@ the Symphony

What did Jeremy Reynolds, classical music critic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, think of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s concert with conductor Elim Chan and pianist Jan Lisiecki? Listen to his immediate reactions as he spoke with WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham at the end of the concert during our live broadcast of March 7, 2025.

During intermission of our live broadcast of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham spoke with guest conductor Elim Chan, guest pianist Jan Lisiecki, and PSO Vice-President of Artistic Planning Mary Persin about the just release 2025-2026 Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra season.

WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham spoke to Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Horn Michelle Hembree and Principal Contrabassoon James Rodgers prior to the concert of March 7, 2025 which was broadcast live. Both spoke about the concert, working with conductor Elim Chan, significant parts for their instrument in the pieces and more.

Maestro Manfred Honeck talks about the program for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s concert this weekend, on February 21st and 23rd.

The program features Hannah Ishizaki’s new composition “Spin”, Korngold’s Symphony in F Sharp, and Mozart’s 25th Piano Concerto. He also speaks about how delighted he was to receive an honorary Doctorate at Duquesne University this past week. Manfred looks forward to seeing the newest WQED documentary “A Conversation with Manfred Honeck” on Thursday, February 27th at 8 pm. He had a wonderful conversation with WQED Board Chair Emerita Millie Myers, and hopes everyone enjoys the show.

Composer and violinist Hannah Ishizaki talks about her commissioned music “Spin”, which will receive its world premiere at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on February 21st and 23rd.

Hannah talks about how the Pittsburgh Symphony influenced her as she knew several players growing up in Pittsburgh. She also describes how she wove in electronic dance music, or EDM, into her piece. She even divulges the conversation she had with Manfred Honeck about dance music, like that from the ball season in Vienna.

Hannah also speaks about her musical influences, her study in Pittsburgh, her work at Julliard, her travels in Europe, and her mother and father’s help in pursuing it all.

At 24 years old, the young composer is looking forward to basking in this success, and the many more to come.

Pianist Emanuel Ax talks with Jim Cunningham about Mozart’s 25th Piano Concerto, which he will play February 21st and 23rd at Heinz Hall.

He also discusses his return next year to play Brahms’ First Concerto with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, his tour with clarinet Anthony McGill from the New York Philharmonic, and his tribute to Sir Andrew Davis in Toronto. Emanuel also highlights his favorite Mozart pianists, and his project of recording all the Beethoven Symphonies with Leonidas Kavakos.

He shares stories about his friendships with Peter Serkin and Yo-Yo Ma too.

Hear all about it from Emanuel’s lips in this episode!

Violinist Maria Duenas shares her thoughts on the Saint-Saens Third Violin Concerto with Jim Cunningham. She plays it February 14th, 15th and 16th with Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony. She is delighted to return to Pittsburgh on the very day her new 2-cd set on DG with all the Paganini Caprices is released on cd, download, vinyl, and special edition with Polaroid photos for fans. Is she doing anything romantic for Valentines Day? The handsome gentleman accompanying her on this trip to Pittsburgh was one Valentine—her Father, who said he is very much enjoying the visit.

Composer Carlos Simon talks with Jim Cunningham about his “Four Black Dances,” which Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony will record for the Reference label on Valentines weekend 2025 along with the Dvorak New World Symphony. He also speaks about his Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson music written for Sandra Seaton’s play as performed in Pittsburgh with Pittsburgh Opera and Washington DC. What he’s working on next and his admiration for Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony, his post at the Kennedy Center as Composer in Residence all weave into the discussion in the Grand Lobby at Heinz Hall after his rehearsal.

Maestro Elder talks with Jim Cunningham in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel downtown Pittsburgh about his Pittsburgh Symphony concerts of January 31st and February 2nd, 2025 with principal Oboe Cynthia Koledo de Almeida playing Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto, Pohjohla’s Daughter by Sibelius, and the Shostakovich Symphony No. 15. What does it all mean? The William Tell Overture quote, Wagner, and self reference along the way. Even with comments from Shostakovich’s son Maxim that we’re in a musical toy box of childhood and suggestions that Shostakovich is mourning the deaths of Stalin’s victims we still don’t have all the answers.

Sir Mark discusses his new post in Valencia Spain, his work with the BBC Proms, his statement about the Gulf War that was “blown completely out of proportion “ and resulted in his removal from the concert. He chooses some career highlights of working with living composers such as Thomas Ades and Harrison Birtwhistle, mentions his joy working with Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo, recording a highly praised Wagner Ring Cycle and many other amazing nights from his four decades with the Halle Orchestra, touring with English National Opera and making hundreds of records which encompassed a complete Vaughan Williams Symphony cycle. He is amazed at the composer’s talent, loves the Pastoral Sixth which is much more than “cows looking over the gate,” and has loved his concerts with the Pittsburgh Symphony.

Maria Duenas talks with Jim Cunningham about her new 2-cd set with the complete Paganini Caprices and related caprices, one a world premiere by Gabriela Ortiz. Also the Jordi Cervello Milstein Caprice. It’s to be released on Valentines Day, when she returns to Heinz Hall to play the Saint-Saens Third Concerto with Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony. She discusses her award winning recording of the Beethoven Concerto with Manfred Honeck for DG and accepting the award on national TV in Berlin for the ZDF network. You can get the new disc in a two-disc vinyl set or in a Fanbox. What’s in the box? Maria has the scoop.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra cellist Charlie Powers, and Dr. Mark Meyer of UPMC joined WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham on the QED Morning Show to talk about the next “Shoulder to Shoulder” concert with doctor and pianist Dr. Barry Coutinho. The concert takes place on February 5th at the Herberman Conference Center at the UPMC Conference Center at Shadyside Hospital. The concert features Charlie and other PSO Musicians joining Dr. Coutinho in music of Chopin, Liszt, Piazzolla and Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” Shoulder to Shoulder’s mission is to improve health outcomes in San Jose del Negrito, Honduras and the surrounding rural communities by empowering these communities to provide sustainable comprehensive primary health care.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performed Samy Moussa’s “Elysium,” Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 with pianist Janice Carissa and conductor Osmo Vanska. WQED-FM broadcast the concert on Friday January 17, 2025 live! Jim Cunningham spoke to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Classical Music Critic Jeremy Reynolds to get his initial thoughts on the concert, as well as some of the other articles he’s writing.