Classical Conversations

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein first came to prominence in 2007, when she self-produced a landmark recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Now she joins us to talk about her latest album A Character of Quiet, which pairs etudes by Philip Glass with the final piano sonata of Franz Schubert. Born of the pandemic, A Character of Quiet (recorded at Simone's home in Brooklyn) explores the nature of solitude – and reflects on the struggle between hope and hopelessness felt by so many people, especially in the age of Covid-19. www.simonedinnerstein.com

Composer Christopher Cerrone and flutist Tim Munro join Brad Cresswell for a chat about their new album Liminal Highway, inspired by the poetry of the Canadian indie rock musician John K. Samson.

The young dynamic cellist Anita Graef joins us virtually from her home in Chicago for conversation about her career and music by J.S. Bach and Giuseppe dall'Abaco. Described as "a world class musician" who plays with "high energy and polish", cellist Anita Graef has earned recognition for her music making as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer. Recent appearances include Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert series, and "Concerts from the Library of Congress." She has also performed in recital as a guest of various radio programs, including "Young Artists Showcase" on WQXR, NPR, WFMT, and others. She performs frequently with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, originally as a CCM-CSO Fellow, as well as the Louisville Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic among others. https://www.anitagraef.com/

Conductor and Music Director of the Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä joins Brad Cresswell for a conversation about his career and his new recording of Gustav Mahler’s formidable Symphony No. 7. Watch the video chat here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFTM0rH2DKQ

The St. Louis-based composer, arranger, jazz pianist and educator Kim Portnoy joins us by phone to chat about his versatile new album Caprice. The recording features performances from some of the city's finest ensembles and performers, in music inspired by a wide range of subjects – from the golden Age of Hollywood musicals to legendary Cajun chef and comedian Justin Wilson.

Haley Taylor welcomes conductor James Blachly (pictured) to preview his new album of British composer Dame Ethel Smyth’s 1930 masterwork, The Prison. In this world premiere recording, Blachly leads his Experiential Orchestra and Chorus, with vocal soloists Sarah Brailey and Dashon Burton. Smyth was an important figure in the global suffragette movement, and this recording coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote in the United States. Part oratorio and part symphony, The Prison is Smyth's last large-scale composition – precipitated by her growing deafness. Read more about the recording here: https://experientialorchestra.com/smyth.

Musical America’s 2018 "Instrumentalist of the Year," Augustin Hadelich is easily one of the premier violinists of our time. In this conversation with WGTE's Brad Cresswell, Hadelich previews his new album Bohemian Tales (Warner Classics), which includes the rousing concerto by Dvorák (a work he performed with the Toledo Symphony in 2017). Also on the disc: works for piano (Charles Owen) and violin from two other Czech masters, Leos Janácek and Josef Suk. Augustin Hadelich's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AugustinHadelichViolin Photo Credit: Augustin Hadelich by Paul Glickman

Celebrated author, commentator, and Metropolitan Opera radio producer William Berger returns to talk about his follow up seminar to The Epic of Opera, entitled Opera and Film. In this new two week, eight part webinar series, Will takes us far beneath the surface to look at how the narrative techniques of some of Europe's greatest storytellers became building blocks for the great modern storytellers of the world – how, in essence, the Opera House became the Movie Theater. Once again, the series includes a diverse panel of voices, pairing formidable opera stars with composers, screenwriters, actors, producers, directors, and writers. The live webcast series runs from August 2nd through August 15th, but will also be archived for subscribers. You can learn more and sign up at this link: WilliamBergerPresents.com.

In this special video interview, composer David Lang and conductor Beth Willer join WGTE's Brad Cresswell via Zoom to talk about the Lorelei Ensemble's recent recording of David's Love Fail. Inspired by the story of Tristan and Isolde, Love Fail sets modern translations of ancient texts alongside contemporary writings. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/igX2UKFxtPk (Photo credit: Lorelei Ensemble by Allana Taranto, Ars Magna Studio)

In 2013 Caroline Shaw became the youngest person ever to win the Pulitzer Prize in music, which established her as one of America's foremost living composers. Now she has a new album release which represents a team-up with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and opera star Anne Sofie von Otter, among others. Caroline joins us to talk about her music on the disc, which has ties not only to the far-flung past, but also to modern events: namely, the so-called "Golden Record" that was launched into deep space on the Voyager spacecraft in the 1970s. Photo Credit: Caroline Shaw by Bonica Ayala