season, which features "Into the Woods," "The Sound of Music," "Once on This Island," "Guys and Dolls," and "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812."
The Negro Motorist Green Book exhibition at the Senator John Heinz History Center offers an immersive look at the reality of travel for African Americans in mid-century America and how the annual guide served as an indispensable resource for the nation’s rising Black middle class. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke to the History Center's Director of African American Program Samuel Black about the exhibit.
This Summer, Carnegie Museum of Art is once again presenting "Inside Out" in the Sculpture Court - a free event series celebrating Pittsburgh’s rich cultural landscape with performances, workshops and gatherings, DJs, art activities, food trucks, and local drinks. On Thursday nights from 5 to 9 p.m., a lineup of some of the city’s most dynamic DJs transforms the outdoor space into a can’t-miss happy hour destination for friends and dancing during the week. On Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m., enjoy performances from regional arts organizations and performers, soak in summer sounds from bands and DJs, grab a bite from local food trucks, and get creative with artists and art-making.
This Saturday, June 24th, the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh will be performing in the Sculpture Court. The Orchestra's Artistic Director Edward Leonard and Carnegie Museum of Art's Director of Education and Public Programs Dana Bishop-Root spoke with WQED-FM's Anna Singer about this weekend's concert and the "Inside Out" series in general.
The 2023 Bach, Beethoven and Brunch concert season begins this Sunday, June 25th, 10:30-noon at Mellon Park. The Munhall Community Band will kick off the season and will be making it's BBB debut. Christine Morgan stopped by to talk about the band and what you can expect at this weekends concert.
PSO Principal Pops Conductor Byron Stripling's Keynote speech from the League of American Orchestra's 2023 Conference in Pittsburgh. The speech took place on June 16, 2023.
The Gold Baton Award Presentation from the League of American Orchestras Conference on Thursday June 15, 2023. League CEO, Simon Woods, introduces Jamie Bernstein (Leonard Bernstein's daughter), who gives the award to Deborah Borda, and then Jamie and Deborah sit down for an intimate interview about Deborah. They talk about the challenges of the pandemic with the New York Philharmonic, which Deborah is President of currently. They also talked about her move to LA and her work with the LA Philharmonic.
The Young People's Panel moderated by Jessica Satava (Executive Director of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra). The four members on the panel include, Kristian Vasquez, Operations Manager of the Mid-Texas Symphony; Alexis Nguyen, recent Southern Methodist University MA/MBA graduate; Lauren Zwonik, Graduate Assistant and Director of Education at the LA Philharmonic; Diego Barbosa-Vasquez, conductor. The panel talked about the present challenges with symphonies and classical music, as well as the future of the industry.
The League of American Orchestras is holding it's annual conference in Pittsburgh. The conference opened on Wednesday June 14th. WQED-FM's Anna Singer had a chance to talk with League of American Orchestras President and CEO Simon Woods.
The League of American Orchestras is holding it's annual conference in Pittsburgh. The conference opened on Wednesday June 14th with performances by the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras and a keynote by National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson. WQED-FM's Anna Singer had a chance to talk with Dr. Jackson.
Richard St John talks about his two upcoming poetry readings. The first one is with the Squirrel Hill Poetry Workshop on Saturday June 17th at 2pm at the CC Meller Library in Edgewood. The second is on Tuesday, June 20th with the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh in "A Celebration of Life and Caregiving in Poetry and Conversation". He also read 3 poems from his newest collection, Book of Entangled Souls.
MCG Jazz Director, Renee Govanucci, and the Executive Producer and Vice President, Marty Ashby discuss their upcoming 37th season, with Eliane Elias performing their season opener on September 30th. They also talk about their 36th season, which is closing in July.
Orlando Watson is the Senior Director of Programming of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. The Center has several programming options in June, which Orlando talks about. He also talks a little bit about the PGH Jazz Festival happening in September.
Organist Dr. Ann Labounsky and Director of Music Brian Gurley discus the St. Paul Cathedral's Organ Concert series that starts this Sunday, June 11th at 4pm. Ann will be playing Francois Couperin's Mass for the Convents, some Bach, and some repertoire from her mentor, Jean L'anglais.
The Incidental Chamber Players will collaborate with the incomparable Zuly Inirio (soprano)- performing a variety of works, from operatic arias to a new commission piece. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Kika Wright and Zuly Inirio about the concert taking place Monday June 12th at Church of the Redeemer.
Kelly Strayhorn Theater's Executive Director, Joseph Hall, talked about the theater's new strategic plan launched in November called "Owning Our Future: Thriving Where We Live" and its four pillars. He also talked about upcoming events in the summer, like their Alloy School and House Party, as well as his journey to KST and a bit about his background.
The Pittsburgh Concert Society has their Alumni Concert on Sunday June 4th, 2pm at Kresge Hall on the CMU Campus. The concert features Janet Sung, violin with Dimitri Papadimitriou, piano, as well as pianist Bruce Murray. Janet stopped by the QED Morning Show with Anna Singer to talk about the concert.
This Saturday, June 3rd, the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh has it's season finale concert at Rodef Shalom. Edward Leonard conducts Strauss' Metamorphosen, along with the Mendelssohn Double Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Orchestra featuring Maureen Conlon Gutierrez, violin and Rodrigo Ojeda, piano. Rodrigo, Edward and Executive Director Andrew Swenson, stopped by to chat about the concert.
Jacob Joyce and Brian Worsdale talk about the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Three Rivers Young People's Orchestra's upcoming performance at the League of American Orchestras national conference on June 14th. The conference is hosted by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall from June 14th-16th. They also discussed Arturo Marquez, and Jacob's busy schedule in the summer that will take him around the world.
Anna Singer spoke with composer Bryan Field about his early education with music, his mentors and early compositions, and then his newest works which are Three Passions for our Tortured Planet, (all proceeds from this one go to charities to help fight against climate change) and Bryan Field- Vocal Works (which features a social justice song).
On April 4, 2023, WQED-FM continued to celebrate it's 50th Anniversary with a live broadcast from Point Park University. Jim Cunningham spoke with Andrew Bensch, WWPJ general manager at Point Park's radio station.
On April 4, 2023, WQED-FM continued to celebrate it's 50th Anniversary with a live broadcast from Point Park University. Jim Cunningham spoke with Amanda Fischer, the interim Executive Director at Pittsburgh Chamber Music, who uses the performance space at Point Park for their concerts.
On April 4, 2023, WQED-FM continued to celebrate it's 50th Anniversary with a live broadcast from Point Park University. Jim Cunningham spoke with Kim Martin and Mariah Peoples from Point Park's Performing Arts school, about upcoming events at their concert hall.
Resonance Works presents Verdi's "MacBeth" Thursday May 18th and Saturday May 20th at the Charity Randall Theatre. Artistic and General Director Maria Sensi Sellner and some cast members stopped by WQED-FM to talk to Anna Singer about the production.
Pianist Henry Spinelli, Professor Emeritus of Music at Chatham University and former Q Award winner.
Lance LaDuke, Carnegie Mellon University Associate Teaching Professor in Euphonium & Music Business; School of Music Freshman Advisor; and Coordinator of Special and Creative Projects.
Chatham Baroque members Andrew Fouts, violin; Patricia Halverson, viola de gamba; and Scott Pauley, theorbo.
Windfluence, featuring Peggy Greg, flute; Amelia van Howe, oboe; Kira Bokalders, clarinet; Steve Ehrin, bassoon; Deborah Jenness, horn.
The Ghost Trio, featuring Therese West, Juan Guillermo Vasquez Aceero, and Haley Rasmussen.
Sara Botkin, of Botkin Family Wealth Management, local musician and frequent helper during WQED-FM on air fundraising drives.
Reverend Vance Torbert - long time WQED-FM listener and member of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh Board.
Doug Starr is retiring from St. Paul's Episcopal Church after 30 years as Music Director. On May 19th, the premier of Doug Starr's "A Wilderness Cantata" will take place at the church. The piece will be conducted by Brian Gilling and feature soprano Kay Williams, mezzo soprano Eva Rainforth, tenor Rich Williams and the Chancel Choir of St. Paul's.
Pittsburgh Opera presents "We Shall Not Be Moved" with music by Daniel Bernard Roumain, or DBR. He stopped by the QED Morning Show with Anna Singer to talk about the opera.
WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke to some members of the Kassia Ensemble, who present a concert titled "To Kassia, with Love" at Shadyside Presbyterian Church on Saturday May 13th at 3pm. The Kassia Ensemble presents a concert of music written by five vibrant and living women composers. The program includes three commissions dedicated to this group of dynamic musicians by celebrated composers Judith Shatin, Osnat Netzer, and Pittsburgh’s own Nancy Galbraith.
Pittsburgh Opera presents "We Shall Not Be Moved" from May 13-21st. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke to John Holiday, who sings the role of John Blue.
Pittsburgh Opera presents "We Shall Not Be Moved" from May 13-21st. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke to Viswa Subbaraman, the opera's Conductor.
Pittsburgh Opera presents "We Shall Not Be Moved" from May 13-21st. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke to the opera's Director, Bill T. Jones.
Pittsburgh Opera presents "We Shall Not Be Moved" from May 13-21st. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke to Kirstin Chávez, who sings the role of Glenda.
Pittsburgh Opera presents "Denis & Katya" through May 14th. WQED-FM's Anna Singer interviews Glenn Lewis, Pittsburgh Opera's Head of Music.
Pittsburgh Opera presents "Denis & Katya" through May 14th. WQED-FM's Anna Singer interviews the opera's Stage Director Haley Stamats.
Pittsburgh Opera presents "Denis & Katya" through May 14th. WQED-FM's Anna Singer interviews Brandon Bell, baritone.
Pittsburgh Opera presents "Denis & Katya" through May 14th. WQED-FM's Anna Singer interviews Jazmine Olwalia, mezzo-soprano.
Crisis Center North presents their "Cocktails and Cuisine" on Friday May 12 at The Woodlands in Bradford Woods. This foodie event allows participants to partake in acclaimed dishes and desserts from the region’s top chefs while tasting top wines and brews. Plus, there will be a concert featuring singer Lisa Bleil. Lisa and Crisis Center North President and CEO Grace Coleman spoke with Anna Singer about the event.
An interview with violinist Dr. Solomiya Ivakhiv, principal e flat clarinetist of the PSO Victoria Luperi, and Cheryl Redmond (the event organizer with Sewickley Church). They talk about their upcoming Benefit Concert for Ukraine that is this Saturday, May 6th at 5:30pm at the Sewickley United Methodist Church. Donations will go towards Nova Ukraine which is a non-profit helping bring in humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
Composer Michael Markowski joins tenor Timothy Stoddard to discuss their new release Tarot which features Markowski's "Mortally Wounded." Pianist Ellen fast accompanies Timothy on the recording just out from Navona Records. Composers Alaina Ferris, Michael Lanci, and Mary Prescott join Markowski in creating new vocal compositions all touching on the vast mysteries of the great unknown wherever it overlaps the human condition---be it in love, death or in the occult.
Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra Music Director Brian Worsdale joins composer Michael Markowski to discuss their work together including the pandemic collaboration "City Trees," which has can be seen on Youtube and has been extremely popular around the music world. The details of the spring concert "Music of the Americas" at Carnegie Music Hall on May 7th are discussed with Jim Cunningham in a two concert presentation starting at 1:15pm at Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh with the Orchestra and Wind Symphony - and at 5:15pm with the Symphonette and Tutti Strings in a Free program including Piazzola, Mendelssohn, Markowski, Gershwin, and special guest appearance by Dr. Jason Kush saxophone for "Oblivion" by Astor Piazzola. The upcoming tour for Trypo, and performance in June at the Symphony Orchestra League meeting taking place in Pittsburgh are also part of the conversation which ends with a general discussion of the health of the youth orchestra scene and the post pandemic classical music world.
Pittsburgh Opera presents "Denis & Katya" at The Bitz Opera Factory (Pittsburgh Opera's headquarters) May 6th through the 14th. Composer Philip Venables stopped by WQED-FM to talk about the opera.
Johnstown Symphony Orchestra's Musical Director, James Blachly discusses the season finale of the symphony's 94th season. The Symphony performs Brahms' Requiem with a 116-member choir from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown choirs, and features baritone Tyler Duncan from the MET Opera. Also featured is a new commissioned piece by Tommy Dougherty featuring the sounds of Johnstown sent in by residents and soloist soprano Sarah Brailey sings Barber's Knoxville. Maestro James Blachly also discusses his recent recording with Sarah of Richard Strauss and Caroline Shaw, viewable at https://trinitywallstreet.org/events/2023-01-27. The Songs of Comfort concert is Saturday, May 6th at 7:30pm at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center in Johnstown. Tickets available at johnstownsymphony.org.
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with Art DeMeo, Senior Director of Community Greenspace Projects with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The Conservancy currently facilitates planting and caring of 130 flower gardens in 20 counties throughout western PA. Ninety-one of those flower gardens are in Allegheny County.
Remake Learning Days is a festival of events hosted by a variety of organizations, such as schools, museums, libraries, after school organizations, early child care centers, parks, universities, media centers, tech startups and more. These events are designed to be hands-on, relevant and engaging educational experiences for youth of all ages (pre-K through high school) and their families, caregivers and educators. The majority of events are free and open to kids of all ages. Remake Learning Days Co-Producer and Communications Director Yu-Ling Cheng talks about this year's activities, which run from May 4th through 23rd.
Alan Morrison plays a recital at East Liberty Presbyterian Church on Sunday April 30th at 3pm. The concert is part of the Organ Artist Series of Pittsburgh. Alan and ELPC Music Director Edward Alan Moore stopped by the QED Morning Show to talk about this Sunday's concert; his mom playing with Joanne Rogers as the Morrison-Rogers Piano duet; appearing on an episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and more.
"Sanctuary" is a performance for voice, guitar and lute that features five centuries of music from Spain and Argentina, intersecting the music selections with sonnets by Mexican Nun Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. This concert is presented by mezzo-soprano Raquel Winnica Young, lute and guitar player Dieter Hennings-Yeomans and actress Daina Griffith. The concert takes place at Third Presbyterian Church in Shadyside on Sunday April 30th at 2:30pm. Lenny and Raquel Winnica Young stopped by the QED Morning Show to talk about the concert.
This weekend, Resonance Works presents Bach's B Minor Mass. Conductor and Artistic Director Maria Sensi Sellner joined WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham on the QED Morning Show to talk about the performances, the soloists and more. The concerts are Friday April 28th at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church; Saturday April 29th at Coraopolis United Methodist Church; and Sunday April 30th at Heinz Memorial Chapel.
Skylar Bunk, Music Director of the South Hills Chorale, joins Jim Cunningham and South Hills Executive Director Rick Smith to discuss "And So We Sing" at Christ United Methodist Church - 44 Highland Road in Bethel Park - Friday May 12th at 7pm and Saturday May 13th at 2pm. Skylar has taken over the leadership of the singers from Phil Aley after a decade in place. Skylar is also the Director of Music Ministry at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Scott Township and he teaches at Point Park University. Skylar graduated with a Maters degree from Duquesne University where he worked with Christine Jordanoff and Ken Burky among several distinguished faculty.
Abby Goldstein, long time manager of WYEP in Pittsburgh, is now President and Executive Director of the Public Radio Program Directors Association. She takes a look at the current state of public radio as it faces the bewildering choices of audio available to listeners at home and in the car from podcasts, Apple streaming, Spotify, Pandora and many others. What will AI derived disc jockeys sound like and many more questions are explored in this conversation with Jim Cunningham where she also reveals her enthusiastic listening to the classics.
Charles Rosen said it was Beethoven’s most humiliating premiere ever and Johann Nepomuk Hummel laughed when he heard it telling Ludwig van Beethoven “There you go again.” But Beethoven’s Mass in C is one of his best even though it has been overshadowed by the Missa Solemni. Daniel Meyer conducts the Westmoreland Symphony with soloists from the Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists and Westmoreland Chamber Choir Saturday April 22 at 7:30 in the Palace Theater Greensburg. Maestro Meyer has the details on the event for Jim Cunningham.
Chatham Baroque presents the Joy of Bach with the Double Concerto and Concerto for Oboe and violin plus the Cantata BWV 170 in honor of Bach Scholar and University of Pittsburgh Professor Don O Franklin at the Emily Norman Davidson Memorial Concert April 22 2023 at 7:30 and April 23 at 2:30 Calvary Episcopal Church. Special guests include Kristen Dubenion Smith Mezzo, Kathryn Montoya baroque oboe, violinists Alice Culin-Ellison, Emily Eng and Chiara Stauffer, Paul Miller, viola, J Tracy Mortimore, bass and Justin Wallace organ and harpsichord. Violinist Andrew Fouts joined violinist and violist Emily Eng to speak with Jim Cunningham about the event.
Mark Holloway, violist of the Pacifica Quartet, talks with Jim Cunningham about the American Stories concert from Chamber Music Pittsburgh the group will play at the Pittsburgh Playhouse of Point Park University on April 24th at 7:30. The Principal Clarinet of the New York Philharmonic, Anthony McGill, will join the ensemble to play the James Lee III Clarinet Quintet along with Florence Price First Quartet, Valerie Coleman's Shotgun Houses and the Dvorak American Quartet. Mark explains the special qualities of the Pacifica which has won two Grammy Awards. Speaking from his office at the Jacobs School of Music of Indiana University, Mark discusses his love of the viola and the instrument he plays.
The Music Director of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra talks with Jim Cunningham about the Beethoven Ninth Symphony to be performed at the Passavant Center Thiel College April 15 at 7:30pm. Michael talks about his time as a cellist in the Cleveland Orchestra with Lorin Maazel and his work with Erich Kunzel in Cincinnati.
Friends of Mellon Park will celebrate Arbor Day on April 29th from 11-2pm at Mellon Park for a big celebration. It will be the third celebration of Pittsburgh’s first Arboretum after the City of Pittsburgh declared it in 2021. Jim Cunningham sat down with Board President, Elizabeth Seamans, and Board Chair, Margy Whitmer to talk about the highlights of the celebration. They also both reminisce about working on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood as Mrs. McFeely, and as Assistant Director.
Pittsburgh Opera presents Verdi's "Il Trovatore" at the Benedum Center March 25th through April 2nd. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Pittsburgh Opera Music Director Antony Walker.
Pittsburgh Opera presents Verdi's "Il Trovatore" at the Benedum Center March 25th through April 2nd. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Marianne Cornetti, who sings the role of Azucena.
Pittsburgh Opera presents Verdi's "Il Trovatore" at the Benedum Center March 25th through April 2nd. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with the opera's Stage Director, Daniel Rigazzi.
Pittsburgh Opera presents Verdi's "Il Trovatore" at the Benedum Center March 25th through April 2nd. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Alexandra Loutsion, who sings the role of Leonora.
