Classical Conversations

Grammy-winning guitarist (and Musical America's 2020 Instrumentalist of the Year) Sharon Isbin joins us to preview her new album Souvenirs of Spain and Italy. A collaboration with the Pacifica Quartet, the disc uncovers delightful surprises and recasts old favorites in a new light.

John Lunn has scored a number of British TV dramas, none of them more famous than the BBC/PBS hit Downton Abbey. Now, as the film version is released in theaters, the Emmy Award-winning composer joins us to talk about his music for the show, including how he came up with that icon theme.

Becky and David Starobin, librettists for The Thirteenth Child, join us for the backstory on the latest opera from Danish composer Poul Ruders (pictured). Based on a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, The Thirteenth Child tells the story of a mad king who wants to kill his twelve sons – so that if his thirteenth child is a girl, she alone can inherit his kingdom. We hear about the process of bringing the opera to life, as illustrated by Rouders' other-wordly music, and sample the world premiere recording from the Starobin's label, Bridge Records.

Drostan Hall, music director of Camerata Chicago, joins us to talk about the ensemble's latest release: an"educational" version of Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Featuring the wonderful young violinist Amelia Piscitelli, this special two-CD set also includes Vivaldi's sonnets paired with enlightening and entertaining commentary read by radio veteran Steve Robinson.

Augustin Hadelich has released a masterful new album which pairs the concertos of two unlikely bedfellows: Johannes Brahms and György Ligeti. The powerhouse violinist joins us to talk about the project – and why these two seemingly disparate composers might be more alike than you think.

John Schneider, radio personality and music director of the Los Angeles-based Partch Ensemble introduces us to the wild and wooly world of American maverick composer Harry Partch (1901-1974). The ensemble's latest album includes some of Partch's greatest hits (including a heretofore unheard recording of Partch himself performing his hobo song cycle Barstow). Also heard: some lesser-known gems including the title track, Partch's Sonata Dementia (a fascinating musical romp through psychoanalysis).

The latest album from Anna Shelest is an inspired compendium of solo piano selections by female composers spanning the 19th through the 21st centuries. Donna Voce (Woman's Voice) includes spirited works by Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach, Lili Boulanger and more. The international award-winning pianist joins us to preview the disc.

Anthony McGill (principal clarinet of the New York Philharmonic) and his brother Demarre McGill (principal flute of the Seattle Symphony) have released a new joint album entitled Winged Creatures on the Chicago-based Cedille record label. Anthony joins us to talk about growing up in Chicago, playing in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (which joins them on the disc), and to preview the music on the album, including two world premieres by Michael Abels (Winged Creatures) and Joel Puckett (Concerto Duo). Also heard are two classic pieces that have long been a part of the talented McGill brothers' repertoire, including Camille Saint-Saëns's Tarantelle – which they performed together on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood during their teen years.

Grammy Award-winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux joins us to preview his new (world premiere!) recording of American composer Jonathan Leshnoff’s Guitar Concerto. Leshnoff calls the work, “an exploration of worlds, from its mysterious beginnings to its fiery, dance-inspired finale.” Jason calls it a worthy addition to the repertoire and shares his own take on this virtuosic work, originally written for master guitarist Manuel Barrueco. .

Harpist extraordinaire Yolanda Kondonassis and Rochester Philharmonic Music Director Ward Stare join us to preview their new album, American Rapture from Azica Records. Included on the disc are the Symphony No. 1 by Samuel Barber; a cave-diving inspired tone poem by the young composer Patrick Harlin (Rapture), and the world premiere centerpiece of the recording: the Harp Concerto by Grammy Award and Pulitzer prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon.