Voice of the Arts

President of the Tuesday Musical Club and life-long pianist, Janet Stivanson, discusses