by: Brad Sayles January 25, 2013

Music from the Movies

This weekend, we'll compliment our Music Lab's broadcast of the Houston Youth Symphony with a look at films scores about child prodigies. Join Brad Sayles as he explores James Horner's score to Searching for Bobby Fischer, Mark Mancina's August Rush, along with a few others. Tune in this Saturday night at 8pm and again, for an encore presentation, Sunday at 5pm... or catch online right here at Classical917.org.

January 29, 2013

Houston Youth Symphony in Concert

Listen to our special program (originally aired on 1/26) celebrating the 65^th anniversary of Houston Youth Symphony.  Artistic director & conductor Michael Webster joins MusicLab intern Princeton Miles in the studio to introduce some of the best performances by the orchestra from the past few years. 

January 18, 2013

Opera Cheat Sheet: Maria Stuarda

Download and listen to our quick overview of Gaetano Donizetti's Maria Stuarda, which is this week’s Metropolitan Opera broadcast airing on our station Saturday at noon.

by: Brad Sayles January 18, 2013

Music from the Movies

A Tapas of Hitchcock
This weekend, we'll take just a sampling of the enormous body of music that came from the films of Alfred Hitchcock. And throughout the show, we'll feature cues from Danny Elfman's Hermann-esque score to the 2012 film Hitchcock. We'll take a listen to many of the composers that influence the Hitchcock sound. Tune in this Saturday at 8pm and again Sunday at 5pm...or tune in right here online at classical917.org.

January 16, 2013

Houston Symphony names Andrés Orozco-Estrada as new music director

Houston Symphony President Robert A. Peiser and Executive Director and CEO Mark C. Hanson announced today that the Orchestra has selected Colombian-born, Vienna-trained conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada as its next Music Director. Orozco-Estrada, who will occupy the Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair, will serve as Music Director Designate during the 2013-14 season and will begin a five-year contract in the 2014-15 season. Orozco-Estrada’s appointment was formally announced on the Jones Hall stage today in front of several hundred people, including the orchestra, staff, board, local media and Houston’s Mayor, the Honorable Annise D. Parker.

by: Eric Ladau January 14, 2013

Artful Thursday: The French Taste For 19th-Century Spanish Painting

In this installment of Classical 91.7's Artful Thursday, Gary Tinterow, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, sat down for a talk about the French taste for 19th-century Spanish painting with our own Eric Ladau. Join Eric to hear more from Mr. Tinterow this Thursday evening at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

January 11, 2013

Opera Cheat Sheet: Il Trovatore

Download and listen to our quick overview of this week's Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Giuseppe Verdi's Il Trovatore, Saturday at 12 noon.

by: Brad Sayles January 11, 2013

Music from the Movies

Two takes on one movie.
This weekend we'll explore the soundtracks to The Island of Dr. Moreau. The 1977 version was composed by Laurence Rosenthal while to the 1996 version was composed by Gary Chang. Both versions of the film were based on the H.G. Wells classic story, but each composer had a different way of telling it. We'll compare these two scores and hear how each composer's take was unique but still alike. Tune in this Saturday at 8pm and again Sunday at 5pm.

January 4, 2013

Opera Cheat Sheet: Les Troyens

Download and listen to our quick overview of this week's Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Hector Berlioz's Les Troyens, Saturday at 11AM.

January 4, 2013

At Home With John Lunn: Composer of the Downton Abbey Soundtrack, Sunday, January 6th at 3PM

Fans of Downton Abbey are no doubt looking forward to the debut of season 3 on Houston PBS, Sunday, January 6^th at 8PM, followed at 10 by Manor of Speaking, our new locally-produced live show featuring a studio audience and a rotating cast of local celebrity fans and cultural experts eager to discuss the Downton episode that just aired. 
 
