Monthly Archives: October, 2021

S06 Ep09: A Feast of Frights

Published - October 30, 2021

“I feel the nights stretching away thousands long behind the days till they reach the darkness where all of me is ancestor.” ― Annie Finch, Spells: New and Selected Poems   It’s just about Hallowe’en, which brings many things to mind.  For example, did you know that the witches hat and broomstick, even their affinity for cats, can all be traced back – to beermaking?   And going about in disguise was only to ward off unwanted spirits. Well, we have a bit of magic on today’s program, along with a monster or two, to put you in the mood for Hallowe’en.  There

Read More

October 29, 2021: Barry Torres, Schola Cantorum

Published - October 29, 2021

  Schola Cantorum of Syracuse will be performing “Les Deux Guillaumes” for the next two weekends.  Director Barry Torres joined mid-day host Diane Jones to talk about the importance of this music, and the talents of the Schola Six, a select group of talented singers who specialize in the close harmonies of these works.   The Schola Cantorum website is available here.

Read More

October 28, 2021: Jeffrey Siegel, “Fantastic Fantasies”

Published - October 28, 2021

  Jeffrey Siegel is coming back to the Munson Williams Proctor Art Institute for another in his Keyboard Conversation series.  This time it is “Fantastic Fantasies,” and Jeffrey spoke to mid-day host Diane Jones about just what a “fantasy” means to these composers.  He also shared a wonderful story about the start of several collaborations with Maestro Zubin Mehta!   Information about Keyboard Conversations can be found here.

Read More

October 27, 2021: Christian Capocaccia & Keith Harris, Syracuse Opera

Published - October 27, 2021

  The Syracuse Opera Company is kicking off the 2021-22 season with a production of Mozart’s “The Impressario.”  In the second of two conversations, we spoke with Christian Capocaccia (General & Artistic Director of Syracuse Opera) and Keith Harris (“Mr. Bluff”) about the production.  They brought insight into finding the soul of the characters and the music, and the excitement of this wonderful, light opera from Mozart.   The Syracuse Opera website is available here.

Read More

October 25, 2021: Michael Connor & Emily Misch, Syracuse Opera

Published - October 25, 2021

  The Syracuse Opera Company is kicking off the 2021-22 season with a production of Mozart’s “The Impressario.”  Two of the stars, Michael Connor (“Mr. Scruples”) and Emily Misch (“Madame Goldentrill”), stopped into the Classic FM studios to talk about this production, performing in this new theater space, and their experiences with this rarely performed opera in the past.   The Syracuse Opera website is available here.

Read More

S06 Ep08: Marching to a Different Drum, Part 2

Published - October 23, 2021

“The thing about playing percussion is that you can create all these emotions that can be sometimes beautiful, sometimes really ugly, or sometimes sweet, sometimes as big as King Kong.”   – Evelyn Glennie   A singer always has their instrument with them.  A cellist, a flutist, they carry a bit more – one, or perhaps several, instruments, music, music stand, and accessories like rosin, or cleaning cloths.  But a percussionist – well, let’s just say, most of them drive a van.  Drums, sticks, shakers, woodblocks, marimbas, vibraphones, stands for their music and all of their instruments.  Not to mention the

Read More

WCNY’s Ivory Tower to Air its 1000th Episode

Published - October 22, 2021

“Ivory Tower” is a weekly round-table discussion that focuses on news and events from the perspective of academicians from across Central New York. The show is hosted by David Chanantry, Professor of Journalism, Utica College and Director of the New York Reporting Project. WCNY will air the 1000th episode of Ivory Tower Friday, Oct 8 at 8 pm. “Ivory Tower” began in 2002 under the idea of bringing a show to CNY that would bring a debate-style model and discussion between academics on current events and important topics. Ivory Tower has brought together academics from colleges across CNY, ranging from

Read More

October 22, 2021: Julian Schwarz, Symphoria

Published - October 22, 2021

  Cellist Julian Schwarz is returning to Syracuse once again, to perform with Symphoria.  He spoke to mid-day host Diane Jones about the Shostakovich Cello Concerto, the wonderful instrument he has, and the joys of performing live in Syracuse once more.   The Symphoria website is available here.