Viktor Ullman’s opera "Der Kaiser von Atlantis" was written while he was incarcerated at Theresienstadt during WWII but never performed because the Nazis caught on to his satire of Hitler in the plot. Ullmann died at Auschwitz, but his opera has been increasingly popular with three commercial recordings and multiple performances around the world including March 30th through April 2nd at CMU Opera. Conductor Sara Tarana Jobin and Director Karina Aviva Benjamin joined Jim Cunningham to discuss the opera which takes place in the Fred Rogers studio at WQED. Here are the details from CMU: Der Kaiser von AtlantisViktor Ullmann, composerPeter Kien, librettoTarana Jobin, conductorKarina Aviva Benjamin, directorShowtimes:Thursday, March 30, 2023 | 8:00 PMFriday, March 31, 2023 | 8:00 PMSaturday, April 1, 2023 | 8:00 PMSunday, April 2, 2023 | 2:00 PMDer Kaiser Von Atlantis was the only surviving opera written in any of the camps during the Holocaust. It was a collaboration of two Jewish artists (writer and composer) who were acutely aware of the horrific genocide against the Jewish people, including themselves. They wrote this as a processing of this unimaginable moment, being faced with their own mortality and gaslit as to their own classification as human beings. We as contemporary audiences bear witness to the almost necessary comedic flairs that accompany utter despair in this hauntingly beautiful grasping of the meaning of life.Cost:$10 Regular Admission$5 Senior Citizen (65+) AdmissionAll students, along with CMU/Pitt faculty and staff, are free w/ valid ID.
Mindful Museum is an extensive suite of accessible programs and activities for visitors 55 and over that expand the museum as a destination that nurtures the mind, body, and soul. Mindful Museum participants are invited to enjoy 31 weeks of Wednesday morning programming that includes art paths and meditation stops throughout the museum, drawing, art-making, chair yoga, art history classes, social gatherings, guided tours, exclusive digital content offerings, and more. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with CMOA's Lucy Stewart, Associate Curator of Education, about the program.
The Butler County Symphony Orchestra presents "The Golden Age of Hollywood" at the Butler Intermediate High School April 8th 2023 with Music Director Matthew Kraemer who has recently been named the Music Director of the Louisiana Philharmonic. The program includes scores from film classics by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Max Steiner, Franz Waxman and Miklos Rosza, plus Henry Mancini's Moon River. Matthew Kraemer runs down the delights of the concert and fills us in on his plans for New Orleans in this conversation with Jim Cunningham.
The Beo String Quartet is Sean Neukom, Jason Neukom, Ryan Ash, and Andrew "Gio" Giordano. They will be performing two pop-up concerts next week. One is March 30th at 6:30pm at the Bantha Tea house in Bloomfield, and the other is on March 31st at 7:30pm at the Bellevue Presbyterian Church. They will be playing a performance version of Bach's Art of the Fugue.
Kyle Haden is the director of "The Devil is a Lie" at Quantum Theatre. Their show runs April 7th-30th. "The devil is a Lie" is written by California artist Jennifer Chang and will be produced at the Frick Building downtown.
The Three Rivers Community Band Festival was begun in order to highlight the community bands in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. The first festival, sponsored by the East Winds Symphonic Band, was presented on April 4, 2004 at the Upper St. Clair Theater.This year's festival takes place Saturday March 25th at Franklin Region High School at 2pm. Festival Founder and Director Roger Schneider, East Winds Symphonic Band conductor Susan Sands, and Nanette Mancuso talk about this year's festival.
Award Winning WQED Producer Beth Dolinar returns to the microphone and talks with Jim Cunningham about her new documentary “Alone: Isolation Hurts” that premiered on WQED-TV in February. This 30-minute documentary explores mental health and the toll social isolation can have on anyone. The COVID Pandemic increased the number of people experiencing social isolation, creating an alarming spike in teenage mental health issues. This month, Beth is taking her profound documentary to Greensburg, Wednesday March 29th at 7pm on the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg campus in their Mary Lou Campana Chapel and Lecture Center. A panel Q&A will follow the screening moderated by Beth Dolinar. Beth also discusses new projects coming down the pipeline, including one for the Carnegie International, and her most recent topics in the column she writes for the Washington Observer.
Director Jolanta Lion; Executive Assistant Sowang Kundeling; Treasurer Isaac Fisher; PR Coordinator Miri Leaderman-Bray, and Programming Intern Regis Curtis talk about the CMU International Film Festival taking place March 16th - April 2nd.
The Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh presents Stories to Tell with Daina Griffith as the Narrator and director in Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale plus Amy Williams Telephone and Milhaud’s Creation of the World. Edward Leonard and Daina joined Jim Cunningham and Executive Director Andrew Swenson to introduce the concert at levy Hall Rodef Shalom Temple Saturday March 11 at 7:30.
The much loved Italian singer Patrizio Buanne returns to Pittsburgh March 17th at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall for a concert and dinner to raise funds for the La Scuola d’Italia Galileo Galilei hosting Two Fundraiser Events to support the opening of its Elementary & Middle School & Italian-American Community Center. The First Event from 4:00pm to 7:00pm is a Cocktail Hour and Formal Gala Dinner at the Soldiers and Sailors Hall Ballroom. The Second Event from 7:30pm to 10:00pm is Patrizio Buanne in Concert at the Soldiers and Sailors Hall Auditorium followed by Autographs of CDs and merchandise.Patrizio speaks with Jim Cunningham from Naples where he is recording a new album discussing his early years in the musical city of Vienna and his admiration for Mario Lanza and Frank Sinatra even though he has followed his own path in the world of the romantic crooning tradition. The importance of language and learning Italian are very close to Patrizio since he speaks six languages. He promises he will be doing all the hits with a tight band as backup and hopes fans will stretch their budget to support the amazing work of the school lead by Executive Director Angela Hertz, the granddaughter of Eugene Jeep Depaquale. The former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale will be at the event which also honors Christina Mele - the Consul General from Philadelphia, Jack Mascaro, Salvatore Merante, Dennis Astorino and Giuseppe Joe D’Andrea.Angela Hertz said the school is named for Galileo because he was a scientist, who changed the way we think about the world, and yet he was almost condemned for his discoveries at the time. We want to create a world of independent learners and critical thinkers just like Galileo Galilei. The children learn Italian and English and do third and 4th languages introducing the children to other languages such as Spanish, French, Mandarin, depending on parent requests, and children enrollment.
Pianist Nanette Kaplan Solomon joins violinist Roy Sonne to invite you to a free concert program of the 4 B’s. Beyond Bach Beethoven and Brahms Nanette has programmed Victoria Bond the former Exxon Arts Endowment Conductor who worked with Andre Previn and the Pittsburgh Symphony plus served as Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony. Nanette and Roy speak with Jim Cunningham and play William Bolcom’s Graceful Ghost in the studio just for you at 4802 Fifth Avenue. As Nanette wrote about the concert: While we all know and love music by the "three B's" (Bach, Beethoven and Brahms), please join us on Tuesday, March 14 at 1 PM in Levy Hall of Congregation Rodef Shalom, as we present works by four lesser known B's. The program, entitled "Another Four B's" will feature selections from Max Bruch 's Eight Pieces for clarinet, viola, and piano in an arrangement for violin, clarinet, and piano, Victoria Bond's Bridges for violin, clarinet and piano, William Bolcom;s Graceful Ghost Rag for violin and piano, and Amy Beach's magnificent piano quintet. Performers include Roy Sonne, violin, Laura Motchalov, violin, Janice Coppola, clarinet, Rachel McGuire, viola, Robin Hasenplug, cello, and Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano. For those not able to attend in person, the program, will, as usual, be livestreamed, and then archived on TMC's YouTube channel.
Concertmistress of the Johnstown Symphony, Maureen Conlon Gutierrez, plays the Jean Sibelius Concerto March 11th, 7:30 with James Blachley conducting at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center. She talks with Jim Cunningham about the music, her story and events in Johnstown with a complete rundown of great Mexican cuisine in Pittsburgh having grown up in Mexico before heading to Penn State and CMU to work with Andres Cardenas.
Alia Musica's Federico Garcia-De Castro talks about their concert this Sunday (March 5th) at James Laughlin Hall at Chatham University. The program is an homage to the late composer, Fred Rzewski. The program has two pieces, one at 6 and one at 7:30, with a single ticket an entry for both. It will pianist feature Emanuel Arcini and percussionist Allen Otte in Fred's most famous works.
Warren Davidson discusses his upcoming concert playing viola with the Academy String Quartet , He introduces examples of the pieces on the playing recorded recently in this conversation with Jim Cunningham. Academy Concerts - Academy String Quartet Deep Roots is happening on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 04:00PM EDT at Allegheny UU Church with tickets starting at $15.0Academy Concerts - Academy String Quartet "Deep Roots"In the intimate, friendly space of historic Allegheny Church, great music deeply rooted in the soul and the people.The 8th quartet of Dmitri Shostakovich is one of the most important works of the 20th century. It is a spiritual journey, a soulful exploration of the tragedy of World War II, of our response to evil. Shostakovich puts himself at the center of the problem by building the entire work around the series of notes D, E flat, C, B - which in German is D Es C H: D for Dmitri, SCH for Shostakovich. The 8th quartet pays tribute to the suffering of European Jews in its use of traditional Jewish melodies.Adolphus Hailstork writes many pieces out of the African-American experience. His one-movement work for string quartet, Variations on Swing, Low, Sweet Chariot, treats the spiritual tune in a variety of surprising ways.Lighter, happier emotions will be expressed when bassist Gino Faraci joins the Academy Quartet for arrangements by founding member Warren Davidson of songs and dances from Croatia, Serbian songs from Kosovo, and tango tunes. Dr. Davidson has spent many years performing and teaching music from Slavic nations and in recent years has been a devotee of Argentine tango. Dancers welcome!The Academy Quartet, active since 2006, is violinists Jorie Butler-Geyer and Leah Givelber, violist Warren Davidson, and cellist Robin Hasenpflug.
The 2023 Pittsburgh Double Bass Symposium takes place Sunday March 5th at Carnegie Mellon University. Tania Grubbs, Peter Guild, Jeff Grubbs, John Moore, and Micah Howard stopped by to talk about the Symposium with Jim Cunningham.
Pianist Evren Ozel makes his Pittsburgh debut for The Steinway Society of Western Pa Sunday February 26 at 2:30. Evren spoke about the program of Ligwti, Rameau, Schumann, Bartok and Debussy with Jim Cunningham. He has enjoyed success at the Warsaw Chopin Competition and in the US and several other competitions after his early playing in Minneapolis and his work with Mitsuko Uchida and his pursuit of a Masters degree at New England Conservatory.
Michele de la Reza, Co Founder of Attack Theater, joins Jim Cunningham and Kristen Linfante, Executive Director of Chamber Music Pittsburgh, to discuss "Behind Ourself Concealed" - a dynamic collaboration bringing together internationally acclaimed musicians with contemporary dance creating an enticing tapestry of movement and musical narratives. Friday through Sunday, February 24th through 26th at Attack Theatre Studios in Lawrenceville. The performance features acclaimed cellist Dave Eggar, award-winning jazz violinist Meg Okura, powerhouse clarinetist Tasha Warren-Yahuda, Tino Cardenes on keyboard for Friday and Saturday, and on Friday and Saturday night there will be a special appearance by musical legend Paquito D’Rivera.The production is inspired by the recently commissioned works by composers D’Rivera, Okura, Nathalie Joachim, Cornelius Boots, Pascal LeBeouf, and Martha Redbone. The concert is presented in partnership with Chamber Music Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh Performs series. Two of the works on the program by Paquito D’Rivera and Pascal LeBoeuf were each nominated for a 2023 Best Instrumental Composition Grammy award, a rare honor for one chamber album.
Pianist Helene Grimaud joins the Pittsburgh Symphony in September of 2023 with Manfred Honeck as soloist in the new season. She has a new cd of music by Valentin Silvestrov, the Ukraine born composer who is now living in Berlin. The disc is titled "Silent Songs," the Music of Silence with baritone Konstantin Krimmel. They have a filmed concert together as well for the DG stage+ series. Helene joined Jim Cunningham by Zoom from Berlin to talk about her recent work.
Wali Jamal stars in August Wilson's "Seven Guitars," being presented by the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Theater Arts. It runs February 17th through 26th at the Charity Randall Theater. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with the actor about the play, August Wilson and more.
This Friday February 17th at 4pm, Nanette Kaplan Solomon performs a recital as part of the Chatham University Friday Musicale series. The concert is titled Piano Fantastique: An Afternoon of Piano Fantasies and features J.S. Bach’s Fantasia in C Minor, the C Major Fantasy , op. 17, by Robert Schumann, romantic Fantasy Pieces by the little-known Croatian composer Dora Pejacevic, Fantasie Negre no. 2 by American composer Florence Price, and William Hirtz ‘s Wizard of Oz Fantasy.
Beth Dolinar, award winning producer with WQED and WTAE who also writes for the Washington Observer each week speaks with Jim Cunningham about her latest WQED documentary Alone: Isolation Hurts. Social isolation has long been known to affect mental health, but new information shows it can increase the risk of poor physical health and early death. With direct connections to depression, suicide, dementia, stroke, coronary disease and poor sleep, isolation is having an ominous and widespread effect. As many as 40 percent of American adults report feeling cut off from meaningful family and community connection. The COVID pandemic only made things worse with an alarming spike in teenage mental health issues.Alone: Isolation Hurts introduces a diverse group of people who speak candidly about how isolation exacerbated their experiences with alcoholism, suicide attempts, and emotional trauma, as well as the stigma associated with admitting to being lonely. The program also features ways in which those at risk for isolation’s worst consequences are reaching out to make positive, new social connections.
Dusty Kirk, Vice-Chair of the RAD Board, spoke with WQED-FM's Anna Singer during the station's 50th Anniversary Celebration on January 25, 2023.
Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh presents "Swept Away" this weekend - Saturday February 4th at Rodef Shalom and Sunday February 5th at Calvary United Methodist Church. The program features music by Arnold and Haydn, as well as a world premiere by Alyssa Wang. Alyssa joined conductor and Artistic Director Edward Leonard, and Executive Director Andrew Swenson on the QED Morning Show with Anna Singer to talk about the piece and the program in general.
Conductor Matthew Kraemer and cellist Nicholas Canellakis talk about this Saturday's Butler County Symphony Orchestra concert, taking place at the Butler Intermediate High School, 7:30pm.
Anna Singer spoke with members of Chatham Baroque about their upcoming concerts titled "The Isle of Delos," Saturday February 4th at Calvary Episcopal Church and Sunday February 5th at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
WQED-FM spoke with Bruce Lazier who has an event at the Carnegie Library this Saturday (21st) at 2pm. It is in the South Wing Reading Room. It is called "Sounds Upstairs: Trombasso." It is a trio featuring him (Trombone), Phillip Van Ouse (Cimbasso) and Laura Lynn Crytzer (Trombone).
WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Dr. Herbert Jones, about the 2023 "Let Freedom Sing" concert taking place at the Rodman Street Baptist Church on Saturday January 14th. It's the 16th annual Concert Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Annette Banks, producer of the new WQED-TV documentary "Freedom House Ambulance: The First Responders." Airing on Thursday January 12th at 8pm on WQED, the documentary tells the story of the paramedics of Freedom House Ambulance which was initially conceived to respond to the needs of Pittsburgh’s African American community who often times, couldn’t rely on police and fire departments during an emergency. With rare archival images, the program features the story of inception from an original founder, compelling reflections of surviving paramedics, stories of the world-renowned doctors who trained them, and memories of lifelong Hill District residents.
Composer and Conductor Victoria Bond worked with the Pittsburgh Symphony as Composer in Residence with Music Director Andre Previn. Victoria speaks with Jim Cunningham about her warm memories of Pittsburgh making music with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony run by Marie Maazel and her Previn collaborations. She conducted numerous concerts as a trailblazer in the world of women and the arts. She has formed her own company in Chicago worked a lot New York with a home in Greenwich Village and several albums of her music have been released. The most recent from fall 2022 The centerpiece of her newest album is the world premiere recording of Blue and Green Music, commissioned by the Cassatt Quartet through a Chamber Music America commissioning grant. She is principal guest conductor of Chamber Opera Chicago, and has held conducting positions with Pittsburgh Symphony, New York City Opera, Roanoke Symphony, and Bel Canto and Harrisburg Operas. Ms. Bond is Artistic Director of Cutting Edge Concerts New Music Festival in New York, which she founded in 1998, and is a frequent lecturer at the Metropolitan Opera Guild.
Matthew Rygelski interviewed the VennDuo Clarinet Duo made up of clarinetists Hannah Weller and Alexandra Chea. The duo met at Messiah University in Harrisburg Pennsylvania and have become a popular collaboration posting new clarinet duets and have been invited to perform live at numerous events. Matthew Rygelski interviewed them about their success and their upcoming projects.
Celebrate Christmas with Shadyside Brass Sunday December 18 4:30pm at Heinz Chapel in a free will offering concert. It’s all holiday hits with Hark the herald Angels Sing, Carol of the Bells, Coventry Carol. I Saw Three Ships, White Christmas, Santa baby, The Christmas Song, O Christmas Tree and Silent Night. Jim Cunningham will have poetry from Maya Angelou and Anne Bronte plus Dr. Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas. The offering benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Trumpet Joseph Figliulo and the Foundation’s volunteer Justin Davis stopped by the QED Morning Show with the details.
Two time Tony award winner Michael Cerveris appears as Scrooge in the 31 year tradition of presenting A Music Christmas Carol by Pittsburgh CLO at the Byham Theater through the 23rd. Cerveris has recently appeared in The Gilded Age for HBO, Mindhunter for Netfliz and many other film and tv productions. On stage he worked with Stephen Sondheim in Sweeney Todd and several other Sondheim classics. Michael’s father—also Michael Cerveris is a Pittsburgher who has concertized for the Tuesday Musical Club playing a recital of Debussy. Cerveris the younger plays in a highly regarded band Loose Cattle after getting to know members of the Who including Pete Townsend while he starred in the rock opera Tommy but does not pay the piano as much as he’d like. He told Jim Cunningham the second season of the Gilded Age created written and executive produced by Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame will make Pittsburghers happy with the story line of the railroad tycoon who shows up in Pittsburgh to meet with union workers this even though New York and Rhode Island was where most of the filming took place. Cerveris says he’s seen all the filmed productions of Dickens Christmas Carol, his favorite is Alistair Sims and he knows his immediate past Scrooge colleague at CLO in recent seasons, Richard Thomas and is not surprised that it was wonderful. In his Pittsburgh debut as Scrooge Michael Cerveris says the production is first rate and an essential holiday treat with special pleasure that the production will be seen by thousands of area students along with the evening performances.
Two time Tony award winner Michael Cerveris appears as Scrooge in the 31 year tradition of presenting A Music Christmas Carol by Pittsburgh CLO at the Byham Theater through the 23rd. Cerveris has recently appeared in The Gilded Age for HBO, Mindhunter for Netfliz and many other film and tv productions. On stage he worked with Stephen Sondheim in Sweeney Todd and several other Sondheim classics. Michael’s father—also Michael Cerveris is a Pittsburgher who has concertized for the Tuesday Musical Club playing a recital of Debussy. Cerveris the younger plays in a highly regarded band Loose Cattle after getting to know members of the Who including Pete Townsend while he starred in the rock opera Tommy but does not pay the piano as much as he’d like. He told Jim Cunningham the second season of the Gilded Age created written and executive produced by Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame will make Pittsburghers happy with the story line of the railroad tycoon who shows up in Pittsburgh to meet with union workers this even though New York and Rhode Island was where most of the filming took place. Cerveris says he’s seen all the filmed productions of Dickens Christmas Carol, his favorite is Alistair Sims and he knows his immediate past Scrooge colleague at CLO in recent seasons, Richard Thomas and is not surprised that it was wonderful. In his Pittsburgh debut as Scrooge Michael Cerveris says the production is first rate and an essential holiday treat with special pleasure that the production will be seen by thousands of area students along with the evening performances.