To whet your appetite for these brand new shows, join Classical 91.7 Sunday, January 6^th at 3PM for At Home With John Lunn: Composer of the Downton Abbey Soundtrack which features the British composer talking about his life and career, composing for Downton Abbey, the Edwardian era, and some of his favorite music from the period.

by: Chris Hathaway January 3, 2013

Music Library Reviews: Walter Braunfels and Beethoven

In this series, Classical 91.7's music librarian Chris Hathaway reviews new additions to our ever-growing CD library. This month, Chris reviews a short-lived conductor remembered and more (and very good) music from Walter Braunfels re-revealed.

by: Brad Sayles December 21, 2012

Music from the Movies

A "not-so" Christmas Soundtrack - Gremlins
This weekend we'll explore Jerry Goldsmith's complete score to Gremlins. This fantastic score features some incredible writing by this venerable composer. Goldsmith shows off his ability to meld orchestral and synth music into a pallet only suitable for a movie of this nature. Join Brad Sayles this Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 5pm to hear this wonderful score...only on Classical 91.7.

by: Dacia Clay December 20, 2012

Meta Radio, Episode 8: St. John Flynn

Meta Radio is a completely unofficial, unauthorized look inside of Classical 91.7! Get to know the people who work at your classical radio station.

In our eighth episode, we meet Classical 91.7 Program Director and host of the Front Row, St. John Flynn.

Contained in this episode: adult beverages, British people, and advice from seasoned professionals.

December 20, 2012

Opera Cheat Sheet: The Barber of Seville

Download and listen to our quick overview of this week's Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Rossini's The Barber of Seville, Saturday at noon.

by: Brad Sayles December 14, 2012

Music from the Movies

An Unexpected Show!
Howard Shore has taken us back to Middle Earth with his latest score to The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. These scores are truly based off of the Tolkien classics. When writing the music, Shore would sit with the book and sketch musical ideas that paralleled what he was reading. Shore is surround by what he calls "his own Shire", and he looks at each of these scores as his own "quest". Tune in this Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 5pm to hear how he takes what has already been established and creates a new but familiar score.

December 14, 2012

Opera Cheat Sheet: Aida

Download and listen to our quick overview of this week's opera broadcast of Verdi's Aida, Saturday at noon.

This week, Classical 91.7's program director, St.John Flynn, and opera expert, Eric Skelly, discuss Giuseppe Verdi's grand opera Aida, a story of love and betrayal set in Ancient Egypt. You can hear the Metropolitan Opera's production of Aida Saturday at noon on Classical 91.7 and online at classical917.org.

December 10, 2012

Do You Know We're On the Air? (a holiday greeting from Classical 91.7)

It's Classical 91.7's premiere music video! Please enjoy this heartfelt - and occasionally on-key - parody of the 1984 classic, "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid, with love, from our staff to you.

December 8, 2012

Opera Cheat Sheet: Un Ballo in Maschera

Download and listen to our quick overview of this week's Houston Grand Opera broadcast of Giuseppe Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera, Saturday at noon.

This week, Classical 91.7's St.John Flynn & Eric Skelly introduce and give a quick overview of Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, the story of the demise of the Swedish king Gustavo who falls in love with his best friend’s wife.  The new Metropolitan Opera season debuts with Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera Saturday at noon on Classical 91.7 and online at classical917.org.

by: Brad Sayles December 7, 2012

Music from the Movies

This weekend we sample some wonderful Jewish-themed scores. We'll hear from Alfred Newman's score The Diary of Anne Frank as well as music by Ernest Gold and James Newton Howard. Some of these scores offer a juxtaposed sound to what would otherwise be expected. Others employ the use of solo instruments as a way to "tell" the story. Tune in this Saturday at 8pm and again Sunday at 5pm, or online at Classical917.org.

by: Eric Ladau December 6, 2012

Classical 91.7-Arte Público Author of the Month: Samuel Carraballo

Samuel Carraballo has been selected as this month's Classical 91.7/Arte Público Press Author of the Month. In the next installment of a series of monthly features, Classical 91.7's Eric Ladau spoke with Mr. Carraballo.

by: Chris Hathaway December 1, 2012

Music Library Reviews: Alice Parker and Esa-Pekka Salonen

In this series, Classical 91.7's music librarian Chris Hathaway reviews new additions to our ever-growing CD library. This month, Chris reviews a remarkable new album of carols.

November 30, 2012

Opera Cheat Sheet: Maria Stuarda

Download and listen to our quick overview of this week's Houston Grand Opera broadcast of Gaetano Donizetti's Maria Stuarda, Saturday at noon.

