Local music

On July 21st, 2021, 91.9 Classical KC celebrated its first birthday live on-air with music curated by local Kansas City musical luminaries.

This week, hosts Michael Stern and Dan Margolies take a look back and a look forward with a program commemorating anniversaries — including the launch of 91.9 Classical KC a year ago. We'll hear music by Bernstein, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky, as well as a performance of Chen Yi's "Fountains of KC" from the Kansas City Symphony's opening subscription concert in Helzberg Hall nearly a decade ago.

Cellist, composer and singer Helen Gillet speaks with Classical KC about her classical influences and training, composing through improvisation, and developing her unique electrified sound. We'll hear her original music as well as a life-changing performance of a Shostakovich string quartet.

Guest host Dan Margolies speaks with the Lyric Arts Trio about commissioning new work, taking their music to smaller underserved communities and the group's musical and personal bonds. We'll hear performances of works by local composers Jean Belmont Ford, Ian Coleman and Robert Pherigo.

This week we feature three performances by The Kansas City Symphony revealing the rich emotional depth of these pieces. We'll also hear what Michael Stern learned from an early mentor of his, Christoph von Dohnányi, a guest conductor on this week's program.

Conductor Chris Kelts and timpanist Bryan Busby join Classical KC for a conversation full of laughs and a shared love for The Kansas City Civic Orchestra. We'll hear how Bryan Busby balances his life as a meteorologist and musician and about some memorable performances with his fellow Civic Orchestra members. We'll also hear music from Paul Dukas and Nikolai Rimsky-Kosakov.

Hosts Michael Stern and Dan Margolies welcome violinist Stefan Jackiw for a program of Mozart, Mendelssohn and Korngold. Plus, Classical KC puts you back in the concert hall with not one but two surprise encores from Stefan.

When concerts dried up last year, the band Making Movies went all over the U.S. to ask legendary musicians what makes their music "American." The resulting documentary airs July 1 on Kansas City PBS.

When concerts dried up last year, the band Making Movies went all over the U.S. to ask legendary musicians what makes their music "American." The resulting documentary airs July 1 on Kansas City PBS.

What's keeping parts of Kansas from getting good internet service, and Waxahatchee on post-pandemic touring and her latest album.

Katie Crutchfield's 2020 album, "Saint Cloud," is an unflinching self-examination about her decision to get sober and "trust her gut."

After summer was (mostly) canceled last year, Summerfest returns with chamber music performances by some of the best local and national musicians. Classical KC speaks with Summerfest artistic advisors and musicians Michael Gordon and Jane Carl about the group's history, mission, and future plans. We'll hear music from composers David Baker, Richard Lavenda and Ottorino Respighi.