Hear Music Inspired By Door County
Monday, August 10, 2015, 11:15am
Each week, WPR’s "Wisconsin Classical" features performances by musicians from around the state. A recent show also included music inspired by Wisconsin: "A Door County Suite" by Oscar Haugland, which can be heard here . The music was performed as part of the Midsummer...
Met Opera Broadcast Host Juntwait Has Died
Wednesday, June 3, 2015, 1:50pm
The Metropolitan Opera has announced that host Margaret Juintwait died on Wednesday from ovarian cancer. Here is the opera's statement released on Wednesday: The Metropolitan Opera mourns the death of our radio host Margaret Juntwait, who passed away this morning after a long battle with...
WPR Broadcasts Madison Opera's 'Barber Of Seville'
Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 10:50am
This Saturday at noon, Wisconsin Public Radio presents Madison Opera’s production of Rossini’s “The Barber Of Seville.” This is the second of two broadcasts from the most recent Madison Opera season. One of the greatest comic operas ever written, the story features a count...
WPR Will Broadcast Madison Opera's 'Fidelio'
Monday, May 11, 2015, 4:40pm
Wisconsin Public Radio is pleased to present two productions by Madison Opera , beginning with Beethoven’s "Fidelio" on Saturday at noon. Beethoven’s only opera is an ode to freedom. To rescue her husband, a political prisoner, the noblewoman Leonore, disguises herself as a...
Composer Laura Schwendinger Talks About 'Creature Quartet' Debut
Thursday, May 7, 2015, 9:05am
The JACK Quartet on Friday will perform the premiere of University of Wisconsin-Madison-based composer Laura Schwendinger’s "Creature Quartet ."
"Creature Quartet" consists of four larger movements that are framed by smaller movements, each one an ode to an extinct, endangered or...
Turkish Composer Eryilmaz Discusses Classical Music Outside Of Europe
Wednesday, April 22, 2015, 4:20pm
As a native of Turkey, composer, pianist and conductor Erberk Eryilmaz has a somewhat unique perspective about classical music outside of Europe. Eryilmaz was born in Samsun, Turkey in 1989. He started his music education when he was 3 years old and has studied at the Samsun Conservatory, Hacettepe...
'Simply Folk' Celebrates 35 Years
Wednesday, September 3, 2014, 1:45pm
Wisconsin Public Radio is celebrating 35 years of "Simply Folk" on the air. The program started in 1979, with the first show featuring recordings made at the Great River Folk Festival in La Crosse in 1978. Host Stephanie Elkins looks back with music heard that first year, several songs on...
How Long Will Your CDs Last?
Monday, August 18, 2014, 4:15pm
Some of you will remember when compact discs first came along. In addition to wonderful, scratch-free sound and amazing dynamics, manufacturers reported that CDs would last forever (essentially) if taken care of.
Madison Youth Choir Performs On 'The Midday'
Friday, July 18, 2014, 4:15pm
Members of the Madison Youth Choir visited WPR studios on Friday to perform on "The Midday," hosted by Norman Gilliland. Next week, the group travels to Aberdeen, Scotland, where the members will perform at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. Gilliland spoke with artistic director...
'Fresh Air' Host Terry Gross Interviews Singer-Songwriter Mary Gauthier
Tuesday, June 24, 2014, 2:00pm
Mary Gauthier is a favorite of Simply Folk listeners, appreciated for her powerful, evocative songs and raspy voice. She's also Terry Gross's guest on this edition of “Fresh Air” . In classic Terry Gross fashion, the conversation is wide-ranging and candid. Gauthier opens up...
Folk-Grass Band Dead Horses Visits WPR And Records A Session
Wednesday, June 18, 2014, 12:15pm
The band Dead Horses , a four-piece folk/bluegrass ensemble based in Oshkosh that’s just finishing up its second album, came in for a session in WPR's Buck Studio.
We shared a little conversation, and they provided a preview of five powerful new songs. There was beautiful and effortless...
Make Time To Make Music, Says 'Simply Folk' Host
Wednesday, June 4, 2014, 4:50pm
A lot of people’s musical careers end with their last band or choir class in high school — and that’s a shame, according to Wisconsin Public Radio music host Stephanie Elkins. Elkins, a musician and host of “ Simply Folk , ” said making music can provide a lifetime of...
New Audiences For New Music
Friday, May 30, 2014, 2:15pm
You may have seen the Apple iPad commercial that features conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen. In just over a week, it's been viewed more than 300,000 times on YouTube.
The ad shows Salonen using software to write and score his violin concerto (reviewed here in the New Yorker...
Blended International Sounds
Saturday, May 24, 2014, 7:00pm
The weekend broadcast Higher Ground, is your home to world music where the doors open and welcome unique global styles. Jonathan will be there to greet and connect you with musical friends old and new. Stop by and stay awhile, Saturday night at 7:00pm Central. #1038 Edition Features: a blend of...
'Dead Man Walking' Opera Composer Discusses Influences, Motivations
Monday, May 19, 2014, 4:15pm
The opera version of “Dead Man Walking” has become something of a modern classic. Written by Jake Heggie, t he opera, with a libretto by Terrence McNally, is b ased on Sister Helen Prejean’s book that inspired the movie of the same name. It tells of a nun’s journey as the...
Opinion: Kennedy Center Safeguards Mission After Appointing New President
Wednesday, December 11, 2013, 4:51pm
Wednesday was a banner day for women.
Not only did General Motors in Detroit announce its first female chief executive, but the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington , D.C., followed suit. Deborah F. Rutter, currently in her 13th year as president of the Chicago Symphony...