Shows
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsWynton Marsalis - March 12, 202590.9 WRCJ's Peter Whorf talks with Jader Bignamini and Wynton Marsalis about the new Detroit Symphony Orchestra release of "Blues Symphony".2025-03-1010 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsMusical Milestones with Christa Grix - Ravel90.9 WRCJ's Christa Grix talks a little about Maurice Ravel as he celebrates his 150th birthday this year.2025-03-0400 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsLouisa Proske and Roberto Kalb - February 22, 202590.9 WRCJ's Haley Taylor talks with Louisa Proske, Director of Detroit Opera's production "Rinaldo" as well as Roberto Kalb the Opera's Music Director and Conductor.2025-02-2120 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsRandall Goosby - January 30, 2025Randall Goosby returns to Detroit to play Florence Price with the DSO this weekend. It's a reunion with 90.9 WRCJ's Peter Whorf who heard Goosby play the Price Violin Concerto No. 2 in Amsterdam last spring.2025-01-2911 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsRobyn Bollinger - November 21, 2024This weekend the DSO performs Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 5. Joseph Haydn’s 100th Symphony opens the program. DSO concertmaster Robyn Bollinger joins 90.9 WRCJ’s Peter Whorf to talk about Mahler, Haydn and Beethoven.2024-11-2104 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsYuval Sharon - October 7, 2024Yuval Sharon and the Detroit Opera are shaking up the opera scene in Detroit. As artistic Director since 2020, Sharon has brought viewers unique performances during the pandemic and beyond. The Opera’s upcoming season will continue to push the boundaries of how opera is presented. Contributor Cecelia Sharpe of 90.9 WRCJ talks with Sharon about the 2024-2025 season, his contract extension and more.2024-10-0641 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsSarah Calderini - September 25, 2024The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 2024-25 season this Friday night at Hill Auditorium. WRCJ's Peter Whorf speaks with A2SO executive director Sarah Calderini about the first few programs of the season, including the opener - with keyboard showcases by Saint-Saens and Rachmaninoff...2024-09-2504 min
WRCJ In-Studio Guests90.9 WRCJ Podcast - Leos Janacek & The Cunning Little VixenLearn more about Leos Janacek and his opera "The Cunning Little Vixen" in this short feature put together by 90.9's Jenna Dell and Adam Hinton. Detroit Opera performs their production May 11-19, 2024.2024-05-0807 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsKenneth Thompkins - February 14, 2024WRCJ is your station for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's 2024 Florida tour this week - taking our ensemble to six cities in the sunshine state. But Principal Trombonist Kenneth Thompkins tells us that the DSO's arrival was anything but sunny...2024-02-1405 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsAnn Arbor Symphony coming to Orchestra HallThe Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra performs for the first time at Orchestra Hall in Detroit on Friday, January 26. It's part of a music-rich weekend in Midtown, which also brings the Sphinx Competition Finals to Orchestra Hall and DPTV. WRCJ's Peter Whorf speaks with A2SO Executive Director Sarah Calderini about this historic happening...2024-01-1103 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsChristine Goerke & Wayne S. Brown - March 31, 2022Live opera returns to the stage and the radio this weekend. Detroit Opera’s new production of Puccini’s beloved La Boheme comes to the Detroit Opera House and 90.9 FM this Saturday night at 6:00, with the performance starting at 6:30. WRCJ’s Dave Wagner hosts. 90.9’s Peter Whorf speaks with Detroit Opera President and CEO Wayne S. Brown and Associate Artistic Director Christine Goerke about the company’s past two years of innovative productions, their upcoming twist on Boheme…and the recent rebranding…2022-03-3112 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsWilliam Eddins - March 3, 2022Earlier this week, WRCJ’s Peter Whorf spoke with pianist Lara Downes about her role in this weekend’s DSO Classical Roots concerts. Now, Peter talks with conductor William Eddins for a further concert preview of what’s ahead in this Friday’s DSO Live broadcast on 90.9FM…with music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Quinn Mason and Florence Price…2022-02-2805 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsLara Downes - March 1, 2022Pianist Lara Downes is the featured soloist in this Friday morning’s DSO Live broadcast at 10:40am on WRCJ and the Michigan Classical Network. Downes speaks with Peter Whorf about the music she’ll perform at Orchestra Hall. She’ll focus on two composers – Scott Joplin and Florence Price – the latter representing an important discovery in Lara’s early musical life…2022-02-2810 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsJauron Perry and William Hill III - February 10, 2022Jauron Perry and William Hill III are students at Detroit School of Arts. Jauron plays trumpet and William is a pianist.
