@ the Symphony

Cellist Alisa Weilerstein returned to Heinz Hall October 16, 2026 and Sunday October 18 to play the Prokofiev Sinfonia Concertante with guest conductor Juraj Valcuha and the Pittsburgh Symphony. She tells Jim Cunningham about the special features of the music written for Mstislav Rostropovich and how she fell in love listening to it on the radio at age 14.

She is on a huge tour this season traveling across several continents with concertos and her Fragments program which has been part of several events at Carnegie Hall in New York. Alisa has enjoyed her visits to Pittsburgh including the last time she was in town playing music by Joan Tower.

Alisa Weilerstein gives an update on the music making of her family, suggests a great restaurant in San Diego, and a coffee shop she loves as an espresso regular. She is married to the Music Director of the San Diego Symphony Rafael Payare and they spend time in California and Canada where he is also the Music Director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. She still listens to the radio and loves classical radio and NPR. Her Pittsburgh visit also includes a Saturday Pittsburgh 360 concert with audience members up close and personal on the stage. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Former Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster, Noah Bendix Balgley, has been 12 years in Berlin at the Philharmonic and now has his Fidl Fantazye Klezmer Concerto available from all the major streaming services. Noah plays violin and directs members of the Philharmonic.

In this October 8, 2026 conversation with Jim Cunningham, he talks about the history of the concerto which began in Pittsburgh. He spoke just hours before opening night at Carnegie Hall with the Berlin Philharmonic and conductor Kirill Petrenko as they embark on a North and South American tour with a first time stop in Colombia. Noah discussed the 225 million Euro allocation to the Berlin Philharmonie to begin an extensive renovation lasting several years; working with Maestro Petrenko who has been somewhat reluctant to grant interviews; working with conductor Tugan Sokhiev who conducts often in Vienna.  Additional topics include the extensive offerings of the Berlin Digital Concert Hall; how he shares his role as one of three First Concertmasters of his Orchestra; and his growing family.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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On Friday October 2, 2026, WQED-FM broadcast the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's season opening concert live from Heinz Hall. Led by Music Director Manfred Honeck, the orchestra played "Masquerade" by Anna Clyne and Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4, "Italian." Kirill Gerstein returned to play the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2.

WQED President and CEO Jason Jedlinski and former PSO Board Member and Chair Emerita of the WQED Board Millie Myers spoke with Jim Cunningham prior to the concert. Jason spoke about the "Dead Air" initiative going on at WQED throughout October.  Millie spoke about the Lang Lang Gala concert with the PSO the previous week and the strong relationship between WQED and the PSO.

Music Director Manfred Honeck joined Jim Cunningham during intermission to talk about this final weekend with Anne Martindale Williams before she retires; the recent PSO performance at the University of Illinois earlier in the week; and his new posts in London and San Francisco.   Jim was also joined by Anne Martindale Williams who spoke about her retirement; memorable performances she's had with the orchestra over the years; and how she will continue to be busy teaching.

Guest pianist Kirill Gerstein spoke with Jim Cunningham after playing the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 about it being a special weekend to play with the PSO and with Anne Martindale Williams, his upcoming concerts, and his love of jazz. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Piano superstar Lang Lang - just after his rehearsal of the Beethoven Emperor Concerto at Heinz Hall with the Pittsburgh Symphony - shares his thoughts about the Beethoven Fifth Concerto with Jim Cunningham. He loves working with Pittsburgh, having played big evenings with Mariss Jansons and Manfred Honeck on tour and at home. He wants the novice and the super fan to enjoy the start of the season. He plans on listening to the first half of the concert for Chick Corea who he has played with and enjoyed a swinging improvisatory evening of jazz. He shares advice he was given along his path, speaks about his new CD "Piano Book 2" and recording all five concertos by Beethoven. Having spent time at Curtis in Philadelphia, Lang Lang feels the Keystone State has been an important part of his world. He's traveled many miles in the US and China where he hopes he can make a difference in bringing about cultural diplomacy - especially in light of the past week White House summit with the Presidents of both countries.  Radio is still extremely important to Lang Lang and he details his listening habits. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra closed out their 2026 European Tour in Vienna with the 2nd of two concerts at the Konzerthaus on September 10, 2026. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's Vice-President of Artistic Planning during intermission to talk about the tour. She talks about the great repertoire on the tour; the audience reaction to the PSO concerts; how festivals are asking for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; and how it's special to end the tour in Vienna, the home country of Music Director Manfred Honeck. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Anne-Sophie Mutter played twice on the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's 2026 European Tour - in Lucerne and in Cologne - playing the Penderecki Metamorphosen, Violin Concerto No. 2. The piece was written for her by Penderecki with him Anne-Sophie had a close friendship. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham sat down with Anne-Sophie to talk about the concerto and lots more. She says the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is her favorite American orchestra. She recalls some Andre Previn memories; working with Herbert van Karajan when she was 13 years old; her presence on social media; and how she wants to be "a good musician who knows what to do!" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Robin Meloy Goldsby grew up in Pittsburgh and her father played percussion on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. She studied at Chatham College and now lives in Cologne, Germany playing piano at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst.

WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham stopped by the hotel to talk to Robin about her father; growing up in Pittsburgh; stories about her teacher Henry Spinelli; new books and CDs she's made; and the joy of seeing Manfred Honeck when he stops by when the orchestra is in Cologne! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Principal Cello Anne Martindale Williams was hired by William Steinberg and made Principal by Andre Previn. After 50 years, she's retiring from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra after the recently concluded European Tour. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham had a conversation with Anne in Essen Germany about her extraordinary career; her past tour experiences; her plans for retirement and much more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra heads home from their 2026 European Tour after playing their final concert at the Vienna Konzerthaus last night. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham managed to interview several people about the last concert and the tour in particular. He spoke with Francisco Joubert Bernard – Second Bassoonist of the Louisville Orchestra and will be with the PSO in the 2026-2027 Season; guest pianist Alexandre Kantorow; Mary Persin – Vice President of Artistic Planning of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; Gus Faucher – Chief Economist for PNC Bank; Alexis Trbovich – Student at the Central European University in Vienna and former WQED-FM Intern; and Manfred Honeck's wife Christiane.

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That's a wrap! The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra played their final concert of the 2026 European Tour tonight at the Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria. Manfred Honeck conducted the Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 and Alexandre Kantorow played the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1.

WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham called in with a live report after the concert where he said the audience reaction was tremendous. He also spoke with PSO Concertmaster David McCarroll in Essen, Germany to get his thoughts on the tour and how he was looking forward to performing in the Konzerthaus, where he played many times when he was a member of the Vienna Piano Trio before coming to Pittsburgh. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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