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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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. -
Joseph Haydn and his younger brother Michael created some of the finest music of the classical era and we’ll sample it on this week’s show. We’ll hear a brilliant string quintet by Michael and a miraculous symphony by Franz Josef. What more could a music lover ask for? -
In the final program of this profile, Kertész leads music of Vaughan Williams, Respighi, and Bartok. In music ranging from the sacred to the profane, he demonstrates uncanny ability to draw from each genre characteristic and compelling performances. -
Kertész used his experience in the opera house to shape a masterful interpretation of Mozart’s Symphony No. 39. We’ll also hear music by Beethoven and his Hungarian countryman, Zoltan Kodaly. -
Kertész was a master interpreter who breathed life into the music he conducted. We’ll hear that ability on display in recordings of music by Dvořák and Brahms. -
Kertész, one in the long line of great Hungarian conductors, had a huge repertoire and masterful skills at interpreting music. In the first show of this series featuring him, we’ll hear examples of how be inspired both musicians and audiences. -
50 composers were asked to write one variation on a little waltz, but Beethoven created 33 variations of such creativity and originality that it has been described as the “greatest piano work of all.” -
New music for a New Year! We have brilliant piano concertos by John Adams and Thomas Adès. It’s a fascinating view into the evolution of the concerto as we know it. -
Here’s a Christmas playlist with music from the 16th to the 20th century. It’s like a musical progressive dinner! Enjoy while you baste, sip, and wrap.