Both of the talented young musicians aim to further their lives in music after their senior year at DSA.
The two are well on their way. William has been busy the past few years performing at music camps at Interlochen Arts Academy, Berklee College of Music and the Juilliard School. Jauron is a veteran of MSU’s Community Music School-Detroit and says he hopes to attend Michigan State next year.
Jauron and Will visited with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf this...2022-02-1014 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsDamien Crutcher - February 4, 2022Dr. Dave speaks with Detroit’s own Damien Crutcher, an MSU alumnus and arts leader, who will be guest conducting the Michigan State University Wind Symphony this Sunday at the Detroit School of Arts. The concert will be re-broadcast on Sunday, Feb. 13 at noon on 90.9 WRCJ.2022-02-0404 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsJoAnn Falletta - January 5, 2022JoAnn Falletta is Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic.
She’s also one of the founding board members of the Claudette Sorel Organization. Sorel was a pianist, teacher and music philanthropist who advocated a higher profile for contemporary music – particularly by women composers. Falletta and WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speak about the remarkable life of Claudette Sorel – commemorated in the recent re-release of classic recordings: Claudette Sorel: Rediscovered.2022-01-0410 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsBarry Harris 2007 InterviewDetroit’s Barry Harris was without argument the greatest teacher in jazz, a brilliant pianist and all-round musician. His house in Detroit was a salon where everybody went to learn and play in the 40’s and 50’s. He moved to NYC in the early 60’s and continued to teach around the world for the rest of his life. In 2007 the Arts League of Michigan, now https://thecarrcenter.org/ , brought Barry to Detroit for a performance at the Detroit Festival of the Arts. He also came to the WRCJ studios for an interview, hosted by Karen Dumas and produced by John Penney...2021-12-1458 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsLeonard Slatkin - November 9, 2021DSO Music Director Laureate Leonard Slatkin recently returned to Detroit to lead the ensemble at Orchestra Hall. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf spoke with the Maestro from his St. Louis home about his recent book "Classical Crossroads" and his DSO reunion performance…2021-11-0912 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsYuval Sharon & Matthew Principe - September 21, 2021Maybe you’ve experienced Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved opera The Marriage of Figaro before – but probably never like this. This Saturday in downtown Detroit, Michigan Opera Theatre plays host to the Mozart masterpiece in a startling new way. WRCJ’s Dave Wagner speaks with MOT Artistic Director Yuval Sharon and new Director of Innovation, Matthew Principe about Bliss – the reimagining of one music’s most sublime moments.2021-09-1918 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsChris Collins - July 31, 2021WRCJ’s John Penney spoke recently with Saxophonist and Artistic Director of the Detroit Jazz Festival, Chris Collins, about this year’s artist line-up and last year’s virtual event. The world’s largest free jazz festival returns to live audiences in downtown Detroit, September 3 – 6.2021-07-3057 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsPUBLIQuartet - July 27, 2021Thursday, July 29th at 1:00pm, PUBLIQuartet begins its residency through virtual events that will be free to the community through the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Wright Museum. The first event is "Reflections on Beauty" a multimedia project about the life of entrepreneur, activist and America's first African-American women millionaire - Madame CJ Walker. PUBLIQuartet presents that project both at the DIA on Thursday, July 29 and again at the Wright Museum on August 25 - which will be followed by a discussion panel with the quartet and Madame Walker's great-great granddaughter and autobiographer A'lelia Bundles. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf Speaks wi...2021-07-2708 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsMatt Landry Pt 2 - June 2, 2021Detroit-based Akropolis Reed Quintet returns to live performance this Friday evening in Detroit’s Beacon Park. Saxophonist Matt Landry spoke with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf in May about his group’s recent recording entitled Ghost Light. Matt returns to talk with Peter about this week’s performance of music from that new release…2021-06-0206 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsMatt Landry Pt 1 - May 26, 2021Detroit-based Akropolis Reed Quintet recently released their latest recording of new works entitled Ghost Light. The collection showcases music by Stacy Garrop, Michael Gilbertson, Niloufar Nourbakhsh, Theo Chandler and Jeff Scott with poetry from Detroit’s Marsha Music. Akropolis notes that “over the past two years, we’ve premiered a series of works dealing with life, death and rebirth…with Ghost Light we wanted to shine a light on ghosts around us…and embrace the beautiful cycle of life and death while recalling important moments and practices from our history.” Akropolis saxophonist Matt Landry speaks with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf about Ghost Li...2021-05-2511 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsGavilán Brothers, Steve Wogaman - May 4, 2021-Gavilán Brothers: A Concert and Film May 8, 2021 8pm-
