Maestro Elder talks with Jim Cunningham in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel downtown Pittsburgh about his Pittsburgh Symphony concerts of January 31st and February 2nd, 2025 with principal Oboe Cynthia Koledo de Almeida playing Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto, Pohjohla’s Daughter by Sibelius, and the Shostakovich Symphony No. 15. What does it all mean? The William Tell Overture quote, Wagner, and self reference along the way. Even with comments from Shostakovich's son Maxim that we’re in a musical toy box of childhood and suggestions that Shostakovich is mourning the deaths of Stalin’s victims we still don’t have all the answers.

Sir Mark discusses his new post in Valencia Spain, his work with the BBC Proms, his statement about the Gulf War that was “blown completely out of proportion “ and resulted in his removal from the concert. He chooses some career highlights of working with living composers such as Thomas Ades and Harrison Birtwhistle, mentions his joy working with Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo, recording a highly praised Wagner Ring Cycle and many other amazing nights from his four decades with the Halle Orchestra, touring with English National Opera and making hundreds of records which encompassed a complete Vaughan Williams Symphony cycle. He is amazed at the composer’s talent, loves the Pastoral Sixth which is much more than “cows looking over the gate,” and has loved his concerts with the Pittsburgh Symphony.