Thursday, October 2, at 7:00 pm, and Sunday, October 5, at 1:00 pm
Recorded deep in the heart of Texas on the campus of Baylor University in Waco, this week's From the Top features outstanding young musicians, 12-17 years old, from all over the Lone Star State. Performers include a young soprano singing an aria from Strauss' Die Fledermaus, and a very young pianist performing a movement from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. We'll also play a round of our latest goofy musical game called... "Is That Loud or What?!"
Saturday, October 4, at 1:30 pm
Beethoven: Fidelio
There have been plenty of stories about faithful wives springing their husbands from jail. But it's hard to imagine a woman going to greater lengths to save her husband than Leonore, in Fidelio, Beethoven's only opera. In this production from the Washington Opera, Susan B. Anthony gives a stirring performance as the faithful Leonore, with tenor Christopher Ventris as the man who is blessed by her devotion.
Washington Opera Orchestra and Chorus, Heinz Fricke, conductor; Susan B. Anthony (Leonore); Christopher Ventris (Florestan); Eric Halfvarson (Rocco); Korliss Uecker (Marzelline); Ferdinand von Bothmer (Jaquino); Tom Fox (Don Pizarro); Alan Held (Don Fernando).
Saturday, October 4, at 8:00 pm
Harry O'Donoghue hosts this locally produced Celtic music program. Playlists are available at the Green Island archive page.
Sunday, October 5, at 8:00 pm
We're pleased to welcome a new locally-produced program to our weekly line up beginning this month. Tune in Sundays at 8:00 pm for The Spoken Word, a series of insightful, amusing, and provocative performances and talks about literature, the arts, and our culture, recorded at bookstores and other venues around the South and produced in Atlanta. To listen to past programs from The Spoken Word, visit the program website, www.spokenwordproductions.com.
(Cover to Cover continues to air the last Sunday of each month at 8:00 pm.)
(Replaces Selected Shorts)
Monday, October 6, at 11:00 am
October 1, 2003, marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Horowitz. In the Hands of the Master remembers the great pianist in his own words and music. For the first time, we hear original and unedited performances from his legendary return recital, recorded at Carnegie Hall on May 9, 1965. Also commentary and insight about the man, the musician, and the recital, including an interview with Horowitz himself, given just after the concert.
(Pre-empts first hour of Midday Music)
Monday, October 6, at 7:00 pm
Narrated by Leonard Nimoy, The Birthday of the World illuminates the important prayers of the High Holy Days and features some of the most inspiring music in the Jewish liturgical tradition, focusing on the universal themes of redemption and divine forgiveness. The Western Wind Vocal Ensemble is joined by four outstanding cantors, Alberto Mizrahi, Faith Steinsnyder Gurney, Jacob Ben-Zion Mendelson, and Charles Osborne.
(Pre-empts Classical Guitar Alive)
Thursday, October 9, at 7:00 pm, and Sunday, October 12, at 1:00 pm
Recorded at the Riverbend Center in Austin, Texas, this week's From the Top features an outstanding young pianist from San Antonio playing Khachaturian, and four teenagers who like to play Shostakovich in the dark. Also, Roving Reporter Hayley Goldbach will tell us why it's so important to contribute to the "R. B. S. F." What's that? Stay tuned and find out.
Friday, October 10, at 3:00 pm, and Sunday, October 12, at 10:00 am
No song in the Spanish language has captured more attention around the world that "Bésame Mucho" ("Kiss Me a Lot"). Written over 60 years ago, it has been translated into over 20 languages. The song is still popular today, and over the years has been sung in a variety of styles, transcending cultural barriers. This special program, hosted by Gyla Gonzalez of GPR's Latin Beat, examines the cultural history of "Bésame Mucho," following the song around the world and dissecting the simple lyrics that lie at its core. Interviews with performers and music experts help give insight into an important aspect of Latin American culture.
(Pre-empts Georgia Gazette)
Saturday, October 11, at 1:30 pm
Mozart: Don Giovanni
Mozart's Don Giovanni is a character you "love to hate," despicable but compelling. The Washington Opera's Don Giovanni is baritone Erwin Schrott, in a production conducted by Placido Domingo.
Washington Opera Orchestra and Chorus, Placido Domingo, conductor; Erwin Schrott (Don Giovanni); Natalia Ushakova (Donna Anna); Tatiana Pavlovskaya (Donna Elvira); Robert Pomakov (Leporello); Daniil Shtoda (Don Ottavio); Irina Mataeva (Zerlina); Hung Yun (Masetto); Feodor Kuznetzov (Commendatore).