This week from the Chamber Music Society of Detroit, violinist Ilmar Gavilán and pianist Aldo López-Gavilán perform at the Flagstar Strand Theatre in Pontiac, in a performance of Aldo's genre-defying music rooted in classical, Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban traditions. Listeners can attend in person as part of CMSD’s socially distanced, limited-capacity audience; or watch online from the comfort of your own home.
Before the concert, meet Aldo and Ilmar by watching the online Metro Detroit Premiere screening of "Los Hermanos - The Brothers" on May 6, including a live p...2021-05-0409 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsJohn Penney & Peter Whorf - April 24, 2021John Penney’s conversation with Peter Whorf completes a three month series of insights on great music with WRCJ’s local jazz hosts. In this interview, John shares some of his early memories of classic jazz recordings, starting with his father’s collection of swing era giants…2021-04-2509 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsLinda Yohn & Peter Whorf - March 19, 2021Linda Yohn hosts The Swing Set on Sundays at 7pm on 90.9FM. In a series of WRCJ jazz host conversations with Midday Music’s Peter Whorf, Linda recalls her family’s early influence on her musical life…2021-03-1816 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsHilary Hahn - March 10, 2021Violinist Hilary Hahn has just released her newest recording of music by Ernest Chausson, Sergei Prokofiev and Einojuhani Rautavaara. She begins her conversation with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf explaining why her latest disc is entitled Paris…2021-03-1009 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsMaxine Michaels & Peter Whorf - February 26, 2021Maxine Michaels hosts jazz on WRCJ’s Maxology every Friday at 7pm. She speaks with Midday Music host Peter Whorf about the top musicians and broadcasters who have influenced her throughout her radio career, leading off with a Motown legend…2021-02-2610 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsAfa Dworkin - February 24, 2021This year’s Sphinx Organization concerto competition took place in the virtual space. You can still see the exciting performances by this year’s artists at DPTV.org. Sphinx Organization President Afa Dworkin speaks with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf about this year’s event…2021-02-2407 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsDaniil Trifonov - February 19, 2021Daniil Trifonov’s last two discs have focused on great Russian music of the past century. Trifonov is up for a Grammy for his Rachmaninoff release, and his newest recording, Silver Age, delivers the best of Prokofiev, Scriabin and Stravinsky. Daniil spoke with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf last week…2021-02-1706 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsChrista Grix - Regina Carter 60Christa Grix - Regina Carter 60 by WRCJ 90.9 FM2021-02-0100 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsChrista Grix - Regina Carter 30Christa Grix - Regina Carter 30 by WRCJ 90.9 FM2021-02-0100 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsBEA 2020 Feature/Use of Medium - KaleidoscopeBEA 2020 Feature/Use of Medium - Kaleidoscope by 90.9 WRCJ2021-01-1759 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsBEA 2020 Marketing - Musical GuestsBEA 2020 Marketing - Musical Guests by 90.9 WRCJ2021-01-1701 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsBEA 2020 Musical Programming - Beethoven WeekBEA 2020 Musical Programming - Beethoven Week by 90.9 WRCJ2021-01-1704 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsBEA 2020 Marketing - Jader Bignimini Promo 3BEA 2020 Marketing - Jader Bignimini Promo 3 by 90.9 WRCJ2021-01-1700 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsBEA 2020 Community Involvement - Detroit Memorial DayBEA 2020 Community Involvement - Detroit Memorial Day by 90.9 WRCJ2021-01-1705 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsRachel Barton Pine - January 8, 2021Like all musicians, Chicago-based violinist Rachel Barton Pine isn’t doing the things to which she is most-accustomed these days. But her new digital project, 24 in 24 is