This week, Classical 91.7's program director, St.John Flynn, shares excerpts from an interview with superstar American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato who sang the title role in Houston Grand Opera’s 2012 production of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda, the story of the rivalry between Mary, Queen of Scots and her cousin Elizabeth I of England.  You can hear Houston Grand Opera's production of Maria Stuarda Saturday at noon on Classical 91.7 and online at classical917.org.

by: Brad Sayles November 30, 2012

Music from the Movies

The Life of Pi

Composer Mychael Danna has composed a score that is derived from a personal passion of Indian music. Danna, married to an Indian woman, has extensively studied Indian and other ethic music, which he uses a plenty in this film score. He combines this with his beautiful, ethereal orchestral music writing to create a sonic pallet unlike any heard in quite a while. Join Brad Sayles this weekend to explore this wonderful score. Tune in Saturday at 8pm and again Sunday at 5pm.

by: Brad Sayles November 23, 2012

Back to Bond

MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES

Now that the feast is over...grab your leftovers and join us this weekend as we explore the music from Thomas Newman's latest installment of James Bond in Skyfall. Newman has crafted a unique score...unlike any we've heard before in a Bond movie. Many composers have come before, some have stayed on longer than others. Tune in to see if this one measures up! Join Brad Sayles this Saturday at 8pm and again Sunday at 5pm.

November 21, 2012

Opera Cheat Sheet: Don Carlos

Download and listen to our quick overview of this week's Houston Grand Opera broadcast of Giuseppe Verdi's monumental Don Carlos, Saturday at noon.
 
This week, Classical 91.7's program director, St.John Flynn, shares excerpts from an interview with American tenor Brandon Jovanovich, who sang the title role in Houston Grand Opera’s 2012 production of Verdi’s Don Carlos, the story of the conflicts in the life of the heir to the Spanish throne after his betrothed is married instead to his father the King.  You can hear Houston Grand Opera's production of Don Carlos Saturday at noon on Classical 91.7 and online at classical917.org.

November 16, 2012

Opera Cheat Sheet: The Rape of Lucretia

This week, Classical 91.7's program director, St.John Flynn, shares excerpts from an interview with American soprano Michelle DeYoung, South African baritone Jacques Imbrallo, and Scottish maestro Rory Mcdonald from Houston Grand Opera’s 2012 production of Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia, the story of the defilement and subsequent suicide of a virtuous woman in Ancient Rome.  You can hear Houston Grand Opera's production of The Rape of Lucretia Saturday at noon on Classical 91.7 and online at classical917.org.

by: Brad Sayles November 20, 2010

Music From The Movies with Brad Sayles is 2 years old!

This is a rebroadcast of Brad's first episode of Music from the Movies. Thanks for two great years!

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1&2....The release of the new Harry Potter movie this weekend marks the beginning of the end of the HP franchise after nearly a decade.

Join Classical 91.7's Brad Sayles as he features selections from the soundtracks to the new movies by Alexandre Desplat and looks at how the Harry Potter film scores have evolved since John Williams penned the music for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in 2001. You'll hear excerpts from Potter scores by all four of the composers who have contributed to the HP films: Williams, Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper, and Alexandre Desplat.

*Programing note: The Saturday show will be incomplete due to the broadcast of "Live from Carnegie Hall". The full MFTM show will air Sunday at 5pm.

> visit the MFTM page

by: Dacia Clay November 12, 2012

Meta Radio, Episode 7: Angela Schmidt

Meta Radio is a completely unofficial, unauthorized look inside of Classical 91.7! Get to know the people who work at your classical radio station.

In our seventh episode, we meet Classical 91.7 announcer, Angela Schmidt.

In this Meta Radio, you'll find opera singers, fish mongers, and that guy who did the "Gangnam Style" song.

by: Brad Sayles November 9, 2012

Music from the Movies

Sweeping Orchestral Film Scores!

This weekend we explore the music of Clifton Parker. Best known for his sweeping orchestral seafaring music, Parker enhanced every film he worked on. We'll listen to music from his film scores to Treasure Island, The Blue Lagoon, and others. Tune in this Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 5pm.

