The Acting Company Workshop in Pittsburgh

The Acting Company, a touring company that develops acting talent by producing a mix of classical and new plays, is coming to Pittsburgh to teach a workshop for students in collaboration with the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

Two cast members of the company, DeAnna Supplee and Robert Cornelius, spoke in this episode about the workshop. They also spoke about their work in Two Trains Running, a play by Pittsburgh playwright, August Wilson, that is touring across the United States with The Acting Company.

DeAnna and Robert talk about how the students will interact with August Wilson’s plays through movement, text analysis, and a whole lot of fun. They also both share stories of how they first interacted with an August Wilson play. DeAnna in one class about contemporary plays written by Black writers, and Robert seeing his first play at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.

Both describe how Two Trains Running portrays Black communities in the 1960s, and how that sense of community has been replaced by social media today. They hope that the students will have fun, but also take away the power of August Wilson’s words.

You can find tour dates of The Acting Company’s national tour of Two Trains Running and Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors at https://theactingcompany.org/national-tour.

They will be in Pittsburgh in two weeks for the workshop, and are looking forward to seeing the August Wilson African American Cultural Center and hopefully the August Wilson House!

Portraits with the Pittsburgh Camerata

Want to hear music that links to an art exhibit? Pittsburgh Camerata will be doing just that on February 9th!

Artistic Director of the Pittsburgh Camerata, Mark Anderson, spoke about this special program called Portraits that will feature the “Soul’s Shot” exhibition. The exhibit, which started in Philadelphia, features paintings, sculptures and other art created by local artists who worked closely with families affected by gun violence. Mark discusses how the exhibition was started, and why it is coming to Pittsburgh with the Camerata.

The concert will feature commissioned work by Michael Markowski for the Camerata’s 50th anniversary. The program will feature a theme of unity, redemption, and community, something that Mark believes we all need now more than ever.

This event is part of Shadyside Presbyterian Church’s Music in a Great Space series. It will also feature a reception where the art exhibition can be viewed. Mark reflects on the significance of communal music, and how it brings people together. He also reflects on the challenges faced by arts organizations in the post-pandemic area, and how people can support the art in their communities.

You can hear Portraits by the Pittsburgh Camerata on Sunday, February 9th at 3 pm at Shadyside Presbyterian Church. Souls Shot will showcase alongside the Pittsburgh Camerata on Sunday February 9th, after the concert in the Sharp Atrium of the Presbyterian Church, running from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. This exhibition is free to attend.

Visit https://pittsburghcamerata.org/events/february-9-2025/ to learn more.

St. Olaf Choir at East Liberty Presbyterian

In this episode, Jim Cunningham is joined live by Dr. Edward Alan Moore, the organist and choir director at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. They preview an upcoming concert by the world-renowned St. Olaf Choir on Sunday, February 9th.

Dr. Moore describes the choir as a premier a cappella ensemble with a beautiful sound, one that hasn’t been heard in Pittsburgh since 2015. The group will also be performing with a chamber ensemble of strings, that includes well known violist, Charles Gray.

The program will include a diverse mix of songs, including some Bach, Palestrina, and music from previous conductors of the choir. They will also sing some Norwegian music, spirituals, and music by Alice Parker. Dr. Moore also talks about an arrangement of Beautiful Savior that the choir usually does to conclude their concerts. The themes of the concert are praise, consolation, hope, joy, compassion, and unity.

You can hear the St. Olaf Choir perform at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church on Sunday, February 9th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available online or at the door.

Visit https://cathedralofhope.org/event/cathedral-concert-st-olaf-choir/ to learn more.

Keiko Fukazawa Retrospective: The Space in Between

In this episode, we sat down with exhibitions director at Contemporary Craft, Yu-San Cheng, to explore their upcoming exhibition “Keiko Fukazawa Retrospective: The Space in Between”.

This display showcases work by California-based artist Keiko Fukazawa over the span of 40 years. Keiko started as a painter in Japan and became a ceramics artist after moving to the United States. Her work blends ceramics and conceptual art and is organized into three themes for this exhibition: Culture Clash, ARTivism, and In Betweenness. Each of these themes represent a different stage in her creative evolution throughout the years.

Yu-San talks about meeting Keiko and picking out pieces for the exhibition. She also shares the story of Keiko finishing a recent work for this exhibition.

You can see “Keiko Fukazawa Retrospective: The Space in Between” from February 7th to May 16th at Contemporary Craft’s main gallery on Butler Street. There will be a free opening reception on Friday, February 7th from 5:30 to 8 pm. There is also an Artist-Led Guided Tour on Saturday, February 8th at 11 am. Free RSVPing is recommended.

