Classical KC

This week pianist Alon Goldstein joins hosts Michael Stern and Dan Margolies for a program of concertos by Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky and Avner Dorman — a world premiere — that starts with Alon sneaking on stage in darkness. We'll also learn about the personal connection between Alon and the Stern family via the America Israel Cultural Foundation.

This week we have two marvelous works by Johannes Brahms not originally composed for orchestra. But when reimagined for a full symphony orchestra, they are even more glorious. One was transformed by Brahms himself, and the other by composer Bright Sheng. With the resources and colors of a full symphony orchestra, we hear Brahms at his most magnificent.

Classical KC speaks with the director of The Kansas City Youth Percussion Ensemble, Kevin Clarke, plus two talented young members of the group. We'll hear performances of eclectic music that explores the large world of percussive sound.

In an episode called “Surprise Symphonies” we have a Haydn symphony, but not the one you might expect, plus the one and only symphony by French composer Ernest Chausson. These works are two symphonies in B-flat, by two composers who were both 35 years old at the time.

We are proud to once again share a recent Harriman-Jewell Series Livestream Discovery Concert. This time, we’ll hear a performance by pianist Zhu Wang, winner of the 2020 Harriman-Jewell Series prize, as well as First Prize in the 2020 Young Concert Artists International Auditions.

This week we feature more music from the Kansas City Symphony's return to Helzberg Hall after a year away. We'll hear emotional and cathartic performances of music by Carlos Simon, Michael Abels, Samuel Barber and more. We'll also hear the original chamber version of Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring."

This week we feature the Kansas City Symphony's return to Helzberg Hall after a year away. We'll hear performances of music by Ulysses Kay, Shostakovich, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. We'll also find out what it's like for the Maestro and the musicians to perform in front of cameras instead of an audience.

Wilhelm Furtwängler was a brilliant conductor, but a controversial genius, whose legacy still inspires debate. His remarkable musicianship is on display in three recordings of music by Weber, Schumann, and Beethoven – all central to the German musical canon to which he was so dedicated. This series of five programs of these great conductors ends with perhaps the most enigmatic and most interesting interpreter of the group.

Allegro Choirs of Kansas City has been helping young singers grow as musicians and people for over 20 years. Founder and Director Christy Elsner and graduating senior Lexi Dixon share music and stories with Classical KC, such as a humorous and emotional 2012 performance at the White House. We'll hear a wide range of music, including part of a performance with The Kanas City Symphony and Symphony Chorus of Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem."

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.