Composer Joan Tower talks about her world-premiere piece, titled "Stroke," which was commissioned by the PSO. She describes how she incorporated a heartbeat and sequence of instrumental solos into music inspired by the stroke that left her brother half-paralyzed. She also comments on her uncommon fanfares, and some activities beyond her tenure as Pittsburgh Symphony Composer of the Yea.

PSO Principal Guest Conductor Leonard Slatkin has championed David del Tredici's "Final Alice" since he witnessed the premiere. Slatkin describes unusual aspects: the enormous orchestra, Theremin, and soprano with megaphone. He also discusses Peter and the Wolf with text revised by Pittsburgh humorist Peter Leo, and the Detroit Symphony's new direction after a long and bitter strike.

Soprano Hila Plitmann talks about the unusual soprano part in David del Tredici's "Final Alice," based on "Alice in Wonderland," which reflects some aspects of the composer's personality. She talks about her work with film composer Hans Zimmer on "The DaVinci Code" and the upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." And her husband, choral composer Eric Whitacre comes up for discussion.

Once a potential PSO Music Director, Herbert Blomstedt returns to Heinz Hall for the first time in 25 years. He talks about Brahms, Schumann, religion, Swedish Radio, and San Francisco where he was Music Director for 10 years.

American pianist Garrick Ohlsson talks about his work with Herbert Blomstedt, the Brahms Piano Concerto #2, new recording projects, his recent and future concerts, life in San Francisco, and more.

Scottish violinist talks with Jim Cunningham on the occasion of her Pittsburgh Symphony debut in showpieces by Chausson and Ravel. She talks about the high-profile events that launched her career, her music education efforts including El Sistema projects in Scotland, and her work with composers James MacMillan and John Tavener.

On his fourth appearance at Heinz Hall, German pianist Lars Vogt talks with QED's Jim Cunningham at a Friends of the PSO event. Subjects include Beethoven's Piano Concerto #1, the Spannungen Festival, soccer, and teaching music to young players including Vogt's own daughter.

Like his father Frank-Peter Zimmermann, violinist Serge Zimmermann makes his US debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony. He talks about his father, influential violinists such as Milstein, working with Manfred Honeck, and the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto.

German violinist Viviane Hagner talks about Haydn's Violin Concerto #1, her Stradivadrius, explorations of new music, recent recording including a Vieutemps concerto, cultural life in Berlin, and more.

Guest conductor Arild Remmereit talks with Jim Cunningham about his new post with the Rochester Philharmonic, how he went from being a rock guitarist in platform shoes to a conductor on the podium, and about his PSO program of Sibelius, Haydn and Mozart.