On Friday May 29th, 2026, WQED-FM broadcast the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert live from Heinz Hall. Led by Gemma New making her PSO debut, the orchestra played "Rainphase" by Salina Fisher and "Scheherazade" by Rimsky-Korsakov. Stefan Jackiw returned after more than 10 years to play the Korngold Violin Concerto.

Before the concert, WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with PSO cellist Charlie Powers about the concert, as well two performances he's giving of the 1st 3 Bach Cello Suites - Saturday May 30th, 7pm at Park Presbyterian Church in Beaver and June 6, 2:30pm at PNC Recital Hall on Duquesne's campus. Jim also spoke to the new Principal Bassoon of the PSO - Julia Harguindey. Julia spoke about growing up in Argentina, moving to Montreal and then studying at Curtis in Philadelphia.

During intermission, Jim spoke with New Zealand-born guest conductor Gemma New, who said it takes about 30 hours to get from her home country to Pittsburgh. She also spoke about her recent recording of Bruch, the work she is doing as Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and what people can expect from Scheherazade in the 2nd half of the concert. Soloist Stefan Jackiw also spoke to Jim about the Korngold concerto and his encore of a Bach Sonata. He remembers his last time in Pittsburgh playing in the Junction Trio for Chamber Music Pittsburgh and talks about where his busy schedule has him going next. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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