Visit https://contemporarycraft.org/exhibition/keiko-fukazawa-retrospective-the-space-in-between/exhibition-overview/ to learn more about this exhibition!

Barry Coutinho Shoulder to Shoulder Benefit Concert

In this episode, pianist Dr. Barry Coutinho spoke about his upcoming benefit concert for Shoulder to Shoulder on February 5th.

Dr. Coutinho talks about the program he will be performing in the concert with members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The pieces include Chopin’s Tristesse, Liszt’s Rigoletto, and the Winter and Spring movement of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Suite. He has played the Liszt’s paraphrase on Verdi’s Opera Rigoletto many times in public, but this will be the first time for Chopin’s Tristesse. He will be dedicating the Vivaldi to his mother, and Piazzolla’s Le Grande Tango to his son.

He talks about his work as a family medical doctor at UPMC Shadyside, and his work teaching medical students. Dr. Coutinho also talks about how music is good for the soul, and it could also reduce your stress.

You can hear Dr. Barry Coutinho and members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at the Herberman Conference Center at UPMC Shadyside on Wednesday, February 5th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25 for adults, and $10 for students. All proceeds go towards Should to Should Pittsburgh, which seeks to improve health outcomes in Honduras.

Visit https://www.shouldertoshoulderpgh.org/tickets/ to learn more.

Piffaro presented by Chatham Baroque

In this episode, Anna Singer is joined by Artistic Director of Piffaro, Priscilla Herreid.

Piffaro is a Philadelphia-based wind ensemble dedicated to bringing historically informed performances of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque period to the stage with around 40 different instruments played by a group of 7.

Priscilla discusses the group’s return to Pittsburgh for Chatham Baroque’s 2024/2025 concert series. The ensemble will be performing the story of musical immigration as experienced by the 16th century Italian Bassano Family.

Priscilla talks about the Bassano family, a multi-generational group of Italian wind musicians whose influence stretched across Europe during the time of King Henry VIII’s reign. They blend Italian Renaissance styles with the burgeoning Tudor music scene at the time. They also represent a unique intersection of cultures and traditions.

Priscilla talks about the program which features music by Giovanni Bassano, Thomas Morley, and even a piece composed by King Henry VIII himself! She also highlights the unique instruments the ensemble will play, including recorders, shawms, sackbuts, and much more.

You can hear Piffaro on Saturday, February 8th at 7:30 pm at the Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside.

Visit https://www.chathambaroque.org/concert/piffaro-the-bassanos-from-renaissance-italy-to-tudor-england/ to learn more and find tickets!

An Everlasting Sound with Tuesday Musical Club

Tuesday Musical Club is featuring African American Composers in their next recital on February 11th!
Organizer of the recital and pianist, Janet Stivanson, discusses the program for the concert.

Janet will be accompanying violinist Stephanie Swoveland in a Suite for Violin and Piano by William Grant Still. She will also be accompanying Terri Denmon-Agin in a contemporary suite, Legends by Valerie Colman.

Soprano Sarah Richards will be returning to perform Three Spirituals by Harry Burleigh. John McCarthy will play the viola in a Florence Price piece, and the whole program will end with a lively rendition of Price’s Piano Quintet in A Minor.

You can hear “An Everlasting Sound: Honoring Our African-American Composers” at Rodef Shalom’s Levy Hall on Tuesday, February 11th at 1 pm. As always, you can hear this free concert on their YouTube Livestream!

Visit https://www.tuesdaymusicalclub.org/events/public/article/an-everlasting-sound-honoring-our-african-american-composers-/5862/c15/ to learn more.

Butler County Symphony Orchestra’ Shostakovich Five!

Butler County Symphony is searching for a new Music Director, and their upcoming concert will feature one finalist!

Jim Cunningham spoke with violin concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, David Kim, about his upcoming concert with the Butler Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, February 8th. David talks about one of the finalists for Butler’s music director, Austin Chanu, who was formerly the assistant conductor at the Philadelphia Orchestra.

David talks about his home roots in Clarion, PA, and his love of returning to Southwestern Pennsylvania. He also discusses first meeting Austin Chanu when Austin auditioned for the Philadelphia Orchestra. He highlights how he mentored Austin throughout the orchestra’s season.

David talks about the sound of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and how each orchestra around the world has a different sound. He also describes working with famous conductors over the years, and how Maestro Manfred Honeck’s compassion during a hard time in David’s life, brough him comfort and solace.

With audiences back to pre-pandemic levels, David is optimistic more than ever about the future of classical music, so long as people continue to innovate with their programming.