Resonance Works presents "Amahl and the Night Visitors" December 16th through the 18th at the New Hazlett Theater. Also on the program is Margaret Bonds' "Ballad of the Brown King" and a new work by Nancy Galbraith. Maria Sensi Sellner, Victory Brinker and Jonathan Stuckey stopped by to chat with Anna Singer about the concert.
Conductor Brian Burns and mezzo-soprano Kara Cornell spoke with Anna Singer about the Messiah Sing-Along taking place at Calvary United Methodist Church December 17th and 18th.
Chatham Baroque's Andrew Fouts stopped by the QED Morning Show with Anna Singer to talk about their upcoming "Art of the Trio" concerts Friday December 16th at St. Nicholas Church, Saturday December 17th at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Sunday December 18th at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Dr. Edward Alan Moore plays the Three Chorales by Cesar Franck 4 PM Saturday, December 10 at 4:30 at East Liberty Presbyterian Church to celebrate the 200th Franck birthday. In this conversation with Jim Cunningham, he talks about Franck the man and his contribution to the music world and we listen to a recording of the first chorale played by the organist at Notre Dame Olivier Latry. Edward also fills us in on Christmas in East Liberty Friday, December 16th - a free concert with the Brass Roots, organ and choir.
Eric Dzugan presents Deodat de Severac, a 150th Anniversary Concert at the JCC in Squirrel Hill Sunday December 11 at 2:30pm with soprano Katie manukyan. There is an elaborate commemorative booklet available at the concert written by the pianist who has dedicated the event to his teacher Gabriel D’Abruzzo.
The members of Cello Fury with guest artist flute Zoe Sorrel perform live in the studio at WQED in advance of their concerts in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. They speak with Jim Cunningham about the concert and what they are up to as active teachers in the area. Here is the detail from their website: Join us this December for the annual “Cello Fury and Friends Holiday Shows!” We're bringing together new guest performers for two Pittsburgh shows, plus we're adding a concert in Cleveland! Each show will bring together amazing musicians for a unique and festive experience!PITTSBURGH SHOWSFriday, December 16: Unplugged! Pittsburgh show in Shadyside featuring the acoustic Cello Fury trio with special guests Zoe Sorrell (flute) and Jacquelynn Ware (vocals), for an intimate evening of original, traditional and holiday music. Ticket info: Adult General Admission $20; Youth/College Students $12. All ages show. 7:30 pm show/7 pm doors.Saturday, December 17: Amplified! Pittsburgh show in Shadyside featuring the full band with David Throckmorton (drums) plus special guests Rishi Bahl (vocals/guitar) and Scott Boni (saxophone). The Saturday show will rock out with the full Cello Fury band, with vocals, guitar and saxophone added to the mix. Ticket info: Adult General Admission $20; Youth/College Students $12. All ages show. 7:30 pm show/7 pm doors.
Daniel Nesta Curtis talks about the CMU Philharmonic and Chorus December concert taking place at Carnegie Music Hall on Thursday December 8th, as well as the Pittsburgh Philharmonic concert taking place on Sunday December 18th at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center.
The South Hills Chorale presents their holiday concert "Tis the Season To Be Singing" December 16th at 7 and 17th at 2pm at the Christ United Methodist Church, 44 Highland Road, Bethel Park PA. Rick Smith, the Executive Director, has the details on the program and the spirit of the group. He tells Jim Cunningham about the 62 years of history and why the singers participate. Phil Aley is the conductor. After a half century with Hank Monch, Phil upholds the traditions. A retired certified financial planner Rick suggests stay the course, what goes down must come up. Tickets are $20.
WQED colleague and award winning television producer, Gina Catanzarite, spoke with Jim Cunningham about WQED's upcoming 30 minute documentary "Autism: Aging Out," premiering Thursday, December 8th at 8pm.
An Evening with Joy Ike happens twice this weekend December 3 2022 at Rodef Shalom Temple 7:30pm and December 4 3:30pm at Sixth Presbyterian Church. The Gershwin Lullaby, Grieg Holberg Suite and arrangements made just for the songs of Joy Ike. Conductor Edward Leonard joins Joy Ike and Executive Director Andrew Swenson to dig in to the joys of the event. Joy, born in Pittsburgh but more recently living in Philadelphia tells Jim Cunningham her philosophy and inspiration with the journey so far.
TRYPO Music Director Brian Worsdale visited the WQED-FM studio to tell Jim Cunningham all about the December 5 Carnegie Music Hall concert “Music of the Americas” of the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra with thoughts about founders Bernard Goldberg and Phyliss Susan, the strength of the coaching staff. getting through he pandemic, Bryan’s work at Duquesne University teaching conductors the TRYPO visit to Carnegie Hall in New York last summer and more.
T J Fairchild is the Founder with his wife of Commonplace Coffee which started with a love of coffee house culture in Raleigh North Carolina then traveled to Indiana University of Pa and has expanded to eight locations in western Pennsylvania. Commonplace has created the 50th Anniversary blend for contributors to WQED-FM. TJ tells Jim Cunningham it tastes delicious and relates the flavors involved. The coffee business, Walt Whitman and what makes the business perk can be found in this Voice of the Arts conversation.
Jim Cunningham chats with Anna Singer about her new 2023 Calendar featuring her paintings. WQED-FM is offering it during our December drive for a contribution of just $60.
Assistant Conductor at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Moon Doh, takes on a new role as a guest conductor at Butler Symphony Orchestra this Saturday, December 3rd for their Holiday Traditions Concert. This concert features opera singer Kevin Glavin reprising his beloved Santa role from the PSO years ago, and Butler local singer Sarah Bishop. Moon discusses the upcoming concert and his first Christmas in Pittsburgh.
Dr. Susan Medley Music Director of the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale has the detail on her program Sounds of the Season Friday December 2 at a new venue Trinity Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh at 7:30, Saturday 7:30 at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church and Sunday at 4pm in the Ingomar United methodist Church. She also has a sing along Messiah and a concert at W and J where she is Director of Choral Activities.
WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Samuele Bozzolla, the son of opera singer Claudia Pinza. They talked about his mother and grandfather.
After 25 years as Principal Trumpet of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, George Vosburgh teaches at Carnegie Mellon University and organizes a concert with the Brass ensemble he founded in 1994 at the St. James Church in Sewickley. It’s just holiday hits on Sunday November 27th at 6:30 with no admission charge. In this conversation from the QED Morning Show, George remembers his 1997 performance with Heinz Wallberg of the Hummel trumpet concerto and has the story of the Holiday Favorites CD and concert at St. James, plus the latest music making with the Wind Ensemble at CMU.
Dana Bishop-Root, Director of Education and Public Programs at Carnegie Museum of Art, talks about all of the holiday events taking place at the Museum, including the Carnegie Trees, live performances, the Neapolitan Presepio, and of course holiday shopping.
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with Jessica Gaynelle Moss about the exhibit "Shrine" at the Mattress Factory through December 30, 2022. "Shrine" uplifts and recognizes Black m/others, artists, creatives and/or activists and honors sacred and holy spaces— or shrines– as sites of resistance and liberation struggle.
Kola Owolabi from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend Indiana presents a free Sunday 3:30pm recital at St Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh’s Oakland. Kola visited the WQED-Fm studio to speak with Jim Cunningham about the program he’s prepared with Bach Muffat and contemporary music for the king of instruments. He outlined his musical journey which includes stops in Monral at McGill University, the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, Nigeria, Ann Arbor Michigan, Yale University and South Bend. The state of the organ world, how young organists of color will increase in number and the topic diversity generally in the music world, the special qualities of the Beckerath instruments and the spirit of Notre Dame grads all turn up in this lively get together. Cathedral Director of Music and organist Brian Gurley introduces Kola and adds a cheer for Notre Dame.
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Music Director Manfred Honeck recently made his Metropolitan Opera debut with Mozart's "Idomeneo." WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with Metropolitan Opera Radio host Debra Lew Harder about her impressions of Manfred with the Met.
Jim Whipple is a founding member of the Renaissance City winds playing bassoon. He introduces a concert on December 20th in Oakland and November 26, 2023 at Holmes Hall on the north side. The program Tchochkes includes music for the holidays and special items rarely if ever performed in Pittsburgh with an emphasis on American composers. The concert on the 26th is in memory of the last owner of Holmes Hall, John Desantis, who has one of the world's most comprehensive collections of toy trains. Concert goers can tour the home after the concert.
Anna Bulkina makes her Steinway Society debut on Sunday November 20 at 3pm in Kresge Theater at CMU. She explains in this conversation with Jim Cuningham her most unusual program of never before heard in Pittsburgh surprises including Leo Ornstein's Suicide n an Airplane as well as the George Antheil Airplane Sonata, music by Schoenberg, Henry Cowell, Igor Stravinsky's Ragtime, Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit and Prokofiev's Third Sonata. She arrived in Texas where she teaches now having traveled from the Rachmaninov Conservatory in Rostov Russia and she can be seen in many Youtube videos playing Bach and Czerny Etudes.
Chatham Baroque presents their "Virtuoso Recorder" set of concerts this weekend - Friday at St. Nicholas Church, Saturday at Calvary Episcopal Church and Sunday at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Learn more about the concerts in this podcast.
Director Rebecca Wahls, writer SMJ, and composer Maggie Marie Rodgers talks with Voice of the Arts about their upcoming new musical, this old haunt, having their academic premiere at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, this Saturday, November 19th at 2pm. They also discuss creating a new musical during the age of internet meetings, and how one can overcome grief individually and together with friends. Shows run until November 30th.
The Three Rivers Film Festival presents the 40th Anniversary screening of George Romero's Creepshow at the Harris Theater Wednesday November 16th at 7pm with panel discussion from Mrs. Suzanne Romero, Assistant Director John Harrison, Tom Savini and Lori Cardille. John and Suzanne speak about the making of the movie in Pittsburgh; George's Romero's connections to WQED; Fred Rogers and Stephen King; John's work at WQED-FM and writing of the Creepshow score; George's love of classsical music; and the Zombie world which had it's rise from western Pennsylvania. Plus whatever happened to all the thousands of imported cockroaches that paid no attention to the set border in this conversation with Jim Cunningham.
Marianne Cornetti stopped by WQED-FM to chat with Anna Singer about Pittsburgh Festival Opera's "Legends in the Limelight" concert - Sunday November 13th, 3pm at Shadyside Presbyterian Church. The concert features tenor John Osborn.
Jacob Joyce, Music Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony and Assistant Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony and William Powers Executive Director of the Orchestra discuss the Dvorak Eighth Symphony, Ballade by Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet and Jimmy Lopez “Techno” that will be heard in a 7:30pm Free concert at Heinz Hall Sunday November 13. They joined Jim Cunningham live on Wednesday morning November 9.
Journalist and writer Paul Salsini sat down with WQED to discuss his new memoir detailing his personal correspondence with the late composer, Stephen Sondheim, "Sondheim and Me: Revealing a Musical Genius." Listen as we discussed the circumstances leading to Salsini first reaching out to Sondheim, his founding of The Sondheim Review Magazine, and much more.
Pittsburgh Opera presents Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" November 5th through 13th at the Benedum Center. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke to the opera's Music Director, Antony Walker.
Flutist and Professor at CMU Stephen Schultz will conduct Vivaldi’s Four Seasons alongside a world premiere of Rustic Breezes by CMU faculty composer Nancy Galbraith conducted by Daniel Nesta Curtis Sunday evening in Alumni Concert hall at CMU. The concert is free. Professor Schultz talks about his bi coastal life as a flutist in the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra of San Francisco in this conversation recorded Friday November 4 2022 on the QED Morning Show with Jim Cunningham.
Pittsburgh Opera presents Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" November 5th through 13th at the Benedum Center. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke to the opera's Susanna, Natasha Te Rupe Wilson.
Pittsburgh Opera presents Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" November 5th through 13th at the Benedum Center. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke to the opera's Stage Director Stephanie Havey.
Pittsburgh Opera presents Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" November 5th through 13th at the Benedum Center. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke to the opera's Figaro, Michael Sumuel.
Just in time for the holiday season, the Pittsburgh Symphony Association presents the Symphony Splendor Fantasy Holiday Mansion Tour! This is a tour of a Gilded Age Mansion in Shadyside that has been transformed by a crew of volunteers into a festive holiday mansion. See the mansion’s 12 Edwardian rooms and seven fireplaces decorated with 23 trees, heirloom glass ornaments, and garlands. Those who elect to see the mansion at night during a magical candlelight tour, will hear Pittsburgh Symphony musicians playing a selection of seasonal music to get everyone in a merry mood! Weekend tours begin November 18th – 20th and will continue through November 26th and 27th for family Thanksgiving weekend outings. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door, and $35 for Candlelight Tours. All proceeds will be to support the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Visit https://pittsburghsymphonyassociation.org for more information!
Dr. Barry Coutinho performs a concert with members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on Thursday November 3rd, 7:30pm at the Herberman Conference Center. He'll be playing music by Brahms and Gershwin. Dr. Coutinho stopped by WQED-FM and chatted with Anna Singer about the concert.
Science fiction writer and Pittsburgh native, Lawrence C Connolly, discusses his upcoming premiere of Frankenstein at Prime Stage Theater, Friday November 4th at 8 pm. This show runs until Sunday November 13th. Opening night includes a preview of clues from Prime Stage's new Mystery Theater Podcast. Tickets at primestage.com.
Composer Reinaldo Moya and Butler County Symphony Musical Director Matthew Kraemer, discuss their upcoming concert entitled, "Voices of Nature," on Saturday, November 5th at 7:30pm. This concert features the 2nd world premiere of Reinaldo's Dark Earth: Anthropogenic Amazon. Tickets available at butlersymphony.org
Pittsburgh Philharmonic's Musical Director and CMU alumni, Daniel Nesta Curtis, discusses his upcoming concert, "Poetry in Music," on Sunday, November 6th at 4pm at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center in Ross Township. Selections include William Grant Still's Poem for Orchestra and Dvorak's 8th Symphony. Tickets can be found at pghphil.org.
Twelfth Night Ensemble performs their "Flash and Elegance" concert at Shadyside Presbyterian Church on Saturday October 29th, 7:30pm as part of the Chatham Baroque/Renaissance and Baroque Concert Series. Anna Singer spoke to Rachel Ellen Wong about what the audience can expect at the concert.
Organ Artists Series guest organist Vincent Dubois joins Jim Cunningham to talk about his recital in Pittsburgh at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland Friday night October 28 7:30pm Bach is included in the French masterworks plus Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre for Halloween, Cesar Franck and Maurice Durufle. Dubois is one of the three organists at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. He discusses the state of the renovation which French President Emanuel Macron says will be finished by December of 2024. The accordion in his musical world, the French and Halloween and many other musical topics in this beautiful soufflé! With Ken Danchik, Associate organist at St. Paul Cathedral, who teaches at the University of Pittsburgh. He is Dean of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, teaches for the Pittsburgh Organ Academy, and is a charter member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Pastoral Musicians.
Trombone Joe Williams and tuba Russ Pederson join Jim Cunningham to discuss Unity Brass and the free concert at Heinz Memorial Chapel at the University of Pittsburgh Sunday October 23, 3pm. Lennon and McCartney, Ewald, Gabrieli and Puttin on the Ritz are on the setlist which you can find at unitybrass.net With Catherine Getchell, trumpet Todd Obidowski, trumpet and Barbara Folb, horn,
The Pittsburgh Savoyards continue their 85th season this Fall with Gilbert and Sullivan’s magical operetta, The Sorcerer. Performances will be held October 21-23 and 28-30 2022 at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center in Ross Township, PA. Some cast members of the Sorcerer stopped by WQED-FM to talk with Anna Singer.
The next Chamber Music Pittsburgh "Pittsburgh Performs" concert takes place October 22 at Regent Square. The Alla Boara Ensemble with traditional italian fusion music at the Instituto Mondo Italiano. Group founder, percussionist Anthony Taddeo and Instituto Mondo Italiano founder Viviana Altieri discuss with Jim Cunningham their program and how the Instituto Mondo Italiano shares Italian culture. For more information, http://www.istitutomondoitaliano.org
Multiple time Emmy Award winning producer Beth Dolinar discusses her new program "The Growing Field: Future Jobs in Agriculture" with Jim Cunningham airing on WQED13 October 20th at 8pm and available online from the PBS Video App. Robotic plant watering, new technology in growing crops and raising animals, an automated dairy farm in Washington County and much more on the topic list.
Albert Manders grew up in Pittsburgh, but now lives and performs the flute in Amsterdam. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham sat down with Albert the last time he was in town to ask what he's been up to recently.
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with violinist Hilary Hahn about her new CD on Deutsche Grammophon tiled "Eclipse." The CD features music of Dvorak, Ginastera and Sarasate with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony conducted by Andrés Orozco-Estrada. Hilary talks about the CD and recalls her many trips to Heinz Hall to play with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Her new CD is out today (October 7, 20220) and can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X99XPGH/?tag=umgklassik-21&ascsubtag=0028948623839_B09X99XPGH_hilary+hahn_hilary+hahn+-+eclipe_www.universal-music.de
Program Chair Dr. Nanette Kaplan Solomon sat down with WQED to talk about Tuesday Musical Club and their upcoming concert on Tuesday, October 11th at 1 pm in the Rodef Shalom's Levy Hall. The concert is free to attend and is livestreamed on Youtube.
Mark Rylance is a famed British actor, playwright, and theatre director. He's also the husband of Claire van Kampen who is directing Quantum Theater's production of Idaspe, taking place at the Byham Theater from October 7th through the 15th. Mark stopped by WQED-FM to talk to Anna Singer about Idaspe and more.
Resonance Works opens it's 10th Anniversary season with "I Am a Dreamer Who No Longer Dreams," Friday October 14th at 8pm and Sunday October 16th, 3pm at Carnegie Music Hall in Carnegie. Artistic and General Director Maria Sensi Sellner, along with cast members stopped by WQED-FM to talk to Anna Singer about the production.
Aria Parlock is a 12-year-old literary artist from Johnstown, PA. She recalls that she first became interested in poetry in 3rd grade. Now as a pre-teen, Aria wants to use the book she is in the process of publishing, with the help of her mom, to spread positivity and laughter to her readers. Kamera Dorsey sits down to chat with Aria about what inspires her, how poetry has helped her through tough times and her encouragement for students who also want to follow their dreams!
Eric Crosby, the Henry J. Heinz II Director of Carnegie Museum of Art, stopped by WQED-FM to chat about the 58th Carnegie International and more in this conversation with Jim Cunningham.
