Happy Birthday, Rachmaninoff!
April 1 marks the 150th birthday of the beloved composer, Sergei Rachmaninoff. WETA Classical celebrates his birthday all month with features of his music on our daily playlist as well as special programs, including a special presentation of his Vespers on the eve Orthodox Easter on April 15th and a feature of his three operas on WETA VivaLaVoce. Be sure to this blog throughout the month for fun reads about Rachmaninoff as well.
The Woman in White
Join us on Front Row Washington as the US Army Band Pershing's Own Chamber Players pay homage to Joanna Hiffernan, who worked with James McNeill Whistler and is featured in many of his paintings. The intriguing “woman in white” has inspired artists from the Victorian era to today. Whistler took his inspiration from many sources, among them nature, Japanese prints by Hokusai and Hiroshige, and music. Many of his paintings have musical titles, such as Nocturnes, Symphony in White, and Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1. Monday at 9PM ET.
Palm Sunday
This week's Choral Showcase offers a Palm Sunday presentation of the St. Matthew Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach; a dramatic depiction of the passion and death of Jesus, and a profound expression of one man's faith. the compositional details, and the great care Bach took with the final score reveal just how special he thought it was. It's considered to be one of the great works of Western art. Sunday at 9PM ET.
Verdi's Falstaff
Opera Matinee presents Verdi's Falstaff. Verdi’s light-hearted, and final, opera, is based on the character from Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor and replete with merriment and mischief as the knight Falstaff tries to seduce two women to gain access to their husbands’ wealth. Featuring Michael Volle in the title role and Ailyn Pérez as Alice Ford. Saturday at 12:30PM ET.
Beethoven and Bruch
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center come together to present a program of Beethoven and Bruch on Center Stage from Wolf Trap. We hear Beethoven's Trio for violin, viola, and cello, and enjoy the rich sonorities of Bruch's Eight Pieces for clarinet, viola, and piano. Saturday at 9PM ET.
Celebrating Musicians with Disabilities
18-year-old violinist and From the Top alum Julia LaGrand co-hosts this special episode dedicated to celebrating the stories and performances of disabled and neurodivergent musicians. Julia, who is blind, also interviews special guest Itzhak Perlman. We meet a 15-year-old local double bassist from Vienna, Va who began studying music when spina bifida made it difficult to keep up with youth sports leagues, a 14-year-old pianist who uses Braille scores to learn his repertoire, a 26-year-old cellist who believes his musical skills are sharpened by his autism, and a 16-year-old pianist with Escobar Syndrome who shares her journey to millions on social media. They perform works by Grieg, Liszt, and more. Sunday at 6PM ET.
The perfect morning with Classical Sunrise
No matter how hectic your morning may be, take a moment to enjoy the sunrise with Classical Sunrise. Start off your day on the right note!
- Monday 7:02AM Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 7: I. Presto
- Tuesday 7:00AM Vivaldi - Concerto, RV 435: III. Allegro
- Wednesday 6:58AM Rossini - The Barber of Seville: "Zitti, zitti, piano, piano"
- Thursday 6:57AM Handel - Trio Sonata, Op. 2 No. 7: IV. Allegro
- Friday 6:55AM Bach - Flute Sonata, BWV 1031: III. Allegro
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