Read More

October 21, 2021: Chelsea Opera Company

Published - October 21, 2021

  The Chelsea Opera Company is presenting its first Syracuse production this weekend – “The Medium” by Gian Carlo Menotti.  Chelsea co-founder Leonarda Priore and Producing Artistic Director Garrett Heater chatted with mid-day host Diane Jones about the production and just what makes this opera company unique.   Learn more about the Chelsea Opera Company at their website, here.

Read More

October 20, 2021: Victor Vallo, Syracuse Chamber Orchestra

Published - October 20, 2021

  There’s a new ensemble in town!  The Syracuse Chamber Orchestra is giving it’s inaugural concert this Sunday at OCC in Syracuse.  Founder and music director Victor Vallo stopped into the Classic FM studios to share more about the orchestra, the talented musicians who are performing, and how the ensemble hopes to grow in this vibrant arts community.   Learn more about the Syracuse Chamber Orchestra at their website, here.

Read More

Syracuse Mayoral Debate

Published - October 20, 2021

WCNY hosted the 2021 Syracuse Mayoral debate on Oct 18 between Mayor Ben Walsh (I), Councilman Khalid Bey (D), and Candidate Janet Burman (R). The debate was an hour long and used clips from WCNY’s “SPD: Reckoning and Reform” followed by questions from the moderator. The debate centered around public safety in the city of Syracuse. The moderator was WCNY’s Host of the Capitol Pressroom, David Lombardo.  

Read More

S06 Ep07: On the Podium, Part 3

Published - October 16, 2021

“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” – Plato   With Marin Alsop’s tenure at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra ending, we are left without a single woman serving as Music Director among the top 25 largest ensembles in the US.  It is not a lack of talent, however, and this week we hear from several amazing women who have taken their place on the conductor’s podium.   On the Podium, Part 3 Paul Desenne:  Verano: Cumbión Tostao, from 2 Seasons

Read More

October 15, 2021: Heather Buchman, “Libba Cotten: Here This Day”

Published - October 15, 2021

  The Society for New Music is presenting a newly commissioned opera about the life of Libba Cotten.  Music Director Heather Buchman was in the WCNY studios to talk about this opera – how it came to be, and the life of this remarkable woman who won a Grammy at the age of 93.   The Society for New Music website is available here.

Read More

S06 Ep06: Patchwork Quilt, Part XXIX

Published - October 9, 2021

“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.” – Pablo Casals   Time for another Patchwork Quilt episode.  No special theme, just great music from talented women!   Patchwork Quilt, Part XXIX   Samantha Sack:  A Kiss in the Dark Janácek Phlharmonic Orchestra; Jirí Petrdlík, conductor “Prisma, Vol. 5” Navona 6344 Mariella Cassar-Cordina:  Waiting Malta Philharmonic Orchestra; Sergey Smbatyan, conductor “Contemporary Colours: New Music by Maltese Composers” Navona 6322 Laura Schwendinger:  Flourscenza Mat Haimovitz, cello “Primavera I: The Wind” PentaTone Classics 5186286 Rain Worthington:  Within Deep Currents Janácek Phlharmonic Orchestra; Stanislav Vavrinek, conductor “Sparks, Vol. II:

Read More

October 8, 2021: Wu Han, Syr. Friends of Chamber Music

Published - October 8, 2021

  The Wu Han-Setzer-Finckel Trio will be opening the new season of the Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music.  Wu Han spoke to mid-day host Diane Jones about the concert, the excitement of performing live again, and how the incredible relationship between the members of the ensemble shine through on stage.   Information about the concert and the Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music is available here.

Read More