WQED-FM's Anna Singer speaks with Caron Daley, the Director of Choral Activities at Duquesne University. Dr. Daley talks about Duquesne's new "Spirit of Pittsburgh" concert series. The series celebrates Pittsburgh with specially curated concert programs featuring the musical, cultural, and historical traditions of our city featuring the Duquesne Symphony Orchestra, Choirs, Wind and Jazz Ensembles, as well as our jazz faculty.
WQED discusses the power of music, keeping track of schedules, and the Butler County Symphony's upcoming performance with Maestro Matthew Kraemer and Phantom of the Opera star Hugh Panaro. Butler County Symphony's "Bravo Broadway" concert stars West End Scarlett Strallen and Broadway Hugh Panaro in renditions of Broadway show tunes from Cole Porter to Little Shop of Horrors. The concert is Saturday, October 1st, from 7:30-9:30pm.
Wind Quintet, Imani Winds joins WQED’s Lead with Music Fellow, Kamera Dorsey, to discuss their work with Chamber Music Pittsburgh, critically acclaimed album “Bruits”, what keeps them going, and some nuggets of wisdom for the next generation of musical creatives! To support the work of Imani Winds please visit: https://imaniwinds.com
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Archivist Amanda Peters and Kelsea Collins, Adult Services Librarian, talk with Jim Cunningham about the Radical Days free event Historic Pittsburgh Fair at the Carnegie Library Main Branch on the second floor on October 15th at 1pm. The Radical Day event includes library tours, a presentation by Rick Sebak, and multiple special guests including Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, Squirrel Hill Historical Society, Historical Glass Pittsburgh, Lawrenceville Historical Society, Northland Public Library, Chatham University Special Collections, and many more. For more information - https://www.carnegielibrary.org/event/historic-pittsburgh-fair/
Edward Leonard, the Artistic Director of the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, and Executive Director Andrew Swensen talk with Jim Cunningham about their collaboration with Imani Winds on Saturday night September 24th, 7:30 PM in Levy Hall of Rodef Shalom Temple. There will be music by Boris Blacher and Jeff Scott on the program. How did the opener with "From the Canyons to the Stars" by Olivier Messiaen go? What’s next in December? It’s all here.
Anna Singer spoke with Vivica Genaux, who sings the role of Dario in Quantum Theater's production of "Idaspe" at the Byham Theater October 7th through the 15th.
Yo-Yo Ma plays the John Williams Cello Concerto with John Devlin conducting the opening night celebration of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra at the Capitol Theater Thursday September 29th at 7:30pm. John Devlin discuses the program of American Stories with Caroline Shaw and a world premiere of Migrations in Rhythm: A Concerto for Beatbox and Rhyme by Evan Meier with Christylez Bacon and a new arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner by Enrico Lopez Yanez. It's a return for Yo-Yo Ma - he first played Wheeling at age 17. There is a reception afterward. John also discusses the season to come with Jim Cunningham and relays a few highlights from his work with Gianandrea Noseda and Christoph Eschenbach at the National Symphony before arriving in Wheeling.
Anna Singer spoke with John Holiday, who sings the role of Idaspe in Quantum Theater's production of "Idaspe" at the Byham Theater October 7th through the 15th.
Stephanie Rolland, Theater Curator, and Cathryn Calhoun, Senior Manager of Education and Community Engagement for the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, discuss their special free events for Radical Days - "Behind the Red Door--Step Into the American Century Cycle" on Saturday September 24th and Community Day at Hazelwood Green Plaza on Saturday, October 1st with music, vendors and food, plus many ways to explore the world of August Wilson and his theatrical masterpieces.
Dan Kamin stopped by WQED-FM to talk about his upcoming performance of "Charlie Chaplin's Red Letter Days" - Thursday September 29th, 7:30pm at the Harris Theater. In Charlie Chaplin’s Red Letter Days, Dan Kamin tells the amazing story of how Charlie Chaplin made the world shake with laughter even as the Great War was shaking it with bombs—and how he risked fame, fortune and reputation by making a comedy about the bloody conflict while it was still raging. The highlight will be the screening of a complete, newly restored print of that film, Shoulder Arms (1918), which takes an unflinching look at the horrific realities of trench warfare through the Tramp’s experiences as a doughboy.
The Chatham Baroque + Renaissance and Baroque 2022-2023 Concert Season begins on Saturday September 24th with Fortepianist and faculty member at the Juilliard School, Yi-heng Yang, performing the music of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven on a replica of an 18th-century Viennese Walter fortepiano. The concert takes place at Calvary Episcopal Church, Shadyside at 7:30pm. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke to Yi-heng about the concert.
Jim Cunningham spoke with Quantum Theater Artistic Director Karla Boos, and Director Claire van Kampen about Quantum's production of "Idaspe" at the Byham Theater October 7th through the 15th.
Justin Fortunato, the Producing Artistic Director of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, discusses the opening production of the new 8 show season of the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield series with Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim as the opener on October 7. Justin highlights the high quality of the productions and strongly suggests no one would be disappointed in the drive to Beaver County for the evening. In this conversation with Jim Cunningham, he runs down the special features of each of the upcoming presentations including Murder on the Orient Express, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, Puffs, Shout! The Mod Musical, An American in Paris and The Play That Goes Wrong. Justin even supplies favorite restaurant suggestions nearby.
Internationally renowned organist, Dr. Gail Archer, sat down with Voice of the Arts to discuss her upcoming performance in Pittsburgh, as well as her newest recordings of contemporary Polish and Ukrainian composers. Dr. Gail Archer's free to attend performance of selected works will be held at St. Bernard's Church in Mount Lebanon, October 16th at 3pm.
On today’s episode, Kamera Dorsey is joined by visual and musical artist Naomi Allen also known as Queen of Nairobi to chat about mental health, knowing your worth as an artist and the difficult work of navigating Pittsburgh’s art scene as a black woman. Check out what Naomi is up to on her site: http://queenofnairobi.net This episode briefly mentions the guests’ experience with sexual assault and suicidal thoughts, viewer discretion is advised. * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of WQED Multimedia.
The Associate Curator of the 58th Carnegie International Is it morning for you yet? talks about the show and the opening weekend of events, his art beginnings and much more in this conversation with Jim Cunningham. The events include: Malcolm Peacock, The insistent desire for and impossibility of being Saturday, September 24 10 a.m.–8 p.m. First of four presentations Carnegie Museum of Art Artist Malcolm Peacock brings together a diverse group of Black Pittsburghers for a work of performance art experienced by one visitor at a time. The presentation asks whether art museums can offer the conditions to cultivate a means of holding space inside a future in which Black autonomy is uncontested, and throughout the exhibition, will take place on days that mark significant events in Black American history. Free with museum admission. Registration required but not guaranteed. Registration is only available to participants 18 and older. Visitors can register at the admission desks beginning at 10 a.m. Ali Eyal, Performance Activation of Where Does a Thought Go When It’s Forgotten? And., Saturday, September 24 4:30–5:00 p.m. Carnegie Museum of Art, Heinz Gallery B Artist Ali Eyal activates and expands on an installation of drawing and painting that explores the contemporary history of Iraq through personal reflection and depictions of the flora and fauna from the land once inhabited by his family. For this in-gallery performance, a protagonist remembers the scent of a beautiful white flower, which has triggered nausea, thirst, fever, and memory loss. Free with museum admission. Christian Nyampeta, Search Sweet Country—A Concert Saturday, September 24 5–6 p.m. Carnegie Museum of Art, Sculpture Court A lyrical performance of songs of love, loss, and overcoming “what we keep after everything has been washed away—through catastrophes such as floods and hurricanes, and human-made disasters” (Ntone Edjabe). Assembled and composed over the last decade, this performance offers a brief reprieve from these times in the company of artists, musicians, theorists, and other figures whose ideas and lyrics Christian Nyampeta has drawn from, covered, or evoked. Free with museum admission. Members’ Reception Saturday, September 24 6–9 p.m. Carnegie Museum of Art If you are a Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh member, please join us for a reception to celebrate the 58th Carnegie International. Enjoy an exclusive tour of the exhibition, refreshments, and more. To learn more about membership, visit 4museums.org.
John Matera, Executive Producer for Partisan Pictures presenting the PBS documentary "Ron Carter Finding the Right Notes," visited WQED-FM speaking with Jim Cunningham about the October broadcast on WQED13. John is a former Pittsburgher back in town for the opening concert September 16th at the August Wilson Cultural Center of the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival which stars the 85 year old bass superstar who started his career in the 1950’s and has made more recordings than any other bassist with every major jazz star, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin and many others totaling over 2,500 recordings. Why doesn’t everyone know his name? Probably because of his gentle easy going nature. He started down the road of a classical bass player with a degree from the Eastman School of Music but making it in the orchestral world has never been easy for an African American as the film reveals.
Violinist and conductor Warren Davidson is a founding member of the Academy String Quartet. He joins Jim Cunningham to discuss the new series of concerts staring Friday September 16 at 7:30 at the Sunnyhill Unitarian Church in Mount Lebanon. The concert will repeat the following evening at the Central Presbyterian Church in Tarentum. Warren provided his notes on the program “Our program starts with variations, by ten different Russian composers, on a Russian folk song. Some of those composers are well-known to music lovers (Rimsky-Korsakov, Scriabin), some you may have stumbled across a few times (Glazunov , Liadov), and others, we quartet members had never heard of (for example, Victor Ewald and Nicolai Sokolov). The ten short variations each have a particular character, an individual flavor. Pittsburghers will understand when I compare this piece to the cookie table at a wedding: “Which one is the tastiest? Guess I have to try them all…” Joseph Haydn, often called the “father of the string quartet,” was a great master of variation technique. Our concert features a relatively early work, Opus 20 #4, and a late quartet, Opus 76 #3, that each include a variations movement. In the case of the Opus 20 quartet the theme is in the style of an operatic air. Though Haydn’s operas are not often heard today, he wrote a lot of them for performance at Esterhazy, the magnificent estate of his princely employer (which had not only an opera theater but a marionette theater, too). It is easy to imagine a character on stage singing this tune, telling to us how they are unlucky in love, and it is hard to know whether we are supposed to take them seriously. The cartoon-like finale movement suggests that perhaps the variation movement should be seen as somewhat tongue-in-cheek. In the Opus 76 quartet, Haydn makes gorgeous variations on a song that he was very proud of: Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser¸ which was adopted as the Austrian national anthem and (later) as the alma mater of the University of Pittsburgh. This later quartet is, taken as a whole, a grand statement, in which these proud and noble musical lines fit perfectly. In between those fabulous Haydn quartets we bring for you a clever piece of silliness: Stylistic Variations on Smoke on the Water, by Kenneth Abeling. The 1972 hit song by the band Deep Purple is transformed into Latin dance music, a gentle waltz, and a swing tune, before the quartet rocks out in the final section.
Icelandic born pianist Vikingur Olafsson has not yet made his Pittsburgh debut but he says he hopes to soon. He noticed the reviews of the recent tour by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and he's a Manfred Honeck fan. This season he will play in New York and Berlin having recorded seven highly praised CDs for the Deutsche Grammophon label. He speaks with Jim Cunningham about his recent visit to Fallingwater and the new disc which is actually two cds recorded on a grand piano and the same program on an upright instrument. Vikingur speaks about his admiration for the 96 year old Gyorgy Kurtag with whom he recently spent an inspirational day. Several of Kurtag's piano pieces are included on the new set along with Schumann, Bach, Icelandic folksongs and Bartok. Does he prefer the volcanic terrain of his native country to the uptown streets of Manhattan where he earned his masters degree at Juilliard? Both are who he is! Did his parents call him Vik? Check out this conversation from his home in Iceland by Zoom.
Anna Singer speaks with Stage Director Kristine McIntyre about Pittsburgh Opera's upcoming production of "Rusalka," running September 17-25 at the Benedum Center.
Anna Singer speaks with Marianne Cornetti, who sings the role of Ježibaba in Pittsburgh Opera's upcoming production of "Rusalka," running September 17-25 at the Benedum Center.
Anna Singer speaks with Music Director Antony Walker about Pittsburgh Opera's upcoming production of "Rusalka," running September 17-25 at the Benedum Center.
Avery Barrera and Jackie Demspey sit down to discuss the Squonk Opera's 30th anniversary tour.
The Principal Harp of the Pittsburgh Symphony Gretchen Van Hoesen will organize and join in an ensemble of 16 harps to play a new score by Alyssa Reit inspired by Hans Christian Anderson's "The Snow Queen" on September 25 at 5:30 PM at Kresge Theater, Carnegie Mellon University. It is co-sponsored by The Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Harp Society and Carnegie Mellon University. Alyssa Reit will be narrating the Hans Christian Andersen story, Peter Reit will be conducting 16 harpists performing, including Gretchen Katie Ventura and Marissa Knaub Avon, the entire harp department at CMU, the PYSO harp section and many more area harpists. This production is a setting of the famous Hans Christian Andersen classic, for storyteller and 15 harps. In this performance, the music will incorporate excerpts from participant solos, specially arranged ensemble sections, sound effects, and excerpts from the orchestral repertoire to illustrate the story. The individual solos and ensemble selections will be set as musical interludes. In addition, participants will play underscoring and sound effects, accompanying the text. Harpists of all ages, skill levels, and harp types will be participating. Alyssa Reit has worked as an independent performer, composer and arranger in the New York tri-state area since completing her Bachelors and Master’s degrees at the Juilliard School as a student of Marcel Grandjany in 1975. Composition teachers include Jacob Druckman, Andrew Thomas, and Richard Einhorn. She has performed with institutions ranging from the Orchestra of St. Lukes, the Pittsburgh Symphony, and the Metropolitan Opera,
When it comes to classical music everything is not what it seems. Classically trained pianist and composer, Ayca Akin also known as Ahda takes classical music in a whole new direction. Her work blends genres of classical, contemporary classical and electronic music together to create film worthy compositions. If you want to listen to Ayca's music you can check out her Spotify page right here: http://open.spotify.com/artist/3SaEzc51llQX7NZN1oeGsQ?si=Axqr92v6RXSPuxt4CGveSw If you're interested in working with Ayca, you can contact her by email at ayca@ayca-akin.com
For the first time in Pittsburgh the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh presents From the Canyons to the Stars by Olivier Messiaen at the Eddy Theater Chatham University 7:30 pm Saturday September 10. Artistic Director Edward Leonard joins conductor Kevin Fitzgerald and pianist Daniel Pesca with Jim Cunningham to talk about the ambitious production which also features Mark Houghton, horn, of the Pittsburgh Symphony and two marimba soloists.
Pianist and Chatham University grad Robin Meloy Goldsby, the Piano Girl to her Facebook friends, is the daughter of Bob Rawsthorne - drummer and percussionist who recorded hundreds of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood episodes at WQED. Robin has published three popular books about her experiences playing at great hotels. The most recent is "Piano Girl Playbook: Notes on a Musical Life." She is the long time pianist at the Hotel Excelsior Ernst next to the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral in Germany. On the most recent Pittsburgh Symphony tour, Jim Cunningham visited her grand court where she plays her own compositions as well as European and American standards.
"Hair & Other Stories" is a dance-theater work by Urban Bush Women that reflects on race, identity, and ideas of beauty through the lens of Black women’s hair. Using movement, song, and conversation, it explores what constitutes freedom, liberation, and release in our everyday struggles to rise to our Extra-ordinary Selves in extraordinary times. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke to Urban Bush Women's Artistic Director Chanon Judson about "Hair & Other Stories," how the company hopes to help young women find power through dance, and her work in jazz at the University of Buffalo. "Hair & Other Stories" takes place at the PNC Theater September 9th and 10th. For more information and tickets, https://playhouse.pointpark.edu/tickets/Playhouse-Presents-The-Artists-Series/urban-bush-women
Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks presents "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at various parks September 3rd through the 25th. Artistic Director Jennifer Tober and Stoney Richards, who plays Bottom stopped by to talk about the production. For more information, visit: https://www.pittsburghshakespeare.com/
Hope Academy of Music and the Arts is no ordinary place. Since 1999, they've brought arts education to youth in the Pittsburgh area. It has been a safe space where young students of a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, religious and linguistic backgrounds can expand their artistic and personal growth. Hope Academy teacher, Liza Barely, shares with us how art education can change a child's life. Here is their website: https://cathedralofhope.org/ministries-programs/hope-academy/overview/
You've probably heard the word "Rad" throughout Allegheny County. You might have even attended a few events during "Radical Days." But what IS the Allegheny Regional Asset District? Who do they support and WHY do they support these organizations. The person with the answers is James Santelli. He sat down with WQED-FM's Bryan Sejvar to talk all things Rad and Radical Days, which runs this year from September 9th through October 16th. For more information: https://www.radworkshere.org/
Maria Caruso and Avery Barrera sit down to discuss her upcoming performance, "Breaking Boundaries," at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theatre September 9-10th. Bodiography welcomes Brazil’s renowned contemporary ballet company, Cisne Negro, to share the stage with Bodiography as artistic directors, Maria Caruso and Dany Bittencourt, create premiere works for each other’s dancers.
Can Pittsburgh save the planet? Environmental artist, Karen Larson, sits down with Kamera Dorsey to discuss her unique approach to bringing awareness to environmental issues from radiation to deforestation of the Amazon and the drought happening right in our own backyard.
Marty Ashby, Executive Producer of MCG Jazz, a program of the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, sits down with Kamera Dorsey as they dive into all things jazz, arts education and how the mumps made Marty a musician.
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham had a chance to talk with Leif Ove Andsnes about his new CD "Mozart Momentum." He also talks about his performances with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and more.
Chamber Music Pittsburgh is on a mission to bridge the gap between classical music and the everyday person. In this Voice of the Arts episode, Kamera Dorsey sits down with Chamber Music Pittsburgh Executive Director, Kristen Linfante, to discuss the origins of chamber music, the divide between classical music and minorities and Chamber Music Pittsburgh's JUST Summer Series!
Thomas Mueller closes out the St. Paul Cathedral Summer Concert Series with a recital this Sunday, August 14th, 3:30pm at St. Paul Cathedral. Thomas, and Brian Gurley, Director of Music and Organist at St. Paul Cathedral talk about the concert.
On today's episode, Flora Kelly talks with Pittsburgh-based, multi-skilled artist Shori Sims. A recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Shori discusses their plans for the future, the intention behind their work, and what it's like having their first solo show in a gallery. You can see Shori's exhibit "Dream of a Black Planet" at Pittsburgh Creative Corps Gallery at 8th Street and Penn Avenue Downtown until August 6th. You can also catch their exhibit "Little Girl Urn" at the 707 Gallery on Penn Avenue until August 7th. You can find Shori online at the links below! Website: https://shorisims.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shorisms/?hl=en
St. Paul Cathedral Oakland organist and Choir Director Brian Gurley provides details on his program for the free recital Sunday August 7th at 3:30 pm including Buxtehude and finishing with JS Bach. He has some insight into the role the Cathedral plays in religious life in Western Pennsylvania and has some details on the final concert in the current series.
Alejandro Pinzón sat down with Avery Barrera to discuss his upcoming performance at the Highline on August 9th. The two also discuss the uncommon instrument that Alejandro performs with, the bandoneon.