You can see David Kim and Austin Chanu with the Butler Symphony Orchestra perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 in D minor on Saturday, February 8th at 7:30 pm.

Visit https://butlersymphony.org/ to learn more.

Jacob Joyce with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra

In another live interview, Pittsburgh Symphony’s Associate Conductor, Jacob Joyce, joined Jim Cunningham on the WQED-FM morning show to discuss Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra’s concert on Sunday.

This exciting program is sponsored by the Allegheny Historic Preservation Society, in their Tiffany Concert series. The Youth Symphony will be performing a diverse program featuring the orchestra’s talented students, and their concerto winners. Jacob talks about the program, which includes Holst’s St. Paul’s Suite, Haydn’s C Major Cello Concerto, Schubert’s C Major string quintet, and one of Prokofiev’s sonatas.

Jacob also talks about the Pittsburgh Symphony’s upcoming performance of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 15, the last of his symphonies. He then teases the Youth Symphony’s next concert on March 9th, which celebrate Women’s History Month and features a program of female composers.

You can hear the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra this Sunday, February 2nd at 4 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church. Visit https://ahps-pgh.org/event/the-pittsburgh-youth-symphony-orchestra-2/ to learn more and find tickets. You can also purchase tickets at the door.

Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida Shostakovich’s Final Symphony

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s principal oboist, Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida, spoke live on the WQED-FM morning show with Jim Cunningham about her personal connections to Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Oboe Concerto. She will be performing the piece this weekend with the orchestra, as well as Shostakovich’s Final Symphony No. 15.

Cynthia reflects on her emotional journey with the Oboe Concerto, sharing how she once wrote a lullaby for her children, which was inspired by the melodies of Vaughan Williams. With a career spanning over three decades, she also shares how her interpretation has evolved over the years. She talks about how her upcoming performance will be infused with wisdom and experience.

Cynthia also discusses her collaboration with guest conductor, Sir Mark Elder, who is a Vaughan Williams expert. The Pittsburgh Symphony prepares for an amazing program featuring Sibelius’ Pohjola’s Daughter, Vaughan Williams, and Shostakovich.

You can hear Cynthia this tonight and this Sunday, January 31st and February 2nd at Heinz Hall.
Visit https://pittsburghsymphony.org/production/92955/shostakovichs-final-symphony to learn more and find tickets.

Trouble in Mind at Pittsburgh Public Theater

In this episode, we are back at the Pittsburgh Public Theater to talk about their upcoming production of Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress.

Director Justin Emeka and lead actress Shinnerrie D. Jackson, spoke about bringing this play to life in Pittsburgh. They discuss how the playwright refused to re-write the ending to produce it on Broadway in the 1950s, leading to its eventual production almost 70 years later in 2021. Their production at the Public will feature the original ending written for the Off-Broadway production.

Justin talks about the story of the play, following a Black actress’s stardom in a new ‘progressive’ play in 1955, and how culture clashes with the director threaten to derail the play. Shinnerrie talks about how playing Wiletta Mayer is like playing King Lear for her. Both reflect on the personal connections they feel with this story, and how it might just be the pinnacle of their careers.

You can see Trouble in Mind at the O’Reilly Theater from Wednesday, February 5th to Sunday, February 23rd.
Visit https://ppt.org/production/94381/trouble-in-mind to learn more and find tickets.

National Opera Company Exhibit Downtown

In this episode, Jim Cunningham speaks with the Executive Director of the National Opera House, Jonnet Solomon, about their upcoming exhibit at Grand Lobby in the City-County Building on Grant Street.

Jonnet talks about the history of the National Negro Opera Company that was founded in Pittsburgh by Mary Cardwell Dawson in 1941. It was the first African American opera company in the United States. The house that housed the opera company was a vibrant cultural hub for icons like Cab Calloway, Roberto Clemente, and Ahmad Jamal.

The exhibit will feature the inspiring story of Mary Cardwell Dawson, and pictures of the many people who stayed at the house. Jonnet reflects on the challenges of restoring a historic home that is on the National Trust’s list of endangered sites. She also discusses the future for the National Opera House and its funding.

Jonnet also talks about her father’s work as a steel pan maker in Pittsburgh. Jonnet performs with her dad’s band regularly, and loves playing classical music on the steel pan.

You can catch the opening reception on February 3rd at 6 pm at the City-County Building. There will be a live musical guest, and a chance to ask Jonnet questions about the exhibit.

The Black History Month display will be available to visit until February 28th.

Visit https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Recreation-Events/Special-Events/Black-History-Month to learn more.