Voice of the Arts

It’s a holiday classic! Violinist and one of the Artistic Directors at Chatham Baroque, Andrew Fouts, as well as Director of Music at the Calvary Episcopal Church, Alan Lewis, talk about their upcoming concert together on Friday, December 8th at 7:30pm. They discuss how and why they will be performing the entirety of Handel’s Messiah with original Baroque instruments in a smaller chamber setting. Visit https://www.calvarypgh.org/ to learn more.

It is time to get in the holiday spirit! Executive Director of the South Hills Chorale, Rick Smith, discusses with Anna Singer about the chorales upcoming holiday concert, Sound of the Season, on December 15th and 16th at the Christ United Methodist Church. Take a tour of holiday music from around the world, no passport required! Also enjoy a new musical composition by Music Director, Skylar Bunk, who is enjoying his first season as the Music Director of the Chorale. Visit https://www.southhillschorale.org to learn more and find tickets!

Former KDKA-TV anchorman and U.S. Congressmen, Ron Klink, discusses his new role as Board Member of the emerging National Museum of Broadcasting that is hoping to open its doors in the Pittsburgh area. Ron talks about his experience as a broadcasting professional, the history of broadcasting in the Pittsburgh area, and how the Museum will work to serve the community of Pittsburgh and relate its history. You can find more information about the Museum, including its proposed site in East Pittsburgh on Braddock Avenue, at https://nmbpitt.org/.

Anna Singer talks with the Mendelssohn Choir’s newest Music Director, Daniel Singer (no they are not related!). Daniel discusses his excitement for next years concerts, as well as three upcoming ones for the holiday season with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the first of which is Brahms’ Requiem on December 1st. It’s the busiest time of year for the choir, but Daniel is looking forward to bringing holiday cheer this year. Visit https://www.themendelssohn.org/ to learn more about their upcoming concerts and get tickets.

Executive Director of Silver Eye Center for Photography, Leo Hsu, gives WQED an in-depth tour of their newest exhibit, Radial Survey Volume 3. This new free exhibit is open until February 3rd and features work from 7 emerging or mid-career artists from a 300 miles radius around Pittsburgh. Artists in Radial Survey Vol.3 are Eduardo L. Rivera, Share Rocheleau, Alanna Fields, Akea Brionne, Larry W. Cook, Marissa Long, and Lisa Toby. Leo Hsu also discusses the many other facets of Silver Eye and their continued efforts to raise and celebrate the art of photography in the Pittsburgh community. Visit https://silvereye.org to learn more.

Robert Aubry Davis, veteran host of Millenium of Music on Sirius XM and public radio nationwide joins the Baltimore Consort in Pittsburgh at Calvary Episcopal Church Saturday November 18th at Calvary Episcopal Church to present a concert of music with Mary Queen of Scots at the center In Angel’s Wede. Davis in this conversation with Jim Cunningham looks from his vantage point as a legendary figure in the nation’s capital as a host of multiple musical organizations including the Smithsonian, Dumbarton Oaks and on WETA’s arts program Around Town. Robert talks about his fascination with the music of 1000 years before JS Bach, chant, Josquin Despres and where we are as Americans with support for the arts noting Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and other Washingtonians as special champions of the arts.

Violinist and founding member of the Kronos Quartet, David Harrington, speaks with Jim Cunningham about the fifty year anniversary of the group. Topics include how the group was named, listening to George Crumb’s Black Angels on the radio and deciding he must play it, the Pittsburgh concert for Chamber Music Pittsburgh with Stacy Garrop utilizing Mahalia Jackson’s voice, his admiration for composer David Stock, love of jazz including Bill Evans and Thelonius Monk, the many influences of world music and how it all ties together, his optimistic view of the music scene and working with a quartet at CMU in the Kresge Theater where the interview took place, the New York and DC 50th celebrations, the influence of radio on composers and more. After the interview ended, David told Jim Cunningham that Kronos had played Jimi Hendrix’ Foxy Lady for David Stock’s wife Celia because one of their earlier concerts took place on her birthday.

Extraordinary harpist, Bridget Kibbey, discusses her newest release, Crossing the Ocean, and the concept behind the album. Bridget also talks about her lifelong curiosity of the harp, her astounding technical skills, and drive to continue to push the boundaries of harp playing and enjoyment. Visit https://www.bridgetkibbey.com/ to learn more and https://lnk.to/CrossingtheOcean to listen to the album.

Stage Director Sam Helfrich spoke with WQED-FM’s Anna Singer about Pittsburgh Opera’s production of Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman,” running November 11th through 19th, 2023 at the Benedum Center.

Pittsburgh Opera Music Director spoke with WQED-FM’s Anna Singer about Pittsburgh Opera’s production of Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman,” running November 11th through 19th, 2023 at the Benedum Center.

Kyle Albertson, who sings the role of the Dutchman spoke with WQED-FM’s Anna Singer about Pittsburgh Opera’s production of Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman,” running November 11th through 19th, 2023 at the Benedum Center.

Marjorie Owens, who sings the role of Senta, spoke with WQED-FM’s Anna Singer about Pittsburgh Opera’s production of Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman,” running November 11th through 19th, 2023 at the Benedum Center.