exploring her favorite masterworks in new ways. Rachel speaks with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf…2021-01-0812 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsKaleidoscope: A Christmas MasterpieceWRCJ remembers the late Mike Whorf, longtime Detroit radio host of the award-winning series “Kaleidoscope.” This holiday edition from 1997 explores the life of George Frederick Handel and the writing of “Messiah.”2020-12-2059 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsAnthony Wing - December 16, 2020WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speaks with International Symphony Orchestra executive director Anthony Wing about their new digital series. Wing begins their conversation recalling the ensemble’s initial post-Covid response...2020-12-1606 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsJoseph Striplin - December 9, 2020After a decades-long career with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Detroit Symphony Orchestras, violinist Joseph Striplin recently retired from the DSO. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speaks with the current Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra maestro about the next chapter in his musical life, and the beginning of his path to the violin...2020-12-0711 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsSharon Isbin - August 13, 2020Guitarist Sharon Isbin recently released her newest collection of diverse music entitled Affinty.
Sharon speaks with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf about the meaning behind the recording’s title. They discuss the music of several Latin American composers, American composer Chris Brubeck and Chinese composer Tan Dun…who combines sounds of traditional Chinese instruments with Isbin’s guitar…2020-08-1308 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsAugustine Hadelich - July 22, 2020Violinist Augustine Hadelich joined the DSO late in January of 2020 for one of the last live concerts at Orchestra Hall. Hadelich’s newest release Bohemian Tales features Antonin Dvorak’s Violin Concerto, and other works by Czech composers. Augustine Hadelich tell’s WRCJ’s Peter Whorf that last January’s Detroit appearance felt like ages ago…2020-07-2111 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsSuzanne Acton - May 20, 2020WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speaks with Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus director Suzanne Acton about the ensemble’s May 22nd on-line performance and the history of the group…2020-05-2006 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsAnne Parsons - May 15, 2020DSO President and CEO Anne Parsons speaks with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf about how the orchestra is serving the classical music community during the current global crisis.2020-05-1411 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsRobert Garland - March 11, 2020Dance Theatre of Harlem Choreographer in Residence Robert Garland visited the WRCJ studio to talk about the World Premiere of his new dance, “Higher Ground,” set to the music of Stevie Wonder.2020-03-0810 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsThomas Wilkins - March 6, 2020Thomas Wilkins returns to Orchestra Hall to lead the DSO in this weekend’s “Classical Roots” concerts.
WRCJ’s Peter Whorf caught up with the maestro to talk about Beethoven, this weekend’s Detroit-based premiere and more…2020-03-0610 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsAndrew Neer - March 4, 2020Andrew Neer leads the Redford Civic Symphony Orchestra this weekend in a program of exciting film music entitled “Heroes and Fellowship”. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf talks with Neer about this Sunday’s concert…2020-03-0404 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsEliot Heaton - February 21, 2020The Heaton/Pierce/Martin Trio is featured in the Tuesday Musicale Detroit Artist of the Year concert on Saturday, February 22nd at 7:30 at St. James Catholic Church in Novi. Violinist Eliot Heaton joins WRCJ’s Peter Whorf to talk about being a chamber music performer – and concertmaster of the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra.2020-02-2107 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsAlisa Weilerstein - February 21, 2020Cellist Alisa Weilerstein performs Samuel Barber’s concerto with the DSO this weekend. She joins WRCJ’s Peter Whorf to talk Barber, Bach and Beethoven…2020-02-2111 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsISO At The Movies - February 20, 2020WRCJ’s Peter Whorf with International Symphony Orchestra Executive Director and pianist Andrew Wing and Music Director Doug Bianchi.2020-02-2009 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsThe Gryphon Trio - January 24, 2020The Gryphon Trio performs the complete Beethoven Piano Trios as part of Chamber Music Society of Detroit concerts this weekend.
WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speaks with Gryphon members Roman Borys (cello) and Jamie Parker (piano) about Friday’s Grosse Pointe War Memorial concert, Saturday’s Canton performance and Sunday’s Oakland University presentation.
Pictured: Gryphon Trio’s Roman Borys (cello), Annalee Patipatanakoon (violin), Jamie Parker (piano)2020-01-2406 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsJader Bignamini - January 24, 2020Jader Bignamini was named this week as the new Music Director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra starting in the 2020-21 season. Maestro Bignamini first led the DSO in 2018 in their electrifying concert stage production of Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot. This past fall, Bignamini performed again with the DSO in a program highlighted by Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No.4. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speaks with the DSO’s 18th music director…2020-01-2410 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsRachel Barton Pine - January 23, 2020Chicago violinist Rachel Barton Pine now has more than three dozen recordings in her catalog. Pine specializes in thematic collections of violin works not typically brought to the recording studio. Dvorak and Khachaturian are the subjects of her newest release as she chats with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf.2020-01-2207 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsDmitri Sinkovsky - January 17, 2020Following last year’s Vivaldi Four Seasons collaboration with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, violinist, conductor and counter tenor Dmitri Sinkovsky returns this weekend to the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in Plymouth, Bloomfield Hills and Grosse Pointe.
Like fellow Russian artists Alexander Borodin and Peter Tchaikovsky, Moscow native Sinkovsky’s family is rooted in the precise world of engineering. Dmitri starts his conversation with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf by exploring ways that engineering an musical worlds intersect…2020-01-1610 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsBEA Veterans Day - Community OutreachBEA Veterans Day - Community Outreach by 90.9 WRCJ2020-01-0804 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsBEA DSO ConversationsBEA DSO Conversations by 90.9 WRCJ2020-01-0810 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsBEA DSO Statewide LiveBEA DSO Statewide Live by 90.9 WRCJ2020-01-0807 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsBEA Insights On Great Music - Marketing MaterialsBEA Insights On Great Music - Marketing Materials by 90.9 WRCJ2020-01-0803 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsBEA Thanks For Your Support - Membership AppealsBEA Thanks For Your Support - Membership Appeals by 90.9 WRCJ2020-01-0804 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsJazz City MAB Entry 2020Jazz City MAB Entry 2020 by 90.9 WRCJ2020-01-0803 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsJuanjo Mena - December 6, 2019After last Wednesday’s DSO rehearsal, guest conductor Juanjo Mena came to the WRCJ studios to talk about this weekend’s program of Mendelssohn, Haydn and Schubert. Mena tells WRCJ’s Peter Whorf how he’d enjoy a daily dose of Haydn…2019-12-0610 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsInternational Symphony Orchestra - December 2, 2019The International Symphony Orchestra is a two household ensemble with bases in Pt. Huron, MI and Sarnia, ON. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speaks with ISO Music Director Douglas Bianchi and Executive Director Anthony Wing about the orchestra’s upcoming concert and future plans…2019-12-0206 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsOfra Harnoy - November 22, 2019Bach To Bach is the newest release – and the first in two decades – from cellist Ofra Harnoy. The Toronto-based virtuoso took the classical music world by storm in the 1980s and 90s, but has been sidelined by injury for the past few years. Harnoy has recently bounced back to perform, tour and take to the recording studio. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf recently spoke with Ofra Harnoy about her Analekta label recording of music by Bach, Telemann, Corelli and other Baroque masters.2019-11-2104 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsCamille Thomas & Roman Rabinovich Pt1Cellist Camille Thomas and pianist Roman Rabinovich are a busy pair on the move. They first performed together this past summer at Michigan’s Interlochen Center. Tuesday night, Thomas and Rabinovich played a concert of works by Beethoven, Brahms, Frank and Messiaen for the Cranbrook Guild. Thursday, they join forces in Ft. Worth, Texas at the acclaimed Cliburn Concerts. The duo heads to Houston on Friday. Ms. Thomas jets off to Salzburg, Austria later in the month to perform a work written for her – Fazil Say’s Cello Concerto.
