Violin Concerto in E minor, Opus 64, one of the most frequently performed of all violin concerti. The work premiered in Leipzig on March 13, 1845 and, although the composer used standard classical structures for the piece, Mendelssohn made adaptations to suit his personal tastes and changing times, which included an almost instant introduction of the solo instrument and a written solo cadenza which, at that time, were typically improvised by the soloist.

This performance features violinist David Kim, who has appeared as a soloist with The Philadelphia Orchestra where he has been Concertmaster since 1999, and teaching/performance residencies and master classes in the US and around the world.

The Marriage of Figaro is one of the most frequently performed operas in the world. It was based on a stage play by French author Pierre Beaumarchais which had been banned in Vienna by the Emperor Joseph II, claiming “the piece contains much that is objectionable” and encouraging the Austrian Censor to forbid its performance.

Sarasota Orchestra performed the Gliere Harp Concerto with acclaimed harpist Xavier de Maistre, and we bring you a little preview of that concert on Classical WSMR! Join Russell Gant as he welcomes his guest Xavier de Maistre to our Sarasota Performance and Broadcast Studio for live music and conversation.

The Ying Quartet and Sarasota Orchestra principal clarinetist Bharat Chandra stopped by our Sarasota Performance and Broadcast Studio to play for you live on the radio! Hear the music of Mozart and Brahms, as well as conversation with Bethany Cagle.

The Bridge Trio presented a concert at the Neel Performing Arts Center in Bradenton called "Coming to America," featuring the Dvořák Piano Trio in F Minor as well as music by John Adams and Ernest Bloch. Bethany Cagle welcomes the trio, led by Sarasota Orchestra violinist Felicia Brunelle, to our Sarasota Performance and Broadcast Studio. They engage in conversation and live performance to commemorate the passing of Paul Wolfe, former Music Director of Sarasota Orchestra.

Sarasota Orchestra presented a program of Russian masterworks including Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3, played by Estonian pianist Mihkel Poll. He joined Bethany Cagle to play a few selections in our Sarasota studio.

Join Classical WSMR's Bethany Cagle for live music as she welcomes famed American pianist William Wolfram to our Sarasota Broadcast and Performance Studio. William Wolfram was a silver medalist at both the William Kapell and the Naumburg International Piano Competitions, a bronze medalist at the prestigious Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow, and finalist in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He’s appeared with many of the greatest orchestras of the world and made a stop in Sarasota to play Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F with Sarasota Orchestra.

Pianist and conductor David Greilsammer paid a visit to Classical WSMR’s Sarasota Broadcast and Performance Studio while guest conducting for Sarasota Orchestra! Greilsammer has a passion for exploring contrasting musical worlds, and his programs frequently juxtapose works from the past and present. His Sarasota Orchestra concert featured composers from four musical eras who stretched the boundaries of classical tradition. Greilsammer discusses the concert with host Russell Gant and also plays piano for you live.

One year after his Carnegie Hall debut, violinist Ray Chen made his first guest appearance with Sarasota Orchestra. While in town, Chen and his 1702 “Lord Newlands” Stradivarius stopped by our Sarasota Performance and Broadcast Studio to talk with Bethany Cagle and play a bit of Bach and Mozart for you live.

Charismatic trumpeter and singer Byron Stripling gained acclaim portraying Louis Armstrong in the musical Satchmo and has been featured with many top big bands. He’s performed with more than 50 symphonies and came to town to play with Sarasota Orchestra in a show titled “Satchmo, Fats, and the Duke.” Stripling and pianist Kenny Drew, Jr. joined Bob Seymour for conversation and an exciting live studio performance.