Classical 91.7, Houston Public Radio

On Friday, tenor Nicholas Phan and pianist Pedja Muzijevic perform a song by Schubert, previewing Da Camera’s next concert. We hear about the Texas Repertory Theatre Company’s new production of Shadowlands, a play about the profound relationship between British writer C. S. Lewis and American poet Joy Gresham. Houston poets, Joseph Campana and Jeannie Gambill, read for us. And we meet the classical music-comedy team of Igudesman and Joo, who are coming to The Grand 1894 Opera House.

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When piloting an airplane, safety has to be the number one consideration Melnikov takes some well-considered risks today, playing Schubert's "Wanderer Fantasy" in the PT studios. .
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This week, the Emerson String Quartet presents Beethoven's Razumovsky Quartet #1 (op. 59/1), soprano Celine Ricci and Ars Lyrica perform solo cantatas by Scarlatti & Handel, and the American String Quartet is joined by violist James Dunham for Bruckner's String Quintet.

by: Anastasia Tsioulcas February 3, 2012
Around The Classical Internet: February 3, 2012

Gustavo con Elmo, leis for a new Hawaiian symphony and head-bumping in Moscow: all the classical music news that's fit to link.

by: Pablo Helguera February 3, 2012
Hell Can Wait

Fridays are funnier with a classical cartoon at noon, from Deceptive Cadence.

by: Anastasia Tsioulcas February 2, 2012
The 'Fourth Orange': An Animated Short On Prokofiev's Life

Watch a beautiful and bittersweet animated short film chronicling Prokofiev's life.

by: Tom Huizenga February 1, 2012
Talk Like An Opera Geek: Musical Signposts

Opera singers must obey the musical traffic signals, knowing an accelerando from a rallentando.
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Music From The Movies,
Saturday, February 4th at 8pm

Join us this weekend as we explore the great themes of John Williams in part II of a tribute to his birthday on February 8th. We will feature music from some popular scores, but also listen to many from his lesser known scores. And if you just can't get enough of John Williams, watch out for the definitive collection coming out February 21st from Silva Screen Records. Tune in this Saturday at 8pm and again Sunday at 5pm only on Classical 91.7.

by: Chris Hathaway February 1, 2012
Music Library Reviews: William Grant Still, Florence B. Price, Xavier Montsalvatge

In this series, Classical 91.7's music librarian Chris Hathaway reviews new additions to our ever-growing CD library. This month, Chris reviews two important new recordings of music by African-American composers and an exciting new disc of music by Spanish composer Xavier Montsalvatge.

Music From The Movies,
Saturday, January 28th at 8pm

Happy Birthday Johnny!...This weekend we'll begin a two part series on the music of John Williams, leading up to his 80th Birthday on February 8th. Johnny, as he was called in the early years, was an accomplished jazz pianist and session musician. His first real long-term collaboration (before Spielberg) was with Irwin Allen and his sci-fi series. Little did he know how far he'd go with Sci-Fi. But it was the late 60's and early 70's with scores such as The Reivers and The Cowboys that he would gain the attention of Steven Spielberg for his film The Sugarland Express. On part one of this series, we'll explore the scores that lead up to the Spielberg era. Tune in this Saturday night at 8pm, with an encore presentation Sunday at 5pm…only on Classical 91.7.

Williams' Two New Scores on This Year's List of Oscar Nominations

John Williams, who will be 80 years old in February, received two nomination from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his scores to "War Horse" and "The Adventures of Tintin". These two scores are completely different in character, both in sound and style. However they remind us of his writings from the mid 80's and early 90's like from "Far and Away", and "Indiana Jones". Though scores today have taken on a new approach, (one of either minimalistic instrumentation and writing, or electronic and other avant garde styles), Williams has maintained his traditional approach to both orchestral color and melodic writing.

by: Eric Ladau January 23, 2012
Classical 91.7-Arte Público Author of the Month: Mara Price

Mara Price has been selected as this month's Classical 91.7/Arte Público Press Author of the Month. Classical 91.7's Eric Ladau spoke with Ms. Price for this installment of the monthly series.

January 13, 2012
NPR Program From the Top Seeks Young Classical Musicians for Houston Recording

From the Top with host Christopher O’Riley, the hit NPR radio program showcasing America’s best young classical musicians, is coming to Houston in May and is looking for local talent for the show, which will be recorded at the Wortham Center in downtown Houston.

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