Thomas and Rabinovich stopped by WRCJ’s studios earlier this week to talk...2019-11-2111 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsCamille Thomas & Roman Rabinovich Pt2Cellist Camille Thomas and pianist Roman Rabinovich are a busy pair on the move. They first performed together this past summer at Michigan’s Interlochen Center. Tuesday night, Thomas and Rabinovich played a concert of works by Beethoven, Brahms, Frank and Messiaen for the Cranbrook Guild. Thursday, they join forces in Ft. Worth, Texas at the acclaimed Cliburn Concerts. The duo heads to Houston on Friday. Ms. Thomas jets off to Salzburg, Austria later in the month to perform a work written for her – Fazil Say’s Cello Concerto.
Thomas and Rabinovich stopped by WRCJ’s studios earlier this week to talk...2019-11-2110 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsAndrew Neer - November 20, 2019This Saturday, November 23rd, 7:00pm at Bloomfield Hills’ St. Regis Church, Andrew Neer leads the Oakland Choral Society and Orchestra Sono in three masterworks by Bach and Vivaldi. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf invited Neer to our studios this week to talk about the program, and Andrew’s early memories of musicals, choral performance…and Leonard Bernstein…2019-11-2004 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsLeonard Slatkin - November 14, 2019DSO Music Director Laureate Leonard Slatkin leads the ensemble this weekend in works by Hector Berlioz, Mohammed Fairouz and Modest Mussorgsky/Maurice Ravel. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speaks with Maestro Slatkin at Detroit’s Orchestra Hall about Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition…and DSO concerts later this season celebrating Slatkin’s 75th birthday…2019-11-1309 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsStephen Powell - November 13, 2019Stephen Powell performs the title role in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, opening Saturday in the Michigan Opera Theatre production at the Detroit Opera House. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speaks with Powell about his first encounters with the “Demon Barber of Fleet Street”…2019-11-1310 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsDalia Stasevska - November 7, 2019This week at Orchestra Hall, Dalia Stasevska leads the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in Julia Wolfe’s “Fountain of Youth”, Peter Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and the First Symphony by Jean Sibelius. Stasevska and WRCJ’s Peter Whorf talked about the program in our studios earlier this week. Upon first hearing Tchaikovsky’s concerto, colleague and pianist Nikolai Rubinstein famously rejected the masterwork. Dalia Stasevska wonders why…2019-11-0710 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsJeff Zook & Bret Hoag Part 2Flutist Jeff Zook and Guitarist Bret Hoag will be featured at WRCJ’s Classical Brunch at the Birmingham Community House this Sunday morning. Doors open at 11:20am with brunch at 11:30 and music from 12:30 to 1:30. More information and tickets at WRCJFM.org.
Jeff and Bret joined Peter Whorf in the WRCJ studios on Monday for this preview performance and conversation…2019-10-2108 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsJeff Zook & Bret Hoag Part 1Flutist Jeff Zook and Guitarist Bret Hoag will be featured at WRCJ’s Classical Brunch at the Birmingham Community House this Sunday morning. Doors open at 11:20am with brunch at 11:30 and music from 12:30 to 1:30. More information and tickets at WRCJFM.org.
