Leif Ove Andsnes returns to Heinz Hall to play the Benjamin Britten Piano Concerto No. 1 in its first time out in Pittsburgh. He talks about the concerto, playing it at the BBC Proms in 2019, the Britten record Sviatoslav Richter made with the composer conducting, Richter’s eccentricities, the new Mozart recording he’s just released, and his switch to the Sony label after 35 CDs for EMI. He discusses the music of Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov, which he will play on Saturday night in a special benefit concert at Heinz Hall.  Leif shares with Jim Cunningham his feelings about the conflict in Ukraine and he discusses his recent all Grieg songs recording with Lise Davidsen including a meditation on Spring at the end as especially evocative of the Nordic soul.  

This Friday at 8pm and Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra plays the Pittsburgh premiere of "Herald, Holler and Hallelujah" by Wynton Marsalis.  WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke to Mr. Marsalis and Music Director Manfred Honeck about the piece; how it came to be; and much more in this conversation.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Music Director Manfred Honeck and Vice President of Artistic Planning Mary Persin, sat down with WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham to talk about the Orchestra's 2022-2023 season.  They also discuss their upcoming "Concert for Ukraine" performance taking place on Saturday April 2nd at 7:30pm.  

Pittsburgh Symphony Guest Conductor Juanjo Mena discusses the Lutoslawski Concerto for Orchestra, Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun featuring Lorna McGhee and Rodrigo and Concierto de Aranjuez with Pablo Sainz Villegas. He talks with Jim Cunningham about his work in Cincinnati with the May Festival, his recent recordings, and his thinking about the world emerging from a pandemic and immersed in conflict with Russia and Ukraine.

David Ludwig has composed the Sinfonia Concertante for two clarinets and two bassoons which receives the world premiere February 18 and 19 at Heinz hall with the Pittsburgh Symphony and Manfred Honeck. The new Dean and Director of the music Division at Juilliard  composer David Ludwig sat down with the soloists Michael Rusinek Principal Clarinet with Second Clarinet Ron Samuels, Bassoon  Philip Pandolfi, Principal Bassoon Nancy Goeres and Jim Cunningham to talk over the special features and the creation of the concerto, whether they will wear black, the shape of the music and how it was created.  

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performs two world premieres, plus music of Smetana, Schumann and Stravinsky this weekend at Heinz Hall.  WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke to composer Reza Vali about his brand new piece ""The Girl from Shiraz" from Persian Folk Songs, which features as soloist, Kian Soltani.  Kian also joins the conversation to talk about the Reza Vali piece, as well as playing the Schumann Cello Concerto.  

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performs two world premieres, plus music of Smetana, Schumann and Stravinsky this weekend at Heinz Hall.  WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke to composer Michael Daugherty about his brand new piece "Fifteen: Symphonic Fantasy on the Art of Andy Warhol."   He also talks about other pieces he's working on, winning multiple Grammy's, and more.