Otto Klemperer was a giant among conductors in both stature and musical insight. He overcame enormous personal challenges, escaped the Nazi regime, endured crippling injuries and still made music that inspired millions. His signature work was Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony and we’ll hear his legendary 1955 recording with the Philharmonia Orchestra – judged by many to be the best ever recorded.

The William Baker Festival Singers are so much more than just a choir. Host Stephen Steigman speaks with Founder and Director William Baker, as well as Executive Associate Music Director Jamea Sale about the group, The Choral Foundation, healthy singing, and more. We'll hear music from their composer in residence program, as well as Byron Smith, Lars Magnus Been, Waldemar Ahlen and others.

Principal tuba Joe LeFevre joins hosts Michael Stern and Dan Margolies for a program of Gershwin, Rachmaninoff, Kernis and Dvořák. Joe describes the excitement of his debut with the orchestra and how much he enjoys playing Dvořák's "New World Symphony," even though he only plays a total of fourteen notes.

On this episode of the "Kansas City Local Feature," we will hear performances from, and discover the past and future of, The Kansas City Baroque Consortium with Artistic Director Trilla Ray-Carter, and conductor and composer Anthony Maglione.

Five of the world’s greatest conductors came together in Berlin, 1929. In the third of five shows paying tribute to these extraordinary musicians we profile Erich Kleiber. He was a master interpreter and superlative musician. He left a prominent post in Germany in protest of Nazi racial policies and lived in Buenos Aires for years while conducting opera and symphonic concerts wherever he could. After World War II he was embraced and revered as one of the world’s great conductors. We’ll hear his legendary recording of Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony which still inspires many decades later.

Michael Stern and Dan Margolies lead you on a musical journey to Spain, France and Finland with music from Debussy, De Falla, Salonen, and Sibelius. Conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto and pianist Alessio Bax join the orchestra for a nighttime exploration of the Gardens of Spain.

Five of the world’s greatest conductors came together in Berlin, 1929. In the second of five shows paying tribute to these extraordinary musicians we profile Arturo Toscanini, second from the left in the photo. Toscanini was a genius conductor and musician, and also perhaps the first superstar in the mass media of his day. His drive for perfection and his intensely committed performances captivated audiences then and now. In this program, we’ll hear some of his most compelling recordings.

Relive some epic performances of Italian opera music from Helzberg Hall with The Kansas City Symphony and The Kansas City Symphony Chorus. We'll hear familiar overtures, intermezzos and choruses from Puccini, Verdi, Rossini and more.