10 Questions For Conductor JoAann Falletta
Thursday, January 30, 2020, 2:00pm
JoAnn Faletta, the Grammy Award-winning American conductor is music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Their latest release, "Forgotten Treasures," celebrates her 20th anniversary with the orchestra. She recently spoke with WPR about her career, the orchestra and music both new and old...
Take A Tour Of The Blues, The Source For So Much American Music
Thursday, January 30, 2020, 1:15pm
The blues are the rootstock of so much American music. From rock 'n' roll, soul and folk to country, R&B and jazz and beyond, it would be hard to spend a day anywhere in the U.S. and not hear blues or the music that was influenced by the blues.
On Centenary Of His Birth, Folk Legend Pete Seeger Remembered For Musical, Social Contributions
Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 12:00pm
In a time of division in our world along political, religious, economic and philosophical lines, the 100 th anniversary of Pete Seeger's birth is a chance to honor someone who, as he once said, "sang for everybody."
Enjoy The New Milwaukee Symphony Broadcast Series On WPR
Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 1:55pm
WPR’s Lori Skelton hosts this national series of broadcast concerts by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. The 13-part series will air Sundays starting Jan. 5, 2020, at 2 p.m. on the NPR News and Classical Music Network, and on the Classical HD Network. Since its founding in 1959, the Milwaukee...
Yuja Wang: The Berlin Recital
Friday, December 27, 2019, 9:00am
Nominated for a 2019 GRAMMY for Best Classical Instrumental Solo, "The Berlin Recital" features pianist Yuja Wang performing music by Rachmaninoff, Ligeti, Scriabin and Prokofiev.
Folk Music That Fits The Season
Wednesday, December 18, 2019, 10:30am
Christmas music, it seems, is everywhere this these days, from all-Christmas music radio stations to the background tunes played in the local grocery store. But there are a lot of celebrations taking place this time of year, and the music — especially folk music — embraces a wide range of traditions and communities.
Two Guitars - Red & Black
Friday, December 13, 2019, 12:00pm
Norman welcomes guitarists Miles McConnell and Gabor Szarvas to The Midday. Together they're known as Red and Black. They perform several pieces by Granados, Bach and Lennon & McCartney and others.
The Past Is Present On 'Songs Of Our Native Daughters'
Thursday, December 12, 2019, 10:20am
Part of the inspiration for the 2019 album "Songs of Our Native Daughters" came from a tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. that Rhiannon Giddens took with her daughter.
Isthmus Brass
Tuesday, December 10, 2019, 12:00pm
Isthmus Brass conductor John Stevens and tuba player Mike Forbes talk about the free concert they'll be giving on Thursday, December 12 at First United Methodist Church in Madison. Norman plays several selections from their album "We need a little Christmas."
The Metropolitan Opera Begins Its 89th Season
Tuesday, December 3, 2019, 3:20pm
The new season of Saturday Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts begins Dec. 7 on Wisconsin Public Radio, and continues through May 9. Launched in 1931, the Met’s matinee broadcasts are the longest-running continuous classical radio series in American broadcast history. This season includes favorites like Verdi’s "La Traviata" and Puccini’s "La Boheme," plus a new production of Gershwin’s "Porgy and Bess." All broadcasts start at noon on WPR, except where otherwise noted (one starts earlier).You can learn more about the operas, productions and casts on the Metropolitan Opera website .
Thanksgiving Day 2019
Thursday, November 28, 2019, 8:00am
The special Thanksgiving Edition of Morning Classics includes lots of American music plus highlights from this year's Wisconsin School Music Association Honors Concerts.
Cellist Denish Traynor
Wednesday, November 27, 2019, 12:00pm
Norman talks to cellist Dinesh Traynor who was the Grand Prize winner of the 2019 Betty Frost Jenkins Young Artist Concerto Competition and will performed with the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra on December 7 and 8. He's a senior in High School in Stevens Point. He performs several selections...
The Bluegrass Sound Has Taken Root In Wisconsin
Wednesday, November 27, 2019, 6:30am
In December 1945, Earl Scruggs joined Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys, bringing the Scruggs-style three-finger banjo playing to the band. Many people point to that moment as the birth of what we now call bluegrass music.
WPR Music Hosts Share Songs To Drive The Cold Away
Tuesday, November 26, 2019, 12:00pm
Now that winter has settled in and made itself at home, WPR's music hosts offer this varied selection of music to add some light and warmth to your days. In the words of an old ballad:
