Frank Byrne
Host, From the ArchivesFrank Byrne has spent his life in music administration, first as the senior administrator of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in Washington, DC, and later as Executive Director of the Kansas City Symphony. In addition to his administrative work, Byrne was also a professional tuba player and student of legendary Chicago Symphony tubist Arnold Jacobs. He has lived the music business on stage and in the office, and has retained his passion for great music and the people who make it.
His passion is fueled by intense curiosity and a desire to understand what makes some performances extraordinary. As a picture is worth a thousand words, some special recordings convey qualities that go beyond words, with their own power and compelling message. Finding and sharing those special performances remains a lifelong hobby and obsession. He also believes that Classical KC provides a wonderful opportunity to share great music with an entirely new audience and hopes to help make that a reality.
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One of the brightest lights in conducting was lost when Seiji Ozawa passed away on February 6, 2024. His recorded legacy is large and we remember him through his exemplary recordings of music by Faure, Janacek, Ives, and Stravinsky. -
For over two centuries there have been arrangements of full symphonies for small instrumental ensembles. We’ll hear beloved symphonies by Brahms and Haydn in chamber music settings that are as compelling as they are charming. -
William Walton created music for film adaptations of Shakespeare plays and Hector Berlioz wrote one opera inspired by Shakespeare. We’ll hear music from each in today’s show. -
It’s Easter weekend and an appropriate time to feature some of the wonderful music inspired by this ancient celebration. It’s even better when the music is by two of the greatest composers in history. -
We’ve just passed the official start of Spring, so we have a program of music inspired by the season. Some had literary inspirations, some are prayers for spring, and others a celebration of new life after winter. All capture the beauty of the season in vivid tone-painting. -
Composer Max Reger wrote that Bach’s music is “powerful and inexhaustible medicine.” This week we have JS Bach suites for orchestra, solo cello, and solo piano. They are masterfully performed and are indeed a tonic for our hectic lives. -
The musical form known as “serenade” goes back to the troubadours of old. Later composers used the term to describe multi-movement works for small ensemble or large orchestra. This week we have two gorgeous serenades: one for full orchestra by Max Reger and the other for strings by Sir Edward Elgar. -
Music for strings is often associated with heartfelt emotion, and for good reason. We’ve heard it in movies, television and anytime the drama requires a special tug at our heartstrings. We have gorgeous music by Richard Strauss, Anton Bruckner and a familiar work with a mysterious past. -
Hear two 20th century first symphonies born of very different circumstances. One was created under extreme hardship during World War II, the other an affectionate tribute to the composer’s immigrant parents. -
While they’re known as violin sonatas, these masterworks are an equal partnership between the piano and violin. We’ll hear superb examples in two contrasting sonatas by Hugo Alfven and Ludwig van Beethoven.