November 8, 2012

Opera Cheat Sheet: La Traviata

This week, Classical 91.7's program director, St.John Flynn, shares excerpts from an interview with Russian soprano Albina Shagimuratova and American tenor Chad Shelton from Houston Grand Opera's 2012 production of Verdi's La Traviata, the story of the love between the dying courtesan Violetta and the young and besotted Alfredo.  You can hear Houston Grand Opera's production of La Traviata Saturday at noon on Classical 91.7 and online at classical917.org.

by: Brad Sayles November 2, 2012

Music from the Movies

Music that spans generations.

This weekend, we'll explore the music by three composers...for one film...Cloud Atlas. This visually amazing film will also keep your mind spinning as the stories span several hundred years. Composer Tom Tyker was also the co-screenwriter and co-director for the film. Tyker, along with fellow composers Johnny Klimek and Reinhold Heil note that the music in this film is not just there as an underlying emotional booster, but rather the thread that ties the whole film together. The main theme is central for this film as it is a composition that is composed within the film while following the story of a composer who keeps putting off his life work (ala Mr. Holland). Join Brad Sayles this Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 5pm to explore this evocative score.

November 2, 2012

Opera Cheat Sheet: Fidelio

This week, Classical 91.7's program director, St.John Flynn, shares excerpts from an interview with New Zealand tenor Simon O'Neill from Houston Grand Opera's 2011 production of Beethoven's Fidelio, a story of politics and a woman's love for her husband.  You can hear Houston Grand Opera's production of Fidelio Saturday at noon on Classical 91.7 and online at classical917.org.

by: Chris Hathaway November 1, 2012

Music Library Reviews: Georges Cziffra and Schumann Choral Works

In this series, Classical 91.7's music librarian Chris Hathaway reviews new additions to our ever-growing CD library. This month, Chris reviews previously unpublished Cziffra, a stunning new recording of music for cello and orchestra and Schumann choral works.

by: Brad Sayles October 26, 2012

Music From The Movies

This weekend we'll explore just a taste of the suspense and horror side of Jerry Goldsmith. We'll listen to The Omen and Poltergeist! Goldsmith was a master with the orchestra. He knew not only how to evoke a memorable score...but also how to evoke the emotional side of the audience. Tune in and listen for yourself to the power of Jerry Goldsmith's music. Join us this Saturday at 8pm and again Sunday at 5pm. Only on Classical 91.7FM.

October 26, 2012

Opera Cheat Sheet: The Barber of Seville

This week, Classical 91.7's program director, St.John Flynn, shares excerpts from an interview with soprano Ana Maria Martinez and baritone Nathan Gunn from Houston Grand Opera’s 2011 production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, the story of the wily barber’s efforts to secure the lovely Rosina’s hand in marriage for the besotted, and disguised, Count Almaviva.  You can hear Houston Grand Opera's production of The Barber of Seville Saturday at noon on Classical 91.7 and online at classical917.org.

by: Brad Sayles October 21, 2012

John Williams' Lincoln - Part II

Join us this Sunday for part two of our special campaign version of Music from the Movies, as we explore John Wiliams' new score to the Steven Spielberg film Lincoln. (read more)

by: Brad Sayles October 19, 2012

John Williams' Lincoln Part I

On Part I of our special campaign version of Music from the Movies, we'll explore John Wiliams' new score to the Steven Spielberg film Lincoln. (read more)

by: Eric Ladau October 17, 2012

An Afternoon with Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval

Renowned trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is set to perform with Baytown Symphony Orchestra at Lee College on Sunday, October 21st.  In anticipation of this performance, Classical 91.7's Eric Ladau sat down for a conversation with Mr. Sandoval.

by: Eric Ladau October 16, 2012

Classical 91.7-Arte Público Author of the Month: Josefina Lopez

Josefina Lopez has been selected as this month's Classical 91.7/Arte Público Press Author of the Month. In the next installment of a series of monthly features, Classical 91.7's Eric Ladau spoke with Ms. Lopez.

October 12, 2012

Opera Cheat Sheet: Nixon In China

Download and listen to our quick overview of this week's opera broadcast of John Adams's Nixon in China, Saturday at noon.

by: Brad Sayles October 12, 2012

Music from the Movies

Thirteen Days
This weekend, we honor the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis with Trevor Jones' evocative score. Built around a crescendo of fear, Thirteen Days is a score that stands out as among the best in its class. Known for his fusion of orchestral textures and electronic effects, Jones has written a score that not only depicts exactly the growing fear and possible devastation from this event, but is able to tie in the humanity which ultimately rounds out this well written score. Join Brad Sayles as he and Andrew Schneider explore this lost gem on a score.

