Week of December 6, 2021 - The Music of Poland Come explore the history of Poland through the eyes of her best composers, including the likes of Frédéric Chopin, Maria Szymanowska, and Krzysztof Penderecki – symphonies, polonaises and mazurkas!
Week of December 13, 2021 - Bach Sleeps in on Sundays J.S. Bach spent most of his life in service to the Lutheran church, and Bill notes, “Bach family members worked as church musicians from the time of Martin Luther to Otto von Bismarck… nearly 400 years.” Yet J.S. Bach also wrote wonderful, enduring secular music — especially during a five-year period (1717-22) working for Prince Leopold. We’ll hear cello suites, violin sonatas and partitas, and Brandenburg Concertos.
Week of December 20, 2021 - Holiday Celebration All around the world, winter holidays are celebrated, and their music is wonderful to hear regardless of which tradition you observe. Bill gets us started with Nova Stella, medieval Italian Christmas music with a very early staging of the nativity. We will enjoy Christmas in Paris with music from Debussy, Charpentier and Poulenc and a Polynesian traditional hymn, “Anau Oia Ea,” plus an excerpt from Amahl and the Night Visitors from the original television production. Bill plays us one of his favorites from Ernest Bloch, Sacred Service. On our final day we will listen to Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols, and this week’s celebration will end with more holiday cheer from David Bowie and Bing Crosby.
Week of December 27, 2021 - Musical Dynasties Exploring Music is always delighted to hear ideas for topics from listeners and stations across the country. This week’s topic on “Musical Dynasties” comes from a station in Arizona! Musical Dynasties: Gabrieli, Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Robert and Clara Schumann, Strauss: the Johanns and Richard and pop, Haydns: Joseph and Michael.
