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Kansas City Local Feature
Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Join Classical KC each weekend as we feature Kansas City musicians and ensembles.

  • Kansas City's Midwest Chamber Ensemble has been presenting diverse concert programs and eclectic performance opportunities for over a decade. Brooke Knoll speaks with artistic director and violist Kathryn Hilger about the group's mission, recording projects and upcoming season. We'll hear music by Claude Debussy, Igor Stravinsky, Joan Tower and Robert Schumann.
  • The globe-trotting, multi-disciplinary musician and composer Matthias Pintscher will take over the reigns of the Kansas City Symphony from Michael Stern this summer. Brooke Knoll speaks with him about his early life, how he got the gig in Kansas City and what his plans are for the orchestra. We'll hear his original compositions, plus music by Sergei Rachmaninoff.
  • Born in Prairie Village, tenor Ben Bliss has a very busy international performing career, including performances at the Metropolitan Opera and the great opera houses of Europe. He will be starring in the Lyric Opera of Kansas City's upcoming production of "Romeo et Juliette." Brooke Knoll speaks with Bliss about his journey from Kansas to the great concert halls of the world, meeting his Juliet and what's on the horizon for him.
  • Located in Kansas City's Crossroads neighborhood, Folk Alliance International has been bringing together folk musicians, fans and industry professionals since its founding in 1989. This work includes an annual conference, often taking place in Kansas City, that brings thousands to the city. Brooke Knoll speaks with Folk Alliance Development and Partnership Director Alex Mallett about the organization, plus we'll highlight some of the classical-crossover artists performing at this year's conference.
  • Acclaimed pianist and writer Jeremy Denk speaks with Brooke Knoll about his early life as a self-proclaimed "weird kid," overcoming musical obstacles and coming to Kansas City to perform. We'll hear Jeremy's recordings of music by Johann Sebastian Bach and Camille Saint-Saëns.
  • From the fun to the formal, renowned wind quintet WindSync has been entertaining audiences of all ages for 15 years. Ahead of their performance in Kansas City, Brooke Knoll speaks with group members Kara LaMoure and Graeme Steele Johnson about WindSync's origins, innovative educational programs and recordings. We'll hear music by Marc Mellits, Miguel del Aguila and Ivan Trevino.
  • The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is one of Europe's great ensembles. Brooke Knoll speaks with Royal Philharmonic violinists Erik Chapman and Sali-Wyn Ryan about the history of the orchestra, its "royal" name and coming to Kansas City to perform with renowned pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason. We'll hear music by Maurice Ravel, Ernő Dohnányi, Sergei Prokofiev and Sergei Rachmaninoff.
  • Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center musicians are collaborating with the Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City for a performance at The Folly Theater. Classical KC's Brooke Knoll speaks with Friends co-artistic director and Society cellist, Dmitri Atapine, and Society pianist Gloria Chien about joining forces for this concert. We'll hear music by Johannes Brahms, Frédéric Chopin, Antonín Dvořák and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
  • Opera sensation Joyce DiDonato joined Classical KC to share reflections on the past year and her excitement on returning home to Kansas City to perform with Michael Stern and the Kansas City Symphony. We'll hear Joyce sing works by Charles Ives, Gustav Mahler, Jake Heggie and more.
  • Since 1982, William Jewell College has partnered with Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral to present "The City Come Again" as a gift in music and word to Kansas City. Dr. Ian Coleman, Chair of the Department of Performing Arts at William Jewell College, hosts this program featuring students, faculty and special guests performing seasonal music, poetry, and more.