Classical Conversations

Multi-instrumentalist and conductor Dr. Chaerin Kim once again joins us to talk about her music making and the rewards and challenges of playing two instruments (harp and piano concertos) on the same concert.

A conversation with Roger Grieve, who was there at the beginning of FM 91 and has interesting stories to tell about the founding of the radio station and how yesterday is different from today.

Paul Monachino is Director of Liturgical Music & Organist for Rosary Cathedral. He's also retiring at the end of this month. In this conversation, Paul reflects on the past of music at Rosary, his advice for young organists, and his plans for the future.

We hear from ballet legend Nigel Burgoine about his new book "The Ballerina, The Mermaid and the Unicorn" and what he's been up to lately.

Mary Claire Murphy welcomes Josh Gindele of the Miro Quartet to Classical Conversations for a celebration of the holiday album Hearth, a rich and varied collection of traditional carols and holiday favorites in imaginative arrangements by 15 contemporary composers.

In his concept album, Mt. Mundane, composer Stephen Emmer invites us to leave the banal behind. He elaborates, in conversation with Mary Claire Murphy, on this collection of 15 adagios for piano, orchestra, and choir.

Master guitarist and educator Nicholas Goluses joins WGTE for a conversation about his album, "Across the Horizon." In addition to his formidable solo performing career, Nicholas Goluses is Professor of Guitar at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. https://goluses.com/ https://www.albanyrecords.com/catalog/troy1992/

Uruguayan-American composer and pianist Miguel del Aguila presents the album Torrential Raindance as a colorful showcase of lyrical themes blended with elements of his South American heritage. He overviews the five featured works of Torrential Raindance in this Classical Conversation with Mary Claire Murphy.

Violist Bill Neri speaks on his work at the Sphinx Organization and overviews the album American Mirror, recorded by the organization's self-conducted chamber orchestra and flagship performing ensemble, the Sphinx Virtuosi.

Violinist Anna Williams and pianist Eri Nakamura relay the latest with the Neave Trio, including a new album of French works for piano trio.

Cellist Tamar Sagiv makes her debut on Sono Luminus with a poignant reflection on personal loss, collective grief, and enduring hope.

Violinist Matthew Detrick introduces us to an array of new commissions by the Apollo Chamber Players for the album Ban: Stories of Censorship. https://www.apollochamberplayers.org/ban.html

With the release of the album Song of the Birds, mandolinist Avi Avital joins the Between Worlds Ensemble in a vibrant celebration of folk traditions from Italy, Iberia, and the Black Sea regions. Learn more at https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/artists/avi-avital/news/avi-avitals-song-of-the-birds-a-dialogue-between-folk-and-classical-music-275906

Violinist, composer and educator Austin Wulliman talks about his latest album (Escape Rites) of music written for - and inspired by - the Jack Quartet (of which Austin is a violinist). We hear about his career and music, the inspiration behind his titles and pieces, his John Cage obsession, and more!

Baritone and pianist Will Liverman returns to Classical Conversations with Mary Claire Murphy, this time sharing his newly adopted composer’s perspective on the release of his first complete album of original art songs: The Dunbar/Moore Sessions, Volume II.

We checked in with Dr. Chaerin Kim to hear about her extraordinary experience performing as an instrumental soloist—playing two different instruments in two separate programs on the same stage— with an orchestra. In a few weeks, she will also conduct the orchestra while performing her own compositions. https://www.chaerinkim.com/blog/ Rendezvous with harp and orchestra

Lima Symphony Music Director Andrew Crust talks about the last LSO concert of the season, "Gershwin and The American Sound."

Through the album Take Me To The Water, harpist Ashley Jackson fuses traditional classical music with the rich heritage of Black spirituality. She celebrates, in this Classical Conversation with Mary Claire Murphy, music’s ability to connect cultures. Watch Ashley in performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSdECFLQ2fc

Ballet Theatre of Toledo presents "Alice in Wonderland." Artistic Director Nigel Burgoine and composer David Jex preview the timeless story which comes to life this weekend on The Valentine Theatre stage.

Cellist Peter Gregson showcases his signature cello and synthesizer sound in his self-titled portrait album of nine modern songs without words. Learn more in this Classical Conversation, hosted by Mary Claire Murphy.

Supertrain Records has released Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Symphony in F# in an archival piano recording by the composer himself and in a 1997 live concert performance by the Italian Swiss Radio Orchestra and Conductor John Mauceri. Maestro Mauceri and Leslie Korngold, the composer’s grandson, join Mary Claire Murphy for the backstory in this Classical Conversation.

Composer and scholar Lei Liang speaks with Mary Claire Murphy on his album Dui, which he describes as “the ultimate tribute to the past and present bonds that have shaped [his] life.”

Baritone Theo Hoffman implements a “pop bel canto” approach to his program of songs by Schubert and The Beatles, underscoring core similarities between the two in this Classical Conversation with Mary Claire Murphy.

Violinist María Dueñas explores capricious works by Nicolo Paganini and his successors, including Fritz Kreisler, Henryk Wieniawski, Jordi Cervello, and others. She surveys the album here in this Classical Conversation with Mary Claire Murphy.

In this Classical Conversation, Mary Claire Murphy asks composer Cliff Eidelman about the behind-the-scenes of his creative process for film scoring. Mr. Eidelman also comments on his concert discography, including a recent reinterpretation of his symphonic poem The Tempest.