Dr, Richard Konzen, organist and choir director of St John’s Episcopal Church in Youngstown Ohio and also the Mayor of Mercer Pa. plays for the summer series of organ recitals at St Paul Cathedral in Oakland on Sunday July 31 at 3:30pm in a free recital which includes music by Bach and his contemporaries and Florence Price as well as Cesar Franck to celebrate the Franck Bicentennial year. Dr. Konzen joins Jim Cunningham and Organist Choir Director at St Paul Cathedral Brian Gurley in a conversation about their work together as teacher and student. Dr. Konzen provides suggestions regarding what to do on a visit to Mercer Pa and how he became mayor. He talks about his study at Depauw University and Yale and the special history of his church which includes as one its founders the sister of Stephen Foster who taught Sunday school there.
Jonathan Brader, the Vice President of Operations for the Pittsburgh Speakers Series, speaks with Jim Cunningham about the upcoming season at Heinz Hall presented with the support of the University of Pittsburgh. Appearing this year will be Loretta Lynch, John Brennan, Scott Kelly, Maria Ressa, Erik Larson and the single most requested speaker Tom Friedman with the final event Anthony Ray Hinton. Jonathan remembers great moments from the two decades of visits at Heinz Hall by prominent speakers and explains why you should subscribe. Jonathan also fills us in on the plans for the renovation of St Louis Symphony home Powell Hall in Saint Louis his hometown and his work in the box office there before joining the speakers series.
Geña, a local singer and percussionist, sat down with Avery Barrera to discuss her upcoming performance at the Thunderbird Cafe on Saturday July 30th as well as her event series with Rumbón de la Calle on August 28th and September 25th.
For the third year, Pittsburgh based singer-songwriter, LoRen is bringing diverse musicians from across the city together to play their original works on one stage. She took time out of her busy schedule to chat with Kamera Dorsey about the hardships of being a musician, the importance of embracing diversity in your craft and why she believes performing your own music is the key to originality. On Friday August 5th LoRen will be hosting NO COVERS, which is a live music experience unlike any other that showcases the original music and stories of a variety of Pittsburgh-based artists. For more information, https://www.nocoverspgh.com
The saxophones of the East Winds Symphonic Band conclude the 2022 City of Pittsburgh Office and Special Events Bach, Beethoven and Brunch concert series this Sunday, 10:30am at Mellon Park. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with East Winds band member Ed Dzenis about what people can expect at the concert.
On this episode, Avery Barrera sits down with salsa musician Noel Quintana. The two sit down and discuss love of the conga, musical inspirations, and what it means to be a salsa artist in Pittsburgh.
Brian Gurley Organist and Choir Director at St Paul Cathedral in Oakland joins Jim Cunningham and the Associate Organist at St John the Divine in New York Daniel Ficarri to talk about his two recitals in Pittsburgh. July 20th on Youtube from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St Clair and Sunday July 23 3:30pm at St Paul Cathedral. Bach is on the program and Daniel’s own transcription of the Grieg Holberg Suite, Leon Boellman and more. What it’s like working with the head of the Juilliard Organ Department Paul Jacobs. best place to find a bite to eat in Morningside, one of the world’s largest cathedrals designed by Ralph Adams Cram and why it remains unfinished ,growing up in Franklin Park, how the church is working to diversify its reach and much more in this conversation.
On this episode, Flora Kelly speaks with Matthew Mantini, a rising senior at Indiana University of Pennsylvania who is double majoring in music education and composition. They dive into topics such as the importance of teachers learning to evolve alongside their students, what inspired Matthew to begin composing, what makes the music department at IUP unique, and what changes the classical world could benefit from. An original composition by Matthew titled “Remember” is featured towards the end of the program. You can also check out a video version of the piece via the YouTube link below, performed by IUP students Sabrina Long (mezzo-soprano), and Teryl Austin Rice (pianist): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AruTnnrWaO8
Clem Rolin, Conductor of the West Hills Symphonic Band joins Jim Cunningham and oboe Bill Lewis to reveal the plan for Bach Beethoven and Brunch on Sunday July 24, 2022 at 10:30 in Mellon Park. A quintet will play on the first half followed by a Dixieland style jazz band on the second. Clem and Bill describe their rich experience with music including a significant career in computing for Bill with playing the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra and more and 34 years in the public schools plus more than a decade with the Robert Morris University marching band for Clem. Who was Bill Lewis first high school teacher of music? Clem Rolin.
It's back! Ron Carnevali talks about this year's Ameriserv Flood City Music Festival, featuring the Spin Doctors and Railroad Earth and the headliners. The Festival takes place July 29th and 30th at People's Natural Gas Park. Ron talks about specifics about the festival including where to park, how to get tickets and some of the musicians he's looking forward to hearing. He says folks from Johnstown head to Pittsburgh all the time for events and thinks the Festival is great reason to make the trip from Pittsburgh to Johnstown. MORE INFORMATION
Brian Gurley, organist and Director of Music at St Paul Cathedral in Oakland, joins his predecessor Donald Fellows to talk about the first concert in the free summer organ recital series on July 17 at 3:30 pm. They talk with Jim Cunningham about the world famous Rudolf von Beckerath organ and the history of people who have played it. Also on the list of topics is the lineup of concerts this season and what Don is up to in retirement in Fredonia, New York where he had studied earlier in his career.
Flora Kelly talks with Amelia Van Howe, an Oboist for Aeolian Winds. She gives a preview of what to expect from their upcoming performance at Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch, and talks about what makes both listening to and being a part of a wind quintet such a unique musical experience. You can attend the Aeolian Winds performance for free at Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch this Sunday, July 17th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Mellon Park.
Flora Kelly speaks with Jim Muchony, Business Manager and Executive Director of the Allegheny Brass Band. Jim fills us in on what we can expect at their upcoming performance at Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch on July 10th. He also gives some background on the folks that make up the band, and why they do the work that they do. You can catch their performance this Sunday, July 10th from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mellon Park. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets, and come on out for some free music!
Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble Executive Artistic Director Kevin Noe and Company manager Lindsey Kesselman who also sings soprano with PNME stopped by to provide a preview of each concert in their July season which begins on the 8th and ends on the 31st at the City Theatre‘s main stage on the SouthSide. It’s the Theater of Music where you’ll want to wear headphones for the full experience and stay afterward to talk it over. MORE INFORMATION ON JULY SEASON
John Robbins, WQED-FM Intern, interviews Doug Meagher in this episode of the Voice of the Arts. Doug is portraying Macbeth in Band of Brothers production of Shakespeare's Macbeth. The production will be held in Stackhouse Park in Johnstown, PA as a part of Band of Brothers 31st season. The production runs July 14th-16th and 20th-23rd. MORE INFORMATION
The University of Pittsburgh presents a "Concert of Ukrainian Words and Music" on Thursday July 7th, 7pm at the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Katie Manukyan, Robert Frankenberry and Adriana Helbig about the concert.
A musical romp from Baroque to Broadway featuring vocals by Lara Lynn McGill and piano virtuoso, Dr. Thanakarn “Bank” Limtham takes place at the Church of the Ascension on Sunday July 10th at 3pm. They stopped by to talk about the concert with Jim Cunningham and performed three pieces in our studio.
Pittsburgh Festival Opera Artistic Director Marianne Cornetti stopped by WQED-FM to chat with Anna Singer about their summer offerings. It includes a recital by Marianne Cornetti on July 1st, "Divas After Dark" on July 2nd; Menotti's comic opera "The Telephone" on July 3rd and 5th and more.
Jim Cunningham sits down with Artistic Director Daniel Meyer and Executive Director Natalie Kasievich of the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra's upcoming Independence Day-themed July 3rd concert, as well as their plans for the fall season are discussed. You can visit westmorelandsymphony.org to learn more about the organization and their upcoming events!
Eric Crosby, the Henry J Heinz Director of the Museum of Art at the Carnegie, discusses with Jim Cunningham The 58th Carnegie International, which will run from September 24th, 2022 through April 2nd, 2023. The exhibit brings together new commissions, existing works, and projects by established and emerging artists working internationally, domestically, and locally. This edition of the Carnegie International is special and unique in that it is more globally representative than any International before it. Like Eric's vision of the museum itself, Sohrab Mohebbi’s curatorial approach considers artists’ solidarity, artists’ responsiveness to world events, and shows how art can bring people together. The artist list reflects the expansiveness of the curatorial platform they are evolving at Carnegie Museum of Art. In addition to the artist list, the title of the exhibition: “Is it morning for you yet?"
On this episode, Flora Kelly sat down with Joseph Figliulo and Gabrielle Baum. Joseph, who is a trumpet player with the Shadyside Brass, gives us a peek at what to expect from their upcoming performance at Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch, shares his journey as a musician, and talks a little about an upcoming CD the group plans to release. Gabriel talks about her move from California to Pennsylvania, her efforts to highlight women composers and musicians of color in classical performances, and her work as an audio engineer contributing to organizations like Shadyside Brass. Join us for Shadyside Brass's performance at Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch this Sunday, June 26th at 10:30am at Mellon Park!
The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director James Blachly joins Jim Cunningham to discuss their concert at the Johnstown airport June 26 with music made famous by Jefferson Airplane, Gonna Fly Now from the film Rocky, music from Top Gun and Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony along with a word about upcoming events for the Fourth of July and the fall season along with thoughts about the visit by organist Paul Jacobs to play the Saint Saens Organ symphony in the Spring season.
On this episode, we sat down with Katya Janpoladyan and Maureen Conlon Gutiérrez co-directors of the Pittsburgh Perspectives Festival. Through this festival, Katya and Maureen seek to bring music created by female composers and composers of color to the forefront, allowing people access to a far more diversified look at the genre than is typically experienced. The driving vision behind the festival, what attendees can expect, and the future of classical music are all topics discussed. The festival will begin Tuesday, June 21st and run through Sunday, June 26th.
Walter Morales of the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra stopped by WQED-FM to talk about their Bach, Beethoven and Brunch performance on Sunday June 19th from 10:30am until noon at Mellon Park in Shadyside. Walter talks about the program, playing outside, and the concerts they're giving this summer.
Kristen Linfante, Executive Director of Chamber Music Pittsburgh, discusses the 60th anniversary celebration with the Dover Quartet June 26 playing Amy Beach and Beethoven in a new venue This Is Red with a focus on the young people who are helped by Chamber Music Pittsburgh enjoying use of an instrument lending library and instruction from Hope Academy. Also cause for happiness is a move to a new concert hall, the PNC Theater at Point Park University downtown, three Just Summer concerts, Pittsburgh Performs and much more. The tickets for the gala are somewhat pricey given that so many Chamber Music Pittsburgh events are free or very inexpensive but the 60th anniversary is once in a lifetime and you are helping the next generation become turned on to the power of music. Kristen tells Jim Cunningham she hopes you will stretch the budget and join her June 26.
James Gourlay, Music Director and CEO of the River City Brass, joins Flora Kelly to discuss the upcoming performance by the River City Brass at Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch on Sunday, June 12th 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Further plans for the year with the band, as well as Mr. Gourlay's work with Duquesne University are also discussed.
Sarah Aziz, Director of the Three Rivers Arts Festival, speaks with WQED-FM intern Flora Kelly about this year's arts festival, and what she loves most about the work that she does. The Three Rivers Arts Festival is taking place from Friday, June 3rd, through Sunday, June 12th in the cultural district of downtown Pittsburgh.
Colin Aikins , tenor, presents his Senior Recital June 8 at 7pm in a free concert at Carnegie Hall in Oakland which he previews with Jim Cunningham. Colin is on to Juilliard in New York next year after completing his degree at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He has invited soprano Sarah Fleiss to sing Monteverdi with him. She is also a singer from the vocal department at Curtis and also studies with Julia Faulkner of Chicago Lyric Opera.. Mezzo Soprano Alexandria Zallo will join in the program and the accompanist is Djordje Nesic pianist. Colin is a Central Catholic graduate who has won fans in western Pennsylvania including soprano Marianne Cornetti. He has performed at the Aspen Music Festival and in Europe at Salzburg, at Chautauqua, Las Vegas and other cities along the way winning multiple awards at prestigious competitions..The plan for the program is operatic dazzlers, favorite Italian songs by Tosti and Cole Porter at the end of the evening.
Wayne Brinda of Prime Stage Theatre, and formerly Pittsburgh Playhouse Jr. sits down with John Robbins, WQED Intern, to discuss their new program, Prime Stage Sprouts. The new program opens with a production of The Amazing Lemonade Girl. This production is based on the real story of Alexandra Scott. She suffered from a rare disease but decided to not let that bring her down and she was able to help many kids just like her. The running of this show is June 16th-19th at the New Hazlett Theater.
Emmy Award winning producer Beth Dolinar joins Bryan Perry, Executive Director of the Great Allegheny Passage and Jim Cunningham to discuss events relating to the screenings of the new documentary "The Great Ride Landmarks Along the Trail," which airs on WQED June 16th at 8pm. Recently praised by the New York Times and other national media, the trail continues to generate tourism in the bicycle route from Pittsburgh to Washington DC. Three screenings with questions and answers from the principals will celebrate the film closing with Confluence, PA and Frostburg, Maryland.
Edward Leonard conducts the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh with Jennifer Roig Francoli playing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons plus Grieg and Hugo Wolf’s Italian Serenade at Rodef Shalom’s Levy Hall Saturday June 4th at 7pm. Executive Director Andrew Swenson joins Jennifer and Maestro Leonard to talk with Jim Cunningham about her teachers Josef Gingold and Nathan Milstein and introduce her new cd with music by Bach, Enesco, and Fritz Kreisler.
June 17th through July 2nd at the Carnegie Stage in Carnegie, PA, "Not My Revolution" is a one woman play created by Elizabeth Huffman and directed by Louanne Moldovan. The play was inspired by the 1967 Josef Bush play "French Gray." "Not My Revolution" travels back and forth in time between Marie Antoinette’s imprisonment during the French Revolution in 1793 and a ghetto in Istanbul in 2011 where a once wealthy Syrian art dealer is struggling to survive catastrophic losses due to the civil war in her country. Elizabeth tells her story to Jim Cunningham with her work around the globe and concentration in creating companies in Los Angeles and New York. In LA, she acted and directed with the Classical Theatre Lab. In 2005, she former her own company ICAP, with over 40 classically trained actors from around the world. In 2009, Elizabeth began working for two years as Interim Artistic Director for Classic Greek Theater of Oregon in Portland. Elizabeth has family ties to the Mon Valley and has returned home recently with hopes of contributing to the local scene. More information from Carnegie Stage
As Assistant Conductor, Ryan Keeling prepared the Mendelssohn Choir for the Beethoven Ninth Symphony with Manfred Honeck in their most recent performances bringing to a grand conclusion the Pittsburgh Symphony Beethoven in Your Neighborhood project of presenting all nine Beethoven Symphonies in various venues in a single week. The sold out concert at Heinz Hall and the repeat performance at St Vincent’s Basilica in Latrobe followed in the path of the Grammy nominated Reference recording. Ryan tells Jim Cunningham about keeping the Honeck ideas in place and the special nature of his Viennese style Beethoven. Ryan Keeling also discussed upcoming Mendelssohn concerts and the work he does in Mount Lebanon at church and with his Voces Solis ensemble. The Beethoven Ninth will be broadcast June 2 at 7pm on WQED-FM.
"Brand New Way" is the Spring concert at Heinz Hall of the Three Rivers Young People's Orchestra conducted by Brian Worsdale and Pierce Cook who leads the Symphonette. The free concert May 28 5pm at Heinz Hall brings Pittsburgh Symphony violinist Irene Cheng to play the Sibelius Suite and the orchestra will present the Pines of the Appian Way from Pines of Rome by Respighi. Paul Evans has the percussion ensemble, Rebecca May is featured, Rebecca Mack is the Concerto Competition winner with Richard Strauss, Dr Zuly Inirio from Unisound and the Black Teaching Artist in Residence program sings Lift Every Voice, Hannah Ishizaki returns to conduct a new favorite she has written-- Miniatures. Jim Cunningham speaks with Executive Director Lindsey Nova and Pierce Cook who also teaches at Mount Lebanon High School and is giving Beethoven talks for the Beethoven String Quartets in the Carnegie Library project of the Pittsburgh Symphony.
Carnegie Museum of Art Director of Education and Public Programs, Dana Bishop-Root, talks about "Inside Out" - CMOA's free outdoor summer event series. Inside Out takes place from Saturday, June 4 through Saturday, August 13 in the museum’s Sculpture Court in an immersive pavilion by artist Rafael Domenech, commissioned for the 58th Carnegie International. Interview with WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham. Learn more about "Inside Out"
Resonance Works is thrilled to close its ninth season with a long-awaited production of Giuseppe Verdi’s heartbreaking opera masterpiece "Rigoletto." Vibrating with emotion, "Rigoletto" is a timeless tale about fate and revenge. Rigoletto tries to protect his pure-hearted daughter Gilda, but when she falls for an infamous Duke in disguise, she encounters a treacherous world of privilege and power. This beloved tragedy has been reimagined by acclaimed stage director Mo Zhou, who updates the story to the glamour and sleaze of 1930s Hollywood, bringing Gilda’s experience into sharp focus. In the studio, Anna Singer spoke with Baritone Andrew Cummings who is taking on the role of Rigoletto, and Venezuelan soprano Maria Brea, making her role and Resonance Works debut as Gilda. Maria Sensi Sellner - conductor was a part of the conversation.
Maxwell King and Louise Lippincott discuss with Jim Cunningham their book "American Workman: The Life and Art of John Kane," published by the University of Pittsburgh Press in April 2022. The Pittsburgh based artist was self-taught, an outsider from traditional art circles. Kane was a coal miner, steel worker, a house painter and a rail car painter who created beautiful landscape paintings while boxing, drinking too much and working till the end in 1934. Louise retired as Curator at the Carnegie Museum of Art in 2017 and Maxwell enjoyed success with his biography of Fred Rogers after his career at the top of the Heinz and Pittsburgh Foundations and a distinguished career in newspapers including at the Philadelphia Enquirer. The two describe how they got the book underway, the value of Kane paintings today, where they can be found, what the must see paintings are, why more Pittsburgh art fans don't know him, whether he was the second most famous Pittsburgh based 20th century artist after Andy Warhol with observations on the success of the Fred Rogers book, whether Louise still plans on writing the trashy novel she had in mind after the rich career she enjoyed in the art world, Kane's radio and music listening and the upcoming Kane exhibits at the Heinz History center and elsewhere.
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center announced that Amanda Van Story will star in the upcoming adaptation of SONG FROM THE UPROAR: THE LIVES AND DEATHS OF ISABELLE EBERHARDT, the first Black woman to perform in the lead role. I spoke with Amanda about the challenges and rewards of doing a production produced and led by women. The chamber opera, the premiere work produced in the AWAACC B.U.I.L.D. (Build, Utilize, Inform, Lead, and Develop) program, tells the boundary-breaking life story of Swiss explorer and writer, Isabelle Eberhardt, who traveled to and lived in Algeria disguised as a man, survived an assassination plot and suicide pacts, only to succumb to a desert flood. Composer Missy Mazzoli with a libretto by Royce Vavrek and Mazzoli.