Jeff and Bret joined Peter Whorf in the WRCJ studios on Monday for this preview performance and conversation…2019-10-2107 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsJader Bignamini - October 17, 2019This week marks two return engagements with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Jader Bignamini conducted Puccini’s Turandot at Orchestra Hall in June of 2018. He rejoins former DSO concertmaster Yoonshin Song to conduct Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto in g minor. Soprano Janai Brugger then makes her DSO debut in Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speaks with Bignamini about the program…and how Mahler follows his massive symphonies 2 and 3 with the more intimate number four…2019-10-1609 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsChristopher Allen - Part 1Christopher Allen leads the Michigan Opera Theatre in Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Detroit Opera House. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf has this preview conversation with Allen about the Mozart masterpiece…and why Christopher is so thrilled about his stellar cast…2019-10-1612 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsChristopher Allen - Part 2Christopher Allen leads the Michigan Opera Theatre in Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Detroit Opera House. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf has this preview conversation with Allen about the Mozart masterpiece…and why Christopher is so thrilled about his stellar cast…2019-10-1612 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsDavid Fung - October 4, 2019Pianist David Fung will be one of the many talents on stage at Orchestra Hall this weekend as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra opens its 2019-20 season. Fung joins pianists Christina and Michelle Naughton in J.S. Bach’s Triple Concerto in a program that also includes Mozart’s Concerto for 2 pianos and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.
WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speaks with David about this weekend’s concerts and his new recordings of the complete Mozart piano sonatas…2019-10-0309 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsMichael Fabiano - October 2, 2019Since his 2007 Grand Prize-winning performance at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, tenor Michael Fabiano has been one of opera’s fastest-rising stars. The University of Michigan grad has headlined performances around the world including those with the San Francisco Opera, Glyndebourne Festival, Deutche Oper Berlin, Vancouver Opera and more. Fabiano currently appears in the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Puccini’s Manon.
Michael Fabiano is featured in the Michigan Opera Theatre’s season-opening gala concert on October 12th at the Detroit Opera House. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speaks with Michael about his days at the University of Michigan..and two experi...2019-10-0115 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsSharon Isbin - September 23, 2019Sharon Isbin, one of the leading guitarists of our time, was recently in Michigan for two performances. She gave the world premiere of Chris Brubeck’s Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra a few seasons back. Isbin also played Joaquin Rodrigo’s popular Concierto de Aranjuez with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. In her newest project, she partners with the Pacifica Quartet in music from Spain and Italy. In her conversation with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf, Sharon Isbin talks about her admiration for the Indiana University quartet-in-residence…2019-09-2310 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsRendez-Vous - September 12, 2019This Sunday, September 15, historic Ste. Anne de Detroit Catholic Church presents its annual cultural festival “Rendez-Vous” from 11am-7pm. Metro Detroiters will gather to celebrate the founding heritages of Detroit with French Canadian, Metis, and Native American music, dancing, food and cultural exhibits. The fest also includes a beer and wine tent, children’s activities, and artisans featuring French, Native American, Michigan and Detroit themed merchandise.
WRCJ’s Dave Wagner and Ron Nolan speak with Rendez-Vous participants Geno Picor, Elizabeth Bourne-Nido and Sheila Graziano about Sunday’s events.2019-09-1214 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsNicola Benedetti - August 29th, 2019Violinist Nicola Benedetti and the Philadelphia Orchestra have just released a live concert recording of the 2015 Violin Concerto by Wynton Marsalis. Detroit listeners were among the first to hear the work; Benedetti has performed the concerto at Orchestra Hall in 2017 with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The BBC has also created a television documentary about the making of the concerto. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf recently spoke with Nicola Benedetti about her partnership with Marsalis in introducing the piece to audiences through the music’s direct language…2019-08-2808 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsGemma New - July 18, 2019Hamilton Philharmonic Music Director Gemma New leads the DSO this weekend as part of the Davidson Neighborhood Series. WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speaks with Gemma about the program of Haydn, Mozart and Edvard Grieg’s Holberg Suite: In The Olden Style.2019-07-1809 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsDavid Gier - June 12, 2019David Gier is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance. He holds a Doctorate of Music from Yale University. After serving as the University of Iowa’s music school Dean, Gier returned to UM last summer as the new Dean at the SMTD. He caught up with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf in our studios this week to talk about the school’s newest projects, and remember his days as a Michigan undergraduate trombone student…2019-06-1213 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsSimone Young - May 30, 2019The Passacaglia is a stately triple-time dance of Renaissance Spain. Later re-workings of the three-step open and close this weekend’s Detroit Symphony Orchestra program – first in music by Anton Webern, then in Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. Simone Young leads the DSO in the concert of Viennese composers, and talks with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf about Brahms’ take on the Passacaglia…2019-05-2915 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsKent Nagano - May 23, 2019Kent Nagano is Music Director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and leads the DSO in performances this weekend of music by Anton Bruckner and Sergei Prokofiev. Nagano stopped by the WRCJ studios after Wednesday’s rehearsal to speak with Peter Whorf about his Orchestra Hall program and his new book, Classical Music: Expect the Unexpected…2019-05-2313 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsMatthew Landry - May 23, 2019Starting on May 29th, Ann Arbor-based Akropolis Reed Quintet brings their “Together We Sound” series of outreach concerts to neighborhoods in Detroit and Ann Arbor. Akropolis saxophonist Matthew Landry speaks with WRCJ’s Peter Whorf about the series and a bit of the group’s history…2019-05-2307 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsRicky Ian Gordon - May 8, 2019Ricky Ian Gordon’s opera The Grapes of Wrath tells the iconic American story by John Steinbeck and premieres at Michigan Opera Theatre this Saturday.