October 5, 2012

Opera Cheat Sheet: The Marriage of Figaro

Download and listen to our quick overview of this week's opera broadcast of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, Saturday at noon.
 
This week, Classical 91.7's program director, St.John Flynn, shares excerpts from an interview with bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi and conductor James Gaffigan from Houston Grand Opera's 2011 production of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, the story of the wily servant's efforts to keep his wife-to-be out of the clutches of his master the Count.  You can hear San Francisco Opera's production of The Marriage of Figaro Saturday at noon on Classical 91.7 and online at classical917.org.

October 8, 2012

Meta Radio, Episode 6: Announcer Chris Johnson

Meta Radio is a completely unofficial, unauthorized look inside of Classical 91.7. Get to know the people who work at your classical radio station!

In our sixth episode, we meet Classical 91.7 announcer and producer, Chris Johnson.

In this episode, look out for signs from God, pizza, swing dancing, and Weezer.

by: Brad Sayles October 5, 2012

Music from the Movies

This weekend, join Brad Sayles as he explores the seafaring disaster film score to Irwin Allen's Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. This score was composed by the sci-fi cinema composing duo: Paul Sawtell and Bert Shefter. In the 70's Allen's films were garnished with scores by John Williams, thus launching his film career. But these earlier scores set the tone for other composers to follow. Tune in this Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 5pm.

October 2, 2012

The Practice Room: a new online series

The Practice Room is Classical 91.7's new online series that takes you into the hidden world of college music students.  In this episode, we follow clarinet major Alex Doyle on her journey to Clarinetfest. Why do woodwind players hate flying? Will Alex make the finals?? If you don't like to explore new worlds - if you don't like adventure - turn back now!

by: Eric Ladau October 1, 2012

Classical 91.7-Arte Público Author of the Month: Alberto Hidalgo-Robert

Alberto Hidalgo-Robert has been selected as this month's Classical 91.7/Arte Público Press Author of the Month. In the next installment of a series of monthly features, Classical 91.7's Eric Ladau spoke with Mr. Hidalgo-Robert.

by: Chris Hathaway October 1, 2012

Music Library Reviews: Judith Lang Zaimont and Vivaldi

In this series, Classical 91.7's music librarian Chris Hathaway reviews new additions to our ever-growing CD library. This month, Chris reviews the piano music of Judith Lang Zaimont (some of it new) and a captivating new recording of Vivaldi concertos.

by: Brad Sayles September 28, 2012

Music From The Movies

This Saturday, come ride a dragon and get swept away with John Powell's Oscar nominated score to How To Train Your Dragon. Join Brad Sayles, and a few very special guests, as they explore this well-developed symphonic score.

> visit the MFTM page

September 24, 2012

Opera Cheat Sheet: Xerxes

Download and listen to our quick overview of this Saturday's opera broadcast of George Frideric Handel's Xerxes, Saturday at noon.
 
This week, Classical 91.7's program director, St.John Flynn, shares excerpts from an interview with soprano Laura Claycomb and counter-tenor David Daniels from the cast of Houston Grand Opera’s 2010 production of Handel’s opera, Xerxes, the story of the love quadrangle between Xerxes, King of Persia, his brother Arsamene, and Romilda and her sister Atalanta.  You can hear San Francisco Opera's production of Xerxes Saturday at noon on Classical 91.7 and online at classical917.org.

September 21, 2012

Opera Cheat Sheet: Lucrezia Borgia

Download and listen to our quick overview of this Saturday's opera broadcast of Gaetano Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia, Saturday at noon.
 
This week, Classical 91.7's program director, St.John Flynn, and opera expert, Eric Skelly, discuss Donizetti’s opera, Lucrezia Borgia, the femme fatale, renowned for her ruthless pursuit of power, whose vulnerability is unveiled when she comes face to face with her long-lost son.  You can hear San Francisco Opera's production of Lucrezia Borgia Saturday at noon on Classical 91.7 and online at classical917.org.