Long time Boston Symphony librarian John Perkel tells Jim Cunningham about his presentation in concert of a new piece of music for strings written by Leonard Bernstein as a student at Harvard at age 18. It was recorded for broadcast on Boston's WCRB in April of 2022 and will be heard in streaming audio on May 22. John Perkel retired in 2017 after more than two decades with the orchestra. John has many ties to Pittsburgh including the Pittsburgh Symphony's former CEO Gideon Toeplitz and Michael Bielski COO and Senior Vice President who he has known since childhood. Michael now serves as chair of the Community Advisory Board for WQED. John remembers visits by Mariss Jansons and Lorin Maazel to Tanglewood and Symphony Hall with great pleasure. He also recalls the work of Pittsburgh Symphony Music Director William Steinberg in Boston and the contribution of former Pittsburgh cellist Owen Young.
Emmy Award winning WQED producer Beth Dolinar who also publishes a regular column in the Washington Observer discusses the free public screening of "A Season to Remember: The Baseball Boys of Mon City" at Ringgold Middle School on May 25th, 2022. Beth is joined by Laura Magone, President of the Monongahela Area Historical Society, and Founder and Administrator of the Facebook Wedding Cookie Table Community, She holds the Guinness Book of World Records award for the largest cookie table. Laura will join in presenting baseball themed cookies as part of the evening. Laura discusses her work that has resulted in a Facebook community of nearly 100,000 friends and an article in the New York Times. Did the tradition of the cookie table start with Italians in Pittsburgh or with central European immigrants in Youngstown, Ohio? Laura has the answer. Ringgold graduate David Solomon, Vice President of Production at WQED, serves as Master of Ceremonies and a panel discussion which includes local historian Scott Frederick will consider the director's cut with never-before-seen additional footage from the film. "A Season to Remember" tells the story of the 1952 team from Monongahela in Washington County that would make it to the final game of the Little League World series. It was the first and only time a Pittsburgh area team would do so.
The Artistic Director of Pittsburgh Festival Opera, Marianne Cornetti, has the details on the "Legends in the Limelight" Concert at Carnegie Music Hall on May 22nd at 4pm with Metropolitan Opera soprano Marjorie Owens and pianist Ellen Rissinger. Marianne describes the pleasures of an up close and personal song recital and the masterpieces that Marjorie will sing by Wagner and more. There's a reception after where you can meet the artist.
Pittsburgh Symphony Principal Oboe and CMU Faculty member Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida has organized a benefit for the victims of the war in Ukraine taking place Tuesday May 17th with 17 musicians from the faculty. The concert takes place in the Kresge Theater with guest Don Marinelli and more. Cynthia tells Jim Cunningham how to help and the complete rundown of music and musicians for the event.
At the conclusion of our live broadcast of the Heinz Chapel Choir Spring concert on April 24, 2022, WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke to the Director of Heinz Chapel Choir, Dr. Susan Rice, and Emily Sweat, a member of the Choir and the announced recipient of the John Goldsmith Award for Choral Excellence.
Jan Kraybill makes her Organ Artists Series debut Sunday May 15th, 3pm at East liberty Presbyterian Church. The Director of Music at East Liberty, Edward Alan Moore, joins his guest to talk with Jim Cunningham about the program. The Funeral march of a marionetts by Gounod in a transcription is part of the plan having been nominated for a Grammy Award. Jan Kraybill will utilize the special features of the instrument as she explains. She also tells us about riding her Harley Davidson, her passion for antiqueing, the arts scene in Kansas City, and the Audiorium Organ.
Brian Gurley is the Director of Music and organist at St Paul Cathedral where he oversees the recital series which features Ahreum Han on Friday evening May 6 at St Paul playing the Beckerath organ. She and Brian joined Jim Cunningham to preview the event and the series. They both offer suggestions for how the organ can remain relevant in the world of flashing screens and electronics that compete for attention with Bach and Widor. Brian is back at home in Western pa having started his organ training at Grove City College then on to Notre Dame and University of Wisconsin and Ahreum relates her path from Korea to Curtis in Philadelphia, Westminster Choir College, Yale and now serving at First Presbyterian of Fort Worth Texas as Director of Music and Organist.
The Kathe and Jim Patrinos Curator of the 58th Carnegie International, Sohrab Mohebbi, visited WQED-FM to speak with Jim Cunningham about the first round of commissions and partnerships including the Berlin based collective terra0 which has proposed an augmented tree that owns its land; Pittsburgh born artist James “YaYa” Hough will paint a mural for the Hill District; Cuban American artist Rafael Domenech will begin the summer season June 4th with a pavilion housed in the museum’s sculpture courtyard; and artist Tony Cokes will create work for the Carnegie International on four digital billboards along Route 28. There will also be art seen for the first time in the US from the Museo de la Solidaridad Salvador Allende. Sohrab tells his story beginning in Iran and suggesting ideas to Carnegie Museum of Art Director Eric Crosby with observations on how museums stay relevant today and making certain that Pittsburghers own one of the oldest and most comprehensive exhibits of new art in the world.
Foodies who care will gather again under the stars to support Crisis Center North (CCN) at its signature fundraiser, Cocktails & Cuisine. The outdoor sipping and grazing event marks its 15th year on Friday, May 13, at The Woodlands. I spoke with Jessica Lee who will be performing throughout the evening with guitarist Mark Strickland. There is also a Chef Showdown with Chef Emily Larsen from Spilling the Soup and Chef Christopher Galarza from Forward Dining Solutions. Go to CrisisCenterNorth.com/events for tickets.
Pianist Nanette Kaplan has devised a grand finale for the Tuesday Musical Club season with Poulenc’s Aubade, a Beethoven Serenade and some true rarities Tuesday May 10 at 1` pm in Rodef Shalom Temple’s Levy Hakk. The concert is free. Nannette tells Jim Cunningham what to check out from some of her cds and has the details on the program and the musicians who will play.
Producer Dorie Taylor and Yu Ling Cheng Behr, Co Producer and Kidsburgh Ambassador, are the power behind Remake Learning Days with a wide range of events for parents, caregivers and young people now through May 23. They focus on arts events that are free and personal favorites they would love to see you enjoy complete with the WQED Writers Contest and Puppet Show on May 14th. How did they wind up as advocates for kids having studied at an advanced level in the business world. They reveal the journey to Jim Cunningham.
Swan Lake wraps up the season for Pittsburgh Ballet Theater with eight performances at the Benedum with orchestra. Debuting in this new production is original choreography from Artistic Director Susan Jaffe, a seasoned and celebrated Swan Queen herself. Ms. Jaffe first danced the role of Odette-Odile for American Ballet Theatre at the age of 19 and gave a performance that The New York Times called, “a beautiful triumph.” She danced the role every year of her 22-year illustrious career, including international performances.
Anna Singer spoke with International soprano Takesha Meshé Kizart-Thomas, who makes her Pittsburgh debut in a one-night-only concert of opera, art song, jazz, and more. Praised by critics worldwide for her vocally compelling performances, Kizart-Thomas brings her versatility as a classical, jazz, soul, and pop vocal soloist to this program celebrating the significant contributions of women artists. Resonance Works' "The Phenomenal Woman" will feature arias honoring the dramatic heroines of the opera stage portrayed by such artists as Shirley Verrett, Leontyne Price, and Jessye Norman, jazz standards popularized by the “First Lady of Song” Ella Fitzgerald, art songs by contemporary Black women composers, and new pieces commissioned and created by Kizart-Thomas. Presented in the intimate setting of Oakland’s Mellon Institute Auditorium, this concert is a powerful testament to the women who shaped music during the 20th century.
Laurie Moser, Co-Chair of the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, joins Shelly Schmidt of WQED Education who directs the Writers Contest and Jim Cunningham. They'll be together May 14th in East Liberty for the event. It's a free featuring over thirty authors with a tie to Pittsburgh. There's a puppet play created for the occasion, events at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater including Deanna Witkowski, author of a book about Mary Lou Williams, plus Creative Non Fiction mainstay Lee Gutkind discusses his work and career summary book. You'll find Pittsburgh history and fiction, events for kids, and investigate multiple venues Duolingo and the Maverick, Carnegie Library, East Liberty Presbyterian and Bakery Square among them. More about the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books
This Saturday, in Hicks Memorial Chapel, Chatham Baroque and Renaissance and Baroque present East of the River who will give two performances - 5pm and 8pm. East of the River performs music from Jewish and Ottoman traditions of the 13th through 18th centuries. Listeners will hear Hebrew, Arabic, and Ladino (Medieval Judaeo-Spanish) in this program consisting of songs and dances from liturgical and folk traditions, and will hear examples of classical instrumental music from the Ottoman court as well. East of the River member Daphna Mor spoke with WQED-FM's Anna Singer about the concert.
Author of The Comedy of Charlie Chaplin: Artistry in Motion, Dan Kamin trained Robert Downey, Jr. for his Oscar-nominated performance in CHAPLIN. On April 16th, Charlie Chaplin’s birthday, there was a special screening and live presentation celebrating one of his most beloved films - "The Kid." In THE KID at 100, renowned mime and comedy choreographer Dan Kamin reveals what keeps this film fresh, funny and incredibly moving to this day. Dan stopped by WQED-FM to talk with Anna Singer about the event.
The Carnegie Museum of Art film series, presented in connection to the "Working Thought" exhibition, brings Braddock native Tony Buba to the Museum theater May 21st at 1:30pm in a free screening of "Lightning over Braddock" - his groundbreaking documentary which has been released on DVD with his short films and proven influential for Michael Moore and the Daily Show and countless documentarians. He will be introduced by Edith Abeyta, installation artist and Carnegie Museum regular who has worked with Tony to stop fracking environmental destruction and bring art to library users in Hazelwood and elsewhere. Tony talks about his film, his brother Pat, his association with German film legend Werner Herzog, working with George Romero, the movie Martin which starred Lorin Maazel’s Dad Lincoln, the Zombie phenomenon, his WQED start and the state of Braddock today in this wide ranging discussion with Jim Cunningham. After the screening, there will be a reception to celebrate Tony's 50th year as a filmmaker in the museum's outdoor Sculpture Court. All are welcome. More information is available here - https://cmoa.org/event/lightning-over-braddock
Lucy Stewart, the Associate Curator of Education for Carnegie Museum of Art, discusses the Mindful Museum effort at the CMOA with Jim Cunningham involving early Wednesday morning admission designed for art lovers 55 and up encouraging fitness in the museum among the masterpieces. You can speak with docents and listen on your phone to learn more about art while adding some steps to your daily goal with no one to hurry you along. There is chair and wheelchair yoga and the Cafe opens early with a discount.
Pittsburgh Opera concludes it's 2021-2022 Season with the powerful opera "Blue" at the August Wilson African-America Cultural Center April 23rd through May 1st. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with the librettist and Stage Director Tazewell Thompson about background of the opera, his eagerness to return to Pittsburgh after having great success with one of his plays at City Theater, working with Glimmerglass Opera to write the opera and more.
Pittsburgh Opera concludes it's 2021-2022 Season with the powerful opera "Blue" at the August Wilson African-America Cultural Center April 23rd through May 1st. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Kenneth Kellogg, who sings the role of the Father, about the opera, his character, getting insights on his role by talking to an actual police officer and more.
Pittsburgh Opera concludes it's 2021-2022 Season with the powerful opera "Blue" at the August Wilson African-America Cultural Center April 23rd through May 1st. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Briana Elyse Hunter, who sings the role of The Mother, about the opera, the opening scene she has with her girlfriends, how the opera has affected her and more.
Pittsburgh Opera concludes it's 2021-2022 Season with the powerful opera "Blue" at the August Wilson African-America Cultural Center April 23rd through May 1st. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with conductor Glenn Lewis about the opera, it's orchestration, performing at the August Wilson Center and more.
Jim Cunningham spoke with Mattress Factory Senior Archivist Sarah Hallet and Digitization Archivist Sinéad Bligh. Over the last two years, the Mattress Factory has worked to digitize the Greer Lankton Archive in a project funded through the Council on Library and Information Resources and in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh. The online finding aid is the culmination of this work and will make publicly accessible Lankton’s artistic development, artwork and exhibitions, along with her relationships to her friends and contemporaries, including Nan Goldin, David Wojnarowicz and Peter Hujar. The Greer Lankton Archive is an assemblage of over 15,000 materials collected from the work of artist Greer Lankton, a significant and underrecognized artist in the radical art scene of New York City’s East Village during the 1980s. Lankton’s exhibitions and performances included those at PS1, Club 57, Pyramid Club, Franklyn Furnace, Civilian Warfare Gallery, Hal Bromm Gallery and the Whitney Biennial NYC. She also exhibited across the US and Europe, including in the UK, Austria and the Venice Biennale. This April, the Mattress Factory presents “It's All About Greer Lankton,” a FREE event series leading up to the launch of an online finding aid to celebrate the famed artist Greer Lankton. The series will culminate in Greer’s Birthday Bash on April 21st - what would have been Greer's 64th birthday. This free community day will mark the official launch of the Greer Lankton Collection Finding Aid. Admission to the Museum is free all day, with events and programming taking place from 3-7 PM. They also spoke about the latest exhibits at the archive, the café and shop and new coffee and restaurant additions to the cultural scene on the North Side.
Elizabeth Barker, the Executive Director of the Frick Art and Historical Center, discusses the excitement over bringing the two paintings together in the exhibit "Slay: Artemisia Gentileschi and Kehinde Wiley." Elizabeth Barker shares with Jim Cunningham her excitement over the plans for music in the outdoors this summer, including a Juneteenth concert and much more.
Dawn Brean, the Chief Curator and Director of Collections at the Frick Art and Historical Center, joins Kilolo Luckett - Guest Curator - to discuss the exhibit "Slay: Artemisia Gentileschi and Kehinde Wiley" - bringing together the two artists painting the same subject of Judith decapitating Holofernes with a sword and in the painting becoming a world wide feminist icon and inspiring numerous other artists to create work on the topic.
Brian Gilling, pianist and Co-Director of the new music ensemble Nat28 with Daniel Nesta Curtis, tells Jim Cunningham about the concert bringing the group back to the stage at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater on Saturday April 16th, 7pm with the Pittsburgh Composers Project. Who plays in the group, what composers will be heard, why you should visit, what the name means. It's all in this podcast. More information about the concert
James Blachly conducts the Johnstown Symphony and pianist Michelle Cann in the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 on Saturday April 9th, 7:30pm in the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center. Michelle teaches at Curtis as the Eleanor Sokoloff Chair and is one of the musicians most knowledgeable regarding composer and pianist Florence Price. She talks about Rachmaninoff, Price, getting more people of color in to the classical music world, and much more in this conversation with Jim Cunningham.
Quantum Theatre presents "Plano" at Bakery Square. Company founder Karla Boos has the backstory of happening playwright Will Arbery’s provocative writing about three sisters and their relationships. Funny and darkly ironic, in step with current events with a terrific cast and Quantum magic touches. Where to park, where to eat, and what to wear - Karla has the details. Karla Boos also provides the scoop on the opera production at the Byham next October and the collaboration with a world class cast of singers and Chatham Baroque. More information about the show Watch "Quantum Theatre" on Pittsburgh 360
Jennifer Kloetzel, long time cellist in the Cypress Quartet, has recorded a 3-cd set of the complete music for cello by Beethoven at the Skywalker Sound Studio in Marin County with pianist Robert Koenig on the Avie label. She has studied the original manuscripts and the existing recordings while teaching in Santa Barbara. She loved her trips to Pittsburgh as she explained to Jim Cunningham why the ensemble decided to call it quits. Jennifer also has some coffee suggestions for visitors to the city by the bay.
This Saturday (4/2) at 8pm and Sunday (4/3) at 2:30pm, Chatham Baroque presents Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater" with guest artists Pascale Beaudin, soprano; Reginald Mobley, countertenor; Cynthia Black, violin; Kristen Linfante, viola; and Adam Pearl, chamber organ. The concerts take place at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Chatham Baroque violinist Andrew Fouts and soprano Pascale Beaudin stopped by WQED-FM to talk with Anna Singer about the concerts.
On March 27th, 2022, organist Adam Brakel played a recital at Pleasant Hills Presbyterian Church. Adam spoke with WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham about the recital, his background and more.
Fanya Lin makes her Pittsburgh debut for the Steinway Society of Western Pa Sunday in Kresge Theater at CMU 3pm April 3. Fanya Lin was born in Taipei Taiwan and studied in the US at Juilliard, Weber University and at the University of Minnesota. She worked with Lydia Artimiw and Jerome Lowenthal, was a top prize winner at the Hastings Piano Competition and recently performed with former Pittsburgh Symphony concertmaster Noah Bendix Balgley. She has suggestions for what you should see on Youtube with her Barber, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky, Chopin and Schumann performances. She teaches at the University of Arizona in Tucson. On her concert schedule is a date for a concert at the stadium in Kaosiung Taiwan which the Pittsburgh Symphony and Manfred Honeck opened in 2009. For Pittsburgh, she plays the Schumann Carnaval, Rachmaninoff Corelli Varations and she explains to Jim Cunningham that she met the composer of her opener the Nostalgia Waltz by Wim Statius Muller who was also a spy for NATO. Will China take over Taiwan amid the upheaval and alliance of Russia and China? She shares the concern of the students of history in the conflict of world events but shares music as a means of bringing peace.
The Pittsburgh Savoyards close their 84th season with Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular operetta, The Pirates of Penzance. Performances will be held March 25-27, April 1-3, and April 8-10 2022 at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall in Carnegie, PA. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Production Manager Lynette Garlan and Stage Director Robert Hockenberry about the production.
Opera superstar Marianne Cornetti will return to her alma mater for a special performance to benefit the City Music Center of Duquesne University. "Marianne Cornetti and Friends: A United Way Concert for City Music Center" will be held in PNC Recital Hall on Sunday March 27th at 4pm. During the concert, Cornetti will be joined by pianist David Allen Wehr, dean of music and the Jack W. Geltz Distinguished Piano Chair, alongside students from the Mary Pappert School of Music and the City Music Center. Together, they will perform selections form opera and musical theater. David Allen Wehr and Marianne Cornetti joined WQED-FM's Anna Singer to tell us more about the concert.
The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh presents "Toward the Unknown Region" Saturday April 2, 7:30pm at the Hillman Center for Performing Arts, and Sunday April 3rd, 2:30pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church. This concert will feature two dynamic works for chorus: Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Toward the Unknown Region and Jonathan Dove’s blistering song cycle "The Passing of the Year." Music Director Matthew Mehaffey stopped by WQED-FM to chat with Anna Singer about the concert.
The Butler County Symphony Orchestra concludes it's 2022 season with a semi staged production of the Tony Award winning 1950 classic musical Guys N Dolls by Frank Loesser. Matthew Kraemer conducts and fills us in on the joy of working with the Musical Theatre Guild of Butler.
Theodossis Isaias, Associate Curator of the Heinz Architectural Center at Carnegie Museum of Art, talks about artist Zoe Zenghelis with her first American solo show in Pittsburgh and her visit to discuss her work with an April Pittsburgh gathering of architects from around the globe. Theo discusses his recent appointment in Pittsburgh and work at MIT, Yale, and in his native Greece. Theo describes Zoe’s work, her relevance to the world of today, her political thought, educational influence and collaboration with world renowned architects such as Rem Koolhas in this interview with Jim Cunningham.
