Classical Conversations

World-renowned guitarist Sharon Isbin takes us on a personal tour of her two latest albums: Affinity and Strings for Peace. Affinity is loaded with works written for Isbin, including the title track – a new guitar concerto by Chris Brubeck which contains a musical nod to his late father, legendary jazz musician Dave Brubeck (whose centenary is in 2020). Also on that disc: works that span the global palette from Tan Dun, Leo Brouwer, Antonio Lauro, and Richard Danielpour (whose song settings of Rumi poems also feature the wonderful mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard). Sharon also introduces us to Strings for Peace, her collaboration with Sarod master Amjad Ali Khan that presents four Ragas masterfully arranged for Sharon with sarods and tabla, thus drawing compelling connections between Western and Indian classical music. Social Media Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharonIsbin Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonIsbin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SharonIsbin Photo credit: J. Henry Fair

The wonderful and always engaging cellist Inbal Segev joins us to talk about her latest album, which pairs one of the most famous concertos in the cello repertoire (Edward Elgar) with a new work (Dance) by Anna Clyne, inspired by the poet Rumi. Just as the Elgar concerto served as an elegy for the First World War, Anna Clyne's Dance provides inspiration at a time of global conflict due to the covid-19 pandemic. Joined by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and maverick conductor Marin Alsop, Segev turns in a thoughtful, measured reading of both works. Inbal Segev's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Inbalsegev

Composer Jacob Cooper joins us to preview his new album from Amsterdam Records, called Terrain. In this three-part song collection (which features vocalists Theo Bleckmann and Jodie Landau, as well as cellist Ashley Bathgate), Jacob sets poems which evoke everything from the madness of Robert Schumann and his parallels to Shakespeare's Ophelia, to the casual killing of animals and the all-too-human nature of violence. The final (title) song unites the first two in a series of "fleeting images," that the composer says are "trying to find a sense of the infinite."

Composer, pianist, and conductor Michael Shapiro joins us to talk about the music on his latest disc, including his John Milton-inspired piano concerto entitled Archangel. In this action-packed work, Shapiro lays out the epic Biblical battle between good and evil as a metaphor for the challenges we all face in our daily lives (which includes the current coronavirus pandemic – something Michael recently fell victim to himself). Also on the disc: orchestral excerpts from an opera based on Federico Garcia Lorca, and a full-throttle realization for orchestra of the famous organ Toccata by French composer Charles-Marie Widor.

In this special edition of WGTE in Concert, we feature the University of Toledo Chamber Singers under the direction Dr. Bradley Pierson. Composer Joshua Shank introduces us to his Color Madrigals, setting the poetry of English Romantic poet John Keats. Part one of two. (Music posted by permission)

In this special edition of WGTE in Concert, we feature the vocal project Whateverandeveramen, under the direction Dr. Bradley Pierson. Composer David V. Montoya introduces us to Songs of Fatherhood, his setting of poems by William Wallis. Part two of two. (Music posted by permission)

Pianist Shai Wosner has garnered a reputation for digging beneath the surface of his musical subjects to reveal hidden treasures and insightful connections. In his latest recording of Piano Sonatas by Franz Schubert, Shai explores the melancholy nature of the famously elusive composer – and how the music reveals the vast depth of Schubert's artistry found in his keyboard works, especially the final sonatas. In this conversation, Shai reflects on the sonatas found in this album and how they connect to the current situation, as the performing arts community struggles with the isolation imposed by the global coronavirus pandemic.

Chicago-based composer, electronics performer, and sound artist Sam Pluta takes us through his new album with the Wet Ink Ensemble, Glossolalia​/​Lines on Black. Written as a "love letter" to the performer/improvisers of the Wet Ink Ensemble, each movement from Lines on Black is tailor-made to the virtuosic talents of each the group's musicians. (Photo credit: Wet Ink Ensemble by Alexander Perrelli)

Violin virtuoso Niv Ashkenazi joins us to talk about Violins of Hope, an artistic and educational project composed of instruments that were owned by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust. With his fellow Juilliard graduate, pianist Matthew Graybil, Niv has released the first solo album to be recorded on one of these instruments.

Celebrated author, commentator, and Metropolitan Opera radio producer William Berger is presenting a two week, eight part webinar series on the wonderful wide world of Opera – from its beginnings with the Florentine Camerata in Renaissance Italy to the current scene and beyond. Author of books such as Verdi with a Vengeance, Wagner Without Fear, and Puccini Without Excuses, Berger brings his unique and insightful approach to bear in this immersive experience (complete with themed cocktails!) that includes guest appearances by some of the greatest singers of our day. In this classical conversation, Berger talks about his role as an "arts activist" and what we can expect from the webinar series. The live webcast series begins on June 7th (but will also be archived for subscribers). You can learn more and sign up at this link: WilliamBergerPresents.com