WRCJ’s Peter Whorf speaks with Gordon about the adaptation of the literary classic, his work with librettist Michael Korie and creating the piece in cooperation with the Steinbeck estate…2019-05-0614 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsRenee Fleming - September 27, 2018WRCJ’s Chris Felcyn recorded this interview with Soprano Renee Fleming on September 27, and sadly, Chris passed away the next morning. Their conversation took place after a “Music & The Mind” presentation by Henry Ford Hospital and Michigan Opera Theatre, and touched on the power of music, Ms. Fleming’s upcoming performance on 9/29 for the MOT, and her new recording “Broadway.” Thank you for your expressions of kindness for the family and friends of Chris Felcyn.2018-09-2708 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsLouis Lortie - May 3, 2018French Canadian pianist Louis Lortie visits WRCJ today at 1pm, just hours before he dazzles Detroiters with his Beethoven.2018-05-0116 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsHannu Lintu - April 10, 2018Finnish maestro Hannu Lintu visits WRCJ en route to his guest conducting gig this weekend with the DSO.2018-04-0918 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsStorm Large - April 6, 2018Superstar Storm Large rocks "the Cube" at Orchestra Hall, but first she visits WRCJ with the scoop.2018-04-0624 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsDaniel Washington & Prof. Mark Clague - February 12, 2018Daniel Washington & Prof. Mark Clague - February 12, 2018 by 90.9 WRCJ2018-02-1216 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsMonford :60AMonford :60A by 90.9 WRCJ2018-01-3101 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsMonford :30Monford :30 by 90.9 WRCJ2018-01-3100 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsMonford :60BMonford :60B by 90.9 WRCJ2018-01-3101 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsDaniil Trifonov - November 8, 2017WRCJ 90.9 FM is fortunate to have many guests visit our studios, from performers to composers to conductors and more. Our archived interviews are available for your listening pleasure.2017-12-0620 minWRCJ In-Studio GuestsBranford Marsalis - March 23, 2017Legendary saxophonist Branford Marsalis returns to WRCJ to talk with Chris Felcyn about his concerts this weekend with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.2017-03-2115 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsIgudesman & Joo - October 13, 2015Igudesman & Joo - October 13, 2015 by 90.9 WRCJ2015-10-1319 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsAnne Akiko Meyers - October 5, 2015WRCJ 90.9 FM is fortunate to have many guests visit our studios, from performers to composers to conductors and more. Our archived interviews are available for your listening pleasure.2015-10-0519 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsJean Yves Thibaudet - October 5, 2015Jean Yves Thibaudet - October 5, 2015 by 90.9 WRCJ2015-10-0519 min
WRCJ In-Studio GuestsYundi - August 12, 2015WRCJ 90.9 FM is fortunate to have many guests visit our studios, from performers to composers to conductors and more. Our archived interviews are available for your listening pleasure.2015-08-1215 min