March 26th through April 3rd, Pittsburgh Opera present's Bizet's "Carmen" at the Benedum Center. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Scott Quinn, the production's "Don Jose." He talks about his character being a pretty messed up guy, growing up in Texas, and more.
The Carnegie Mellon Chamber Series presents violinist Alexi Kenney with pianist Dimitri Papadimitriou on Tuesday March 22nd, 7:30pm in a free concert with limited seating and live YouTube streaming. Jessie Montgomery's Rhapsody No. 1, John Adams' "Road Movies," and Dvorak's Piano Quartet No. 2 are on the program. Alexi talks about his latest recordings, his Bartok Concerto he’ll play in May with the Pittsburgh Symphony, his recipe for lumberjack cake and whether he’s still interested in the job of Pittsburgh Symphony concertmaster in this conversation with Jim Cunningham recorded in the CMU recording studio March 21st 2022.
March 26th through April 3rd, Pittsburgh Opera present's Bizet's "Carmen" at the Benedum Center. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Pittsburgh Opera's Music Director Antony Walker about this production, why he loves "Carmen" so much, and more in this conversation.
March 26th through April 3rd, Pittsburgh Opera present's Bizet's "Carmen" at the Benedum Center. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with mezzo-soprano Zanda Svede about singing the title role, why she still enjoys singing this role, growing up in Latvia, and much more.
March 26th through April 3rd, Pittsburgh Opera present's Bizet's "Carmen" at the Benedum Center. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Stage Director Garnett Bruce about this production, why he's doing a version using dialogue, how Bizet died thinking the opera was a failure, and more.
Unisound is a hub for unifying Youth Music Organizations with a Black Teaching Artist Residence Program. Each year starting in November, the Teaching Artists put together a workshop, recital or lecture. Hear all about it with Jim Cunningham and the artists for this season.
The trumpet studio at Duquesne University working with the Pittsburgh Symphony's Chad Winkler is off to San Antonio Texas where they will share their performance of the Glinka Rusland and Ludmila Overture arranged for brass by Erik Morales. They explain what is happening with the Guild, their studio, provide brass talk about mouthpieces and manufacturers, what it's like to be a woman in a musical world traditionally filled with men and the players they admire in the orchestral world. You can support their crowd funding effort with a link and video on the Duquesne Music website. Jim Cunningham learned it is a worthy cause.
The Grammy winning choir The Crossing and their conductor Donald Nally make their Pittsburgh debut Saturday March 26th at 3pm in Shadyside Presbyterian Church. Based in Philadelphia, they have made dozens of recordings with a special focus on living composers but they sing Buxtehude and Hubert Parry. Donald Nally tells Jim Cunningham what to expect including "In a House Besieged" by Stacy Garrup set to a text from Lydia Davis having to do with aging and memory. It will have had the world premiere the previous evening in Cleveland. Also Lansing McLoskey, The Memory of Rain (from The Month of Moderns 2010) from poetry by Philip Levine suggesting that clouds watch us and Arvo Pärt, Salve Regina. Nally explains what the choir is all about and what to listen to in their large catalog of recordings. He has some travel tips for music lovers who visit Philadelphia. His favorite restaurant and museums. But his favorite isn’t Geno’s or Pat’s for steaks. He’s a vegetarian.
Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks presents their first indoor Spring concert with the Complete Works of William Shakespeare ( Abridged) (Revised) starring company founder Jennifer Tober, Stoney Richard and Aaron Crutchfield with Charles Beikert directing. The principal players have a preview of Shakespeare’s most famous lines from the field of battle. The actors share thoughts on the stage setting in the Threadbare Cider and Meadery at 1291 Spring Garden Avenue with Jim Cunningham. Stoney Richards, the longtime host on Y108 is a legend among country music fans. The cast promises the great success of Reduced Shakespeare at Pittsburgh Public Theater will be exceeded with even more laughs. No rodents, insects, or thunderstorms from March 30th through April 9th 2022. Visit pittsburghshakespeare.org for details.
Dr. Susan Medley conducts the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale in "From Pittsburgh to Salzburg" with a preview of the program the tour party will bring to Europe in the summer of 2022. The concerts are March 5th at the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church and March 6th at Ingomar United Methodist Church. A rousing spiritual, Clara Schumann, Mendelssohn and Mozart appear on the program. Where will they sing and what’s involved in taking a tour of 70 across the pond after a pandemic and with the threat of European conflict in the air. Also Mozart at Washington and Jefferson in April with Dr. Medley explaining the plan to Jim Cunningham.
The Carnegie Museum of Art opens their next exhibition, "Working Thought," on March 5th. It includes artwork, films, music, and conversations. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with the Henry J. Heinz II Director of Carnegie Museum of Art, Eric Crosby about the exhibition.
The Tuesday Musical Club presents "Made in Pittsburgh" at Levy Hall of Rodef Shalom Temple organized by Nanette Kaplan Solomon. Ethelbert Nevin, David Stock, Nancy Galbraith and Robert Schulz are the stars at 1pm March 8th. In this conversation, Nanette explains the special nature of the unpublished songs by David Stock and much more talking with Jim Cunningham.
Chamber Orchestra Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Camerata collaborate on two concerts March 5th and 6th at Levy Hall and Shadyside Presbyterian. Argentinian composer Martin Palmeri, a cantata by Felix Mendelssohn, Hear My Prayer; and Villa Lobos with the Bachianas Brasiliera No. 9 with exceptional soloists, bandoneon, piano and a swinging bass from Jeff Mangone. The Camerata's Mark Anderson, also of Shadyside Presbyterian, has prepared the singers. Mark joins Edward Leonard, Artistic Director and Andrew Swensen, Executive Director of the Chamber Orchestra in a conversation with Jim Cunningham.
The Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations recently announced the winners of the 2021 Youth Arts Contest with Vice Chair Tracy Baton and Adjoa Opuku Dakwa from Capa 6th grade, Lucy Ingram, 11 years old in 6th grade from Colfax; Ayah Arafeh (15) in 10th grade from Brashear; Madison Clark from Capa, 9th grade; Hannah Paras (16) from Capa 11th grade; and 11 year old Liban Abdullahi from Pittsburgh King. They were charged with creating an artistic response to the work of the New Pittsburgh Courier and the work the paper has done over more than the last half century to champion human rights. Tracy Baton discusses with Jim Cunningham how the young people of Pittsburgh fit in to the work of the commission and notes the deep connections the participants made to the Courier history in their submissions.
Pianist Matei Varga makes his Pittsburgh debut for the Steinway Society Sunday February 27th at 3pm in the Kresge Hall of CMU. Born in Romania he lives now in New York. Matei talks about his Romanian beginnings, his program for Pittsburgh, George Enescu, Dinu Lipatti and other Romanian composers he has championed plus recording the Heifetz arrangement of White Christmas. Does he listen to the radio? A little. He tells Jim Cunningham there's never enough time to practice. He's now an American citizen and loves living in New York. Recognizing that world events might include Romania in the days to come, he prefers to think about Beethoven.
The Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra presents their next concert at Heinz Hall this Sunday, February 27th at 2pm. The Orchestra will perform Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances, de Falla's Three Cornered Hat, and selections from Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout by Gabriela Lena Frank. New conductor Jacob Joyce is joined by Executive Director William Powers and Program Director Eve Goodman to talk about this concert titled "Three Dances."
Chatham Baroque's next concert, titled "Les Nations" takes place February 25-27 at Westminster Presbyterian Church (2/25) and Calvary Episcopal Church (2/26 & 2/27). The Ensemble will be joined by Caroline Giassi, baroque oboe; Justin Wallace, harpsichord; and Stephen Schultz, baroque flute. WQED-FM's Anna Singer chatted with Stephen from California about this concert, how he got interested in Baroque flute, teaching at CMU and more.
Pittsburgh Opera presents the World Premiere of "In a Grove" by Christopher Cerrone - February 19th through March 3rd at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Stage Director Mary Birnbaum about the opera; her look for the production; working with Christopher Cerrone, and more.
Pittsburgh Opera presents the World Premiere of "In a Grove" by Christopher Cerrone - February 19th through March 3rd at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with the composer about the opera; the inspiration behind the work; how he wants the audience to leave humming tunes from the opera, and more.
Pittsburgh Opera presents the World Premiere of "In a Grove" by Christopher Cerrone - February 19th through March 3rd at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Pittsburgh Opera Music Director Antony Walker about the opera; what it's like conducting a world premiere; the use of electronics in the work and more.
Pittsburgh Opera presents the World Premiere of "In a Grove" by Christopher Cerrone - February 19th through March 3rd at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn about deciding to commission a world premiere; how he met the composer; how he hopes the production will have a life beyond Pittsburgh and more.
The new book "Movement+Music=Medicine" by Dr. Jem Spectar, President of the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown, gathers available research to suggest how dance may help slow the onset of Alzherimer's and Parkinson's disease. He has specific suggestions on how to adhere to a prescription for success after tracing the history of dance and mental health over centuries. Does listening to music reduce the need for psychotropic drugs and does Mozart make you smarter? Dr. Spectar has the answer in this interview with Jim Cunningham. Dr. Spectar also discusses his recent opinion page article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette suggesting how Americans should participate in a Democracy Corps similar to the Peace Corps to help heal the divide in America between rural and urban views which threaten the American way of life. Dr. Spectar is a lawyer and professor who has served institutions in Oregon, Scranton and Princeton. He has been President of UPJ Johnstown for more than a decade presiding over substantial growth of academic programs and facilities.
Pittsburgh Opera presents the World Premiere of "In a Grove" by Christopher Cerrone - February 19th through March 3rd at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with the librettist Stephanie Fleischmann about the opera; her inspiration for the libretto; working with the composer; and more.
Charlene Foggie- Barnett, Community Archivist for the Charles “Teenie” Harris Archive at the Carnegie Museum of Art, discusses the exhibits in the Museum and at the City County Building in downtown Pittsburgh with Jim Cunningham. Topics include Teenie’s special talent, who he photographed and their significance to Pittsburgh and historians, genealogists, filmmakers like Denzel Washington and the producers of "Finding Your Roots" with over 80,000 negatives in the collection. Charles “Teenie” Harris (1908–1998) was the preeminent photographer for The Pittsburgh Courier, one of the nation’s most prominent Black newspapers photographing Pittsburgh’s historic African American community from 1935 to 1975. His archive is one of the most detailed and intimate records of the Black urban experience known today. Charlene discusses her work as archivist studying the photos of Pittsburghers including musicians like Patricia Prattis Jennings who is captured at several places in her career as well as her father who was an important figure at the Pittsburgh Courier. The Teenie Harris gallery at the Carnegie with In Sharp Focus: Charles “Teenie” Harris is open during regular hours at the CMOA. You can visit visit Teenie Harris: The Man Behind the Lens at the City County Building.
Aaron Copland's Lincoln Portrait and Copland Songs sung by Marianne Cornetti with James Gourlay and the Duquesne University Wind Ensemble playing Joseph Wilcox Jenkins American Overture and other American essentials celebrating Presidents Day in a concert at the Andrew Carnegie Library and Music Hall in Carnegie Pa on February 21 at 7pm. The Director of the Music Hall, Heidi Matthews and Jim Cunningham join with one of the greatest internationally recognized sopranos of her generation and one of the greatest tuba virtuosi in the known world also serving as Director of the River City Brass and recently adding his American citizenship top his passport. James Gourlay says "We need this concert as American." Hear why in this Voice of the Arts conversation.
Chamber Music Pittsburgh presents an all Beethoven concert February 5th, 7pm at Rodef Shalom Temple in Levy Hall. Edward Leonard is sharing the podium with Awadagin Pratt who plays and conducts from the keyboard the First Beethoven Piano Concerto. Awadagin joins Executive Director Andrew Swenson and Maestro Leonard plus Jim Cunningham to discuss his early years in Pittsburgh and his work at the University of Cincinnati, the performances he will give of the new Piano Concerto by Jessie Montgomery and the state of people of color in classical music today. Awadagin's dad was a nuclear physicist studying at CMU and his Mom finished a degree at the University of Pittsburgh in social work when he was born. He's played for the Tuesday Musical Club, Chamber Music Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Symphony, still follows the Steelers, and love's his home town even if he can't remember his childhood in East Liberty.
It was elements of the CIA who were responsible for the death of President John F. Kennedy says Dr. Cyril Wecht. He has been certain of it since 1964 and says so again with new evidence in two new books - "The JFK Assassination Dissected: An Analysis by Forensic Pathologist Cyril Wecht with Dawna Kaufman" and "The Life and Deaths of Cyril Wecht: Memoirs of America's Most Controversial Forensic Pathologist," written with WQED Producer Jeff Sewald. Dr. Wecht is the retired Allegheny County Coroner and Medical Examiner who served as County Commissioner, holds degrees in law and medicine, taught at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School and has presided over 21,000 autopsies and written over twenty books. In this conversation with Jim Cunningham Dr. Wecht discusses his violins and holding down the concertmaster's chair in the University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He admired Jascha Heifetz, Zino Francescatti and the greats who appeared under Fritz Reiner and William Steinberg at the Syria Mosque. He marvels at Beethoven writing the Ninth Symphony while deaf and thinks it may have been lead poisoning that killed Ludwig. His criticism of the Warren Commission's findings regarding JFK and the single bullet theory that involved Lee Harvey Oswald as the assassin is pointed and backed up with first-hand knowledge including lunch meetings with Oswald's widow Marina. There must have been three shooters he says. Dr. Wecht is still waiting for the release of documents promised by the Trump and Biden administrations. He knows he ruffled feathers and made enemies along the way, but he had to do it his way. Dr. Wecht's wife, his children and the memories of his parents are what he holds most dear. Will there be a civil war in America? He thinks not, but he is deeply concerned about the health of the political scene in the country he served as a Navy man. At age 91, he is pleased to speak for those who can not tell tales.
Pittsburgh Opera presents David Hertzberg's "The Rose Elf" January 22 through the 30th at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with the opera's conductor, James Lesniak, about the opera's music.
Pianist Orrin Evans headlines the 51st University of Pittsburgh Jazz Seminar celebrating Errol Garner's Centennial starting January 24th with all events aviable for free on Youtube. Orrin Evans will join Nicole Mitchell Ganatt, Director of the Jazz Studies program at Pitt and scholar Irene Monteverde, in a discussion of the jazz business as revealed in the Errol Garner archives at Pitt. Orrin's concert on January 29th includes Jeff Grubbs, bass and James Johnson III, drums. Orrin Evans talks with Jim Cunningham about his love of Garner and the Pitt seminar which he appeared in a few years ago. Orrin says that Pittsburgh is a second home since his wife is from South Park - they had a house in Morningside and he knows many jazz musicians from Pittsburgh. Orrin Evans played at Manchester Craftsman Guild several seasons ago. He's been nominated twice for a Grammy including this year and he's made nearly 30 recordings with his Captain Black Big Band and smaller ensembles. Orrin Evans talks about his mother, an opera singer and his dad, a man of the theater, playwright and professor and how they influenced him. Jazz people in the conversation include Billy Strayhorn, Kenny Barron, Marty Ashby and McCoy Tyner. Orrin explains how the pandemic has shaped his music making and explains his thought that he "prefers to do everything as if it were his last day on earth." The New York Times recently wrote that Orrin Evans is "jazz most resourceful and invigorating contemporary pianist."
Pittsburgh Opera presents David Hertzberg's "The Rose Elf" January 22 through the 30th at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with the opera's Stage Direcctor, Kaley Karis Smith, about the meaning of the opera and how she plans to present the opera to the audience.
Pittsburgh Opera presents David Hertzberg's "The Rose Elf" January 22 through the 30th at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with Andrew Turner, who sings the role of The Beloved.
Pittsburgh Opera presents David Hertzberg's "The Rose Elf" January 22 through the 30th at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with Madeline Ehlinger, who sings the role of The Elf.
Chamber Music Pittsburgh presents a virtual concert recorded in Pittsburgh available February 7th at noon through February 14th - "This is America" with violinist Johnny Gandelsman playing music by Rhiannon Giddens, Tyshawn Sorey, Akshaya Tucker, Christina Courtin, Olivia Davis and a world premiere commissioned for the concert by Ebun Oguntola. Ebun and Johnny join Jim Cunningham to talk about their new piece, "Reflections," and their musical interests. Johnny won a Grammy award for his work with the Silk Road Ensemble. He's played with the Knights and has recorded all the cello suites by Bach on the violin. Ebun is a junior in high school in Syracuse, New York where she has worked with Larry Loh the Music Director of Symphoria. She is a violinist, pianist, composer and conductor who has appeared on From the Top.
Dr. Robert Croan served as professor of voice and Chair of the Department at Duquesne University for four decades alongside his work as music critic for the Post Gazette for 35 years starting in 1964. Robert looks back on his long run in the city in this conversation with Jim Cunningham now that Dr. Croan this fall moved from his Oakland home to his residence in Fort Lauderdale Florida. He still intends to write for the Post Gazette with a mystery novel book review on the way soon and he writes for South Florida publications and others. Born in New York City he is a graduate of Columbia University with a Masters degree there and a PhD. From Boston University. He studied voice with the great Danish tenor Aksel Schiotz and worked with Claudia Pinza and Elizabeth Schwarzkopf. Dr. Croan remembers his first years at the newspaper and his predecessor Donald Steinfirst the long time music critic. H erecalls interviewing Vladimir Horowitz and William Steinberg and how much he enjoyed championing contemporary music.. He has reservations about the years of Andre Previn as Music Director in Pittsburgh but greatly admired Lorin Mazel and Mariss Jansons . He knows he made some enemies with his opinions but says he never intentionally wrote with the intention to cause alarm. He describes the rivalry between the Post Gazette and the Pittsburgh Press as one of the most unpleasant aspects of a job that he loved. He enjoys the cruise experience and takes pride in his 45 plus years as a partner of Michael Feldman. Robert offers his thoughts on the state of music criticism with the perspective of his leadership in the Music Critics Association and the National Association of Teachers of Singers.
The Henry J. Heinz II Director of Carnegie Museum of Art, Eric Crosby, talks with Jim Cunningham about the plans for exhibitions in the year 2022, including Gordon Parks in Pittsburgh,” 1944/1946, running April 30th through August 7th; "Working Thought,” running March 5 through June 26th which examines how 37 contemporary artists have engaged with the history of labor and conditions that structure inequality in contemporary American life; and the Carnegie International running September 24th 2022 through April 2, 2023.
Johnstown Symphony Music Director James Blachly joins Johnstown NAACP President Allan Cashaw and Jim Cunningham to discuss the 37th remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday January 16th at 2pm in Christ Centered Community Church, 531 Somerset Street in Johnstown and available on Zoom through eventbrite. A Johnstown Symphony String Quartet will play music by African American composers in this tribute to Dr. King. The Urgency is Now shirt sales will benefit the effort. James Blachly has the details on the music to be played and Allan fills us in on the church and its community involvement and Dr. King's work as well as the spirit of the work of the NAACP in Johnstown and Allan's career working as a chemist for Johnson and Johnson.