Saturday, October 11, at 8:00 pm
Harry O'Donoghue hosts this locally produced Celtic music program. Playlists are available at the Green Island archive page.
Saturday, October 11, at 9:00 pm
Dick Wallace hosts this locally produced folk show. Playlists are available at the Music Americana archive page.
Thursday, October 16, at 7:00 pm, and Sunday, October 19, at 1:00 pm
From the Top combs the archives for a special highlight edition that features outstanding teenage pianists and piano performances from past shows.
Saturday, October 18, at 1:30 pm
Verdi: La Traviata
For the very first time, renowned soprano Renée Fleming takes on one of opera's most beloved roles. From Houston, Fleming portrays Verdi's Violetta Valery, one of opera's, and literature's, greatest romantic characters. Having the diva die as the final curtain falls may seem like an operatic cliché, but Giuseppe Verdi made the final scene of La Traviata one of the most profound of them all.
Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Chorus, Patrick Summers, conductor; Renée Fleming (Violetta Valery); Paul Charles Clarke (Alfredo Germont); Bruno Caproni (Giorgio Germont).
Saturday, October 18, at 8:00 pm
Harry O'Donoghue hosts this locally produced Celtic music program. Playlists are available at the Green Island archive page.
Thursday, October 23, at 7:00 pm, and Sunday, October 26, at 1:00 pm
This week's edition of From the Top features special guest violinist, Sarah Chang, recognized the world over as one of classical music's most captivating and gifted artists and just a few years older than From the Top's usual teenage performers. She joins host Christopher O'Riley and performers, ages 15-17, including a violinist, a trumpeter, a clarinetist, and a harpist from Paris, France.
Saturday, October 25, at 1:30 pm
Handel: Ariodante
Baroque opera is making a comeback, and this inspiring Houston production of Ariodante shows us why. This opera was first performed at a brand new theatre - a little place called Covent Garden, in London. Ariodante himself seems descended from Shakespeare's Othello - a hero who falsely believes his wife has betrayed him. But this time, the story has a happy ending.
Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Chorus, Christopher Hogwood, conductor; Susan Graham (Ariodante); Alexandra Coku (Ginevra); Oren Gradus (King of Scotland); Christine Brandes (Dalinda); Sally Burgess (Polinesso); John McVeigh (Lurcanio); Nicholas Phan (Odoardo).
Saturday, October 25, at 8:00 pm
Harry O'Donoghue hosts this locally produced Celtic music program. Playlists are available at the Green Island archive page.
Saturday, October 25, at 9:00 pm
Dick Wallace hosts this locally produced folk show. Playlists are available at the Music Americana archive page.
Sunday, October 26, at 8:00 pm
St. John Flynn welcomes Athens author and UGA professor Judith Ortiz Cofer to the studio to talk and take listener calls about her new novel The Meaning of Consuelo. Set in Puerto Rico in the 1950s, a time when American influence is diluting the island's rich culture, The Meaning of Consuelo tells the story of a serious and book-loving young girl, Consuelo, and her fight to survive as her family spirals downwards toward tragedy. We'll also discuss "Nada," Cofer's contribution to After O'Connor: Stories from Contemporary Georgia, a new short story collection from the University of Georgia Press. The toll-free number to call is 1-866-RADIO-GA (1-866-723-4642).
Wednesday, October 29, at 1:00 pm
Lifeline to Health can be heard the fourth Wednesday of each month and features interactive call-in segments, health and fitness news, and feature stories on timely health issues particularly as they relate to ethnic minorities and medically under-served populations in Georgia. Hosted by Carol Snype Crawford, Executive Director of Georgia's Office of Minority Health, Lifeline to Health encourages listeners to reduce health risks and become active in improving and maintaining their health. The call-in number is 1-866-RADIO GA (866-723-4642). For more information, visit the Lifeline to Health website.
(Heard fifth Wednesday this month. Pre-empts third hour of Midday Music)
Thursday, October 30, at 7:00 pm, and Sunday, November 2, at 1:00 pm
From the Top catches up with some of our most memorable alumni to learn what they're up to today and to revisit their extraordinary musical performances. You'll become reacquainted with a talented young woman who aspires to be the first African American solo cellist, a bassoonist who set off our "over-achiever alarm" with his amazing array of skills and achievements, and a wonderful young soprano who moved to the big city to pursue her dreams. You'll also hear the inspiring story of a truly remarkable young man who had to overcome extraordinary odds to continue with his music.
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Page updated 10/1/03