Classical Music

Leonard Slatkin conducts orchestral transcriptions of J.S. Bach, followed by two jazz-inspired DSO firsts!

Hear the orchestra's premiere performance of Shostakovich's Jazz Suite No. 1 and the debut of an all-new concerto by Grammy Award winning composer and pianist Michel Camilo. That's this Friday at 10:45 a.m. on Classical IPR.

Anna Netrebko returns to the Met in her acclaimed interpretation of the heroine Tatiana in Tchaikovsky’s romantic tragedy Eugene Onegin, opposite Peter Mattei in the title role, which he has also sung with the company to great praise. Robin Ticciati conducts the performance of Deborah Warner’s production, which also features Alexey Dolgov as Onegin’s friend Lenski, Elena Maximova as Tatiana’s sister Olga, and Štefan Kocán as Prince Gremin.

Listen LIVE on Classical IPR on Saturday, April 22 at 1pm ET.

Violinist Daniel Hope’s new album, “For Seasons,” is inspired by the perennial Vivaldi concerto cycle known as The Four Seasons. Hope began learning the Vivaldi concertos at age seven, performing them live for the first time only six years later.

Thanks to listeners in Beulah, Mullet Lake Village, Traverse City, Suttons Bay, and many other places for your requests this week.

1. Jean Sibelius, Andante Festivo; composer conducting the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra

2. George Frederic Handel, “I know that my Redeemer liveth” from Messiah; John Butt/Dunedin Consort/Susan Hamilton

3. Josef Ivanovich, Danube Waves Waltz (a/k/a The Anniversary Song); Felix Slatkin/Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra

4. George Gershwin, An American in Paris; Erich Kunzel/Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

Join Classical IPR this Friday, April 14 at 6 PM for a special inspired by the liturgy of Christian Holy Week. The liturgy of the Christian Holy Week has inspired centuries of music from diverse composers and is rich with musical depictions and meditations reflecting on the death and suffering of Christ. WFIU's Harmonia presents an hour of music for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday services that lead up to Easter. 

Verdi’s Aida, starring Krassimira Stoyanova in the title role of the enslaved Ethiopian princess. Conducted by Italian maestro Daniele Rustioni, who makes his Met debut this season, the opera also stars Violeta Urmana as Aida’s formidable rival Amneris, Riccardo Massi as the Egyptian war hero Radamès, and George Gagnidze as Aida’s father Amonasro, with James Morris as the high priest Ramfis and Soloman Howard as the King of Egypt.

Listen LIVE on Classical IPR on Saturday, April 15 at 1pm ET.

  Jeannette Sorrell and Apollo’s Fire bring us a new performance of J. S. Bach’s classic oratorio, St. John Passion. Apollo’s Fire performed the oratorio in March as a live theatrical performance in both Apollo’s Fire’s native Cleveland and New York City; now, the ensemble offers the performance as a two-disc album with accompanying photos and online resources.

Wagner’s epic tragedy Tristan und Isolde, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. Swedish dramatic soprano Nina Stemme leads the cast in her first Met performances of her signature role, Isolde, which she has sung to acclaim with major opera companies around the world. Australian tenor Stuart Skelton sings the role of her doomed lover, Tristan, with René Pape as King Marke, his heartbroken uncle, who comes between the two lovers; Ekaterina Gubanova as Isolde’s maid, Brangäne; and Evgeny Nikitin as Tristan’s companion, Kurwenal.

  Legendary pianist Menahem Pressler joins forces with the Pacifica Quartet on the new album Brahms Piano Quintet/ Schumann String Quartet No. 1.

Thanks to listeners in Traverse City, Pentwater, Guelph (Ontario), Whitehall, Harbor Springs, and many other places for your requests on this April Fool’s Day.

April Fool’s Day Music by Request program theme: Denes Agay and Nelson Cogan, Clarinet Polka Yodel (arr.); Mary and Melinda Schneider

1. Franz Reizenstein, Concerto Popolare; Norman Del Mar/Hoffnung Symphony Orchestra/Yvonne Arnaud

2. George Frederic Handel, Flute sonata op. 1, no. 1 in E minor; Frans Brüggen/Anner Bylsma/Bob van Asperen

  Join Classical IPR on Monday, April 3 at 6 PM to celebrate Opening Day with "Play Ball!" This program salutes warmer weather and the beginning of the baseball season with a tribute to America’s national pastime.

Stepping up to the plate are Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelley, Les Brown, and Sarah Vaughan, with Count Basie, Vince Guaraldi, and Dave Frishberg on deck as well.

Get a head start on your April Fool's Day pranks this Friday at 6 PM when Classical IPR presents Igudesman and Joo: You Just Have to Laugh!