Dr. VRP Herbert Jones conducts the "Let Freedom Sing" concert streaming from the Hill District on Saturday January 15th at 7pm at letfreedomsing.net for free with any free will offering to benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food bank . In this conversation with Jim Cunningham, he explains how it began over 13 years ago and what the program will be like with singers from many choirs and traditions coming together in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior. He suggests the best way to observe MLK Jr. day on Monday and chooses his favorite Moses Hogan spiritual who inspired his dissertation. Dr. Jones tells us about his work at Bethany Baptist Church and Geneva College and surveys the black gospel tradition as it is sung in western Pennsylvania. He remembers Dr. King’s deep love of all types of music including classical music and Coretta Scott King who sang and trained at the New England Conservatory. Dr. Jones explains what the VRP in his name stands for. It isn’t Very Reverend Protector as you might guess. There is a blessing and singing at the end of the interview just for you.
Maestro Daniel Curtis, director of the Carnegie Mellon University School of Music Contemporary Ensemble, talks with Matthew Rygelski about the CMU School of Music Philharmonic season. Maestro Curtis also talks about the return to live performances and his personal experience teaching at CMU.
Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta, has been associated with the Sorel Organization since 1996 when her friend Claudette Sorel launched the foundation with JoAnn as a founding Advisory Board member. Joann discusses Claudette Sorel Rediscovered newly released with gems from Sorel's out of print recordings on two discs of solo pieces and American concertos. Joann Falletta honors her legacy as a musician and as a philanthropist fiercely dedicated to creating opportunities for women in music through her charitable foundation. Also in this discussion with Jim Cunningham is the wide ranging repertoire Joann has recorded, the state of women conductors in America, the vast catalog of recordings from the Buffalo orchestra, her work in radio, and more.
Ed Simon is the author of An Alternative History of Pittsburgh from Belt Publishing choosing figures from the story of Pittsburgh and updating the relevance of events along the way. His choices include prehistoric Pittsburgh, Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman with the assassination attempt on Henry Clay Frick, the Carnegie International with Pablo de Sarasate, Billy Strayhorn meeting Duke Ellington, Evelyn Nesbitt The Girl on the Red Velvet Swing, John Kane, Stephen Foster, Andrew Carnegie, Andy Warhol. Rachel Carson, with a stop at Shadyside Presbyterian Church and East Liberty at the end.. Ed Simon writes for the History News Network, the Atlantic, Paris Review, Newsweek, The Washington Post and and several websites including The Millions. His fondness for the city where he spent his formative years is obvious in this conversation with Jim Cunningham.
Matthew Rygelski spoke with Mark Nuccio, current principal clarinetist of the Houston Symphony Orchestra and former clarinetist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Mark Nuccio spoke about his time studying clarinet, his experience performing with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and how his time living in Pittsburgh made him the successful clarinetist he is now.
Pulitzer Prize winning composer William Bolcom, now 83, has recently recorded a CD of Robert Schumann's "Album for the Young," which he began playing in the 1940's working with his pianist colleague Logan Skealton on the faculty of the University of Michigan. William Bolcom talks about the Schumann and his most famous piece - "Graceful Ghost," along with the song "Lime Jello Marshmallow Surprise," which was a popular concert favorite of the duo with his wife Joan Morris. Joan jumps in for a moment during the conversation with Jim Cunningham.
Cathedral Concerts return with Christmas in East Liberty, on Friday, December 17, 7:30 pm. The concert will feature The Brass Roots and conductor Daniel Curtis, the ELPC Chancel Choir and conductor Dr. Edward Alan Moore, and organist Ethan LaPlaca. Hear holiday favorites and the premiere of two newly commissioned pieces: Carol Fantasia by Mary Beth Bennett and Spiritual Suite by Marcus Grant. Edward Alan Moore stopped by the QED Morning Show with Jim Cunningham to tell us more about the concert.
Resonance Works present a new film version of Engelbert Humperdinck’s beloved opera, Hansel & Gretel! In this modern reimagining of the 19th century original, the two siblings, lost in the woods, stumble upon the set of a celebrity pastry chef’s cooking show, where they are invited to be the guest stars (and main ingredients!). The Premiere event on December 18th will feature live performances by members of the Resonance Chamber Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus preceding the film premiere. Artistic and General Director Maria Sensi Sellner and opera director Ben Robinson chatted with WQED-FM's Anna Singer.
Artistic Director and Conductor of the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, Edward Leonard, as well as Executive Director Andrew Swenson, stopped by the QED Morning Show to talk about their concert taking place on Saturday December 11th, 2021 at Levy Hall, 7pm. The program features music of Caroline Shaw, Tchaikovsky and the Rolla Viola concerto featuring Devin Moore.
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with Rachel Delphia, The Alan G. and Jane A. Lehman Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the Carnegie Museum of Art, about the famous Presepio as well as the Carnegie Trees.
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with Alyssa Velazquez, the Curatorial Assistant in Decorative Arts and Design at Carnegie Museum of Art, about the exhibit "Extraordinary Ordinary Things." The exhibit invites visitors to imagine themselves in the roles of problem-solvers, designers, and makers. As many people’s relationships to their homes and the objects within them take on increased relevance and deeper meaning, this timely and dynamic exhibition showcases all facets of material and product design, from traditional techniques to innovative technologies.
Richard Thomas stars as Ebeneezer Scrooge in the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera production of "A Musical Christmas Carol," December 17th through 23rd at the Byham Theater. Richard talks about his return, the fine points of portraying Ebeneezer, whether Charles Dickens was writing about his own Father in creating the role, the singing and dancing in the production, and the message he is trying to get across. Richard also discusses his recent work in a new movie with Sandra Bullock, appearing as Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mocking Bird," the success of FX's "The Americans" and his four seasons with the series until perishing in an accident the script writers evolved. He also talks about growing up in a dance house in this conversation with Jim Cunningham.
Henry J. Heinz II Director of the Carnegie Museum of Art, Eric Crosby, speaks with WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham about the holidays at the Museum, getting people interested in modern art, diversity at the museum and more.
Dr. Susan Medley introduces the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale "Sounds of the Season" Holiday Concert with three performances - two at Ingomar United Methodist Church (December 3rd and 5th) and one at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church (December 4th.) It's new arrangers, composers and the brightest holiday favorites in a joyful meeting - the first in 22 months. Also, what is happening at Washington and Jefferson College, where Dr. Medley teaches and also has a holiday concert; the happy holiday memories she shares; the latest on Mom who just turned 91 this fall; and much more in this conversation with Jim Cunningham.
Confluence Ballet presents the Nutcracker Sweet in three performances at the Mall at Robinson with Nutcracker art and cards for sale, plus photos with the Candy Canes and dancers. Ballet Mistress Lea Havas and artist dancer Sage Feldges have the plan for this all women production. The new company is working to dispel stereotypes of ballet types and celebrating diversity. Lea Havas from Sao Paulo has danced in Brazil, Germany,Switzerland, the US and many other countries around the globe. She worked with dance legends Rudolph Nureyev and Jiri Kyllian and has recently become a US Citizen along with her husband James Gourlay, the Director of River City Brass. Sage began at age 3 in the Dietrich Dance Studio, spent a year in modern dance at the University of Missouri, Wisconsin and a year at the Ballet Met as well as being a fine visual artist with paint and pencil. In their conversation with Jim Cunningham, they share their hopes for Confluence Ballet.
The Music Director of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, Matthew Mehaffey, talks with Jim Cunningham about the "Promise of Light" concert running December 10th through the 18th in several venues starting at Westminster Presbyterian Church in the South Hills and ending at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, downtown. All are free, Wear your mask, please register in advance so they know you are coming. It’s a wide ranging program with a celebratory mood and a hopeful theme with poetry by Robert Frost, Mary Oliver and Ogden Nash plus singing about winter, the solstice and the holidays. Music by Carol King, Dolly Parton, Randall Thompson, Eriks Esenvalds and Melissa Dunphy. Matthew talks about his work at the University of Minnesota where he is a full professor, the challenges of the pandemic time and the specifics of the program. For complete details on the presentations check out themendelssohn.org website.
Dana Bishop-Root, Director of Education and Public Programs, talks with Jim Cunningham about the holiday celebration at the Carnegie Museum of Art. The trees in the Hall of Architecture in their 60th anniversary year lit and adorned with handmade ornaments, the Neapolitan Presepio in its centuries old tradition, how to shop local and make your own ornament, pick up the new Collection Handbook published on the occasion of the Museum's 125th anniversary, the Friends and Family photo studio, the Out of Office Party and concerts by the River City Brass on November 27th, Roger Humphries and RH Factor on December 4th, the Mount Ararat Baptist Church Ensemble on December 11th and December 18th has Hugo Cruz and the Caminos. Plus, the art in the galleries including Elizabeth Murray who is linked with the Pittsburgh Symphony's recent performance of Prokofiev, Art from Sara Greenberger Rafferty, Sharif Bey and much more with the theme of being together this season. Dana discusses her long association with the Braddock Carnegie Library as part of her thinking about connecting with the wider community.
Opera star returns to Pittsburgh for a recital on Sunday November 21st, 4pm at Pittsburgh Opera headquarters. Rolando was a Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist in 1998-1999. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with him about his time as a resident artist, his upcoming performances, and how he is a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan!!
Chatham Baroque's Scott Pauley stopped by WQED-FM to talk to Anna Singer about their "Art of the Trio" concerts taking place this weekend.
Pianist Dr. Nanette Kaplan Solomon, Professor Emerita from Slippery Rock University, discusses with Jim Cunningham her Chatham University Friday Afternoon Musicale Recital which debuts Friday November 19th at 4 pm on the Chatham Youtube Channel. She plays in the WQED-FM studio a preview of a new piece by her Yale colleague Stefania de Kenessey-- Spontaneous D Combustion. The concert also includes a baroque rarity, Chopin, a Schubert Sonata, and a Scarlatti Sonata. It’s available indefinitely if you miss the event on Friday. Nanette also has the lowdown on the upcoming Tuesday Musical Club events which she also participates in.
Resonance Works Conductor Maria Sensi Sellner joins former Pittsburgh Symphony Principal double bass and soloist Jeffrey Turner in their return to in-person performances at the Greer Cabaret Theater downtown Pittsburgh November 13th and 14th with some of the hottest and brightest lights on the scene today - Missy Mazzoli with Jeff in the spotlight, Gabriela Lena Frank, Jessie Montgomery and Chen Yi. Maria has the deep dive into the composers world and Jeff describes his work at Indiana University, the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings at the Townsend School of Music, and his recent recordings including Mozart concertos for Nonesuch with Jeremy Denk. Also, why he has returned to his colleagues at Heinz Hall this season and when we might hear him again. This conversation with Jim Cunningham took place in the Green Room at Heinz Hall.
WQED-FM is the official media sponsor for "Suite Life" - the 14th annual celebration of the namesakes of the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty on November 27th. It's a jazz concert, panel discussion, VIP reception at Duolingo in their newly designed headquarters, and party featuring video images of Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn. Jim Cunningham speaks with Joseph Hall, the Executive Director of the theater and John Shannon, who curated the music for the concert and for the restaurant jazz happenings at Con Alma in Shadyside and downtown in the Cultural District.
Composer and keyboard artist, Janet Stivanson, talks about her life in music since graduation from Carnegie Tech and the long service she has given to South Avenue Methodist Church in Wilkinsburg. Janet has organized the Composer's Workshop with her music and her colleagues for Tuesday Musical Club November 9th at 1pm at Rodef Shalom Temple and on line from Youtube.
The Butler County Symphony Orchestra conducted by Matthew Kraemer presents Mozart's 40th Symphony, with music by Ginastera and Gabriela Lena Frank - Saturday night at the Butler Intermediate High School at 7:30pm. Executive Director John Furman joins Jim Cunningham and Matthew to talk about the special features of the concert, the great strides the orchestra has made in the past ten years, and where to get a good meal in Butler.
Pittsburgh Opera returns to the Benedum Stage with Mozart's "The Magic Flute" running November 6-14th. Pittsburgh Opera Music Director spoke with WQED-FM's Anna Singer about the music for this opera.
Pittsburgh Opera returns to the Benedum Stage with Mozart's "The Magic Flute" running November 6-14th. Adelaide Boedecker sings the role of Pamina and she talks to WQED-FM's Anna Singer about the role.
Pittsburgh Opera returns to the Benedum Stage with Mozart's "The Magic Flute" running November 6-14th. Ben Taylor sings the role of Papageno and he talks to WQED-FM's Anna Singer about the role, as well as making his Metropolitan Opera debut just before coming to Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Opera returns to the Benedum Stage with Mozart's "The Magic Flute" running November 6-14th. Dan Rigazzi is the Stage Director and he talks to WQED-FM's Anna Singer about the look and feel of this production.
The album Transatlantic is available now, the debut album of the Berlin Academy of American Music with its founder and Artistic Director, Garrett Keast. Katie Brill talks with Maestro Keast about the album, which features excellent soloists such as Noah Bendix-Balgley! Here is the full list of music:
Stravinsky: Concerto in E-flat "Dumbarton Oaks" Craig Urquhart: Lamentation for Flute and String Orchestra Avner Dorman: Nofim (Sights), four songs for soprano, flute, violin, percussion and piano Takemitsu: Toward the Sea II for alto flute, harp and string orchestra Stravinsky: "No word from Tom" from The Rake's Progress Copland: Appalachian Spring Suite, original version for 13 instruments
Dr. Barry Coutinho joins with colleagues from the Pittsburgh Symphony to play Schubert’s beloved Trout Quintet and with violinist Laura Motchalov, he will play the Spring Sonata by Beethoven to benefit the physician led "Shoulder to Shoulder Pittsburgh," which offers help for medical needs in Honduras. The concert takes place at the Herberman Conference Center of UPMC Shadyside Thursday, November 4th at 7:30 pm. The tickets are $20 to attend in person or receive a link for a live stream for $10. Student ticket are available. Dr. Coutinho was a finalist in the Van Cliburn Competition Amateur Division having studied at the Guildhall School of Music in London along with his medical work. He now teaches Family Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, sees patients and serves as Vice Chief of the Department of Family Medicine at Shadyside. He will play three short pieces by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Liszt for the program. Joining Dr. Coutinho in the Trout Quintet will be Pittsburgh Symphony members Laura Motchalov, violin; Brandon McLean, bass; Marylene Gingras Roy, viola; and cellist Will Chow. For more information: https://www.shouldertoshoulderpgh.org/tickets?%3E
Zoe Abuyuan and Gabe DeRose, the Rosalind and Orlando from Shakespeare's "As You Like It" in the PICT Classic Theatre production, sit down to explain their roles in the first in-person play at the Fred Rogers Theater of WQED since the pandemic began. Love in all its forms is the subject with laughter and direction from Alan Stanford, Rosalind and Orlando get lost in the forest of Arden where mischief, passion, and mistaken identity have made the play a classic. PICT says "it's the perfect show to lift the spirits and open the season!" Zoe and Gabe reveal their path to the stage in this conversation with Jim Cunningham. They have high praise for the cast which is a big one and the music which plays an important part in "As You Like It."
Kirby Dilworth will leave the stacks at the end of November 2021 after serving for 43 years as staff and music librarian at the Carnegie library of Pittsburgh main branch in the second floor music department. In this conversation with Jim Cunningham, Kirby considers the changes for libraries in the last half century and the continued relevance of the treasure found at Andrew Carnegie’s jewel in Oakland. Kirby has the story of several prominent guests who needed information from the library. Kirby Dilworth arrived with a degree from the University of Michigan and began a long singing career with the Bellefield Singers in Pittsburgh.
The Music Plus Concert Series in Sewickley opens with a performance by tenor saxophone player James Houlik and pianist Vahan Sargsyan this Sunday, October 24 at 3pm. Jim talks about the concert program, teaching at Carnegie Mellon University, and his most memorable performances in this conversation with Katie Brill.
The Pittsburgh Youth Chorus's 2021-2022 season began in September with in-person masked rehearsals, sliding scale tuition, and the new BIPOC artist-in-residence program. Katie Brill talks with artist-in-residence Michael Warren and the PYC's Executive Director, Lee Saville-Iksic, about how the residency is going and the PYC's upcoming performances.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theater presents their season premiere at the Benedum Center October 22-24 with the PBT Orchestra conducted by Charles Barker. Artistic Director Susan Jaffe, in her first in theater extravaganza, joins company star Diana Yohe who is alone onstage when the curtain goes up. The dancers will present new and old with Jennifer Archibald and Helen Pickett, "Diamonds" from George Balanchine, hip hop, a Grand pas clasique set to music by Auber, there's Philip Glass to dance to, tutus and modernist moves all in an evening. Diana and Susan give the strongest possible case for why you should be in the theater but there is an online option for ticket holders who can't appear in person. They also reflect on Mick Jagger's moves in his recent visit to Pittsburgh and his American Ballet Theater muse Melanie Hamrick in this conversation recorded October 18th by Zoom from the Ballet headquarters in the Strip District.
Award-winning conductor and composer Lucas Richman talks with Katie Brill about his recent compositions, which include pieces about climate change in the Gulf of Maine, homelessness, gun violence, and a concerto called "A Meal with Luciana and Mario". Lucas has worked with orchestras for the past 40 years, and he is currently Music Director of the Bangor Symphony in Maine. He was Assistant and Resident Conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 1998-2004 and has continued to be a great friend of the Pittsburgh community.
"Stories From the Igloo: Pittsburgh's Civic Arena" is the new book chronicling the many amazing events at the now gone former home of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Civic Light Opera. Lance Jones joins Jim Cunningham to discuss his contribution of two chapters and tackles the question of how often the roof opened and what made it such a challenge. Along with 11 visits of Bruce Springsteen and a puzzled visit by Kenny Loggins when he noticed folks had their arms folded on their snack and drink tables or Bob Dylan observing that his fans "were eating cheese" at their tables in the Civic Arena, Lance has additional gossip dished by Tinsy Labrie, the former head of PR for the Pittsburgh Symphony. The book is published by History Press and available now with contributions from Chirs Fletcher former topper at Pittsburgh Magazine and the Association of Gentlemen of Pittsburgh Journalists. Lance Jones recently retired from his job as Account Representative at WQED having spent years in Pittsburgh in various management roles for Live Nation (and its predecessors) including general manager of Star Lake Amphitheater.
Emmy Award winning producer and journalist Beth Dolinar and Jim Cunningham preview her latest WQED special "A Season to Remember: The Baseball Boys of Mon City" airing Thursday October 21 at 8pm and Monday October 25 at 7:30pm. It was 1952 when the team from Monongahela made it to the final game of the Little League World Series. There is tragedy, redemption, summer baseball atmosphere, life lessons and Beth throws a few pitches herself as scenes are captured by photographers Paul Ruggeri and Dave Forstate. Along with her productions at WQED, Beth Dolinar is known widely for her work at WTAE and you can read her weekly column in the Observer-Reporter in Washington, PA.
Afa Dworkin is the President and Artistic Director of Sphinx Virtuosi arriving in Pittsburgh for Chamber Music Pittsburgh on October 11th at Carnegie Music Hall. The group has worked boldly for inclusion of African Americans and Lantinx musicians over the past 25 years. Their programs are innovative and mind expanding. Afa speaks with Jim Cunningham about the Tracing Visions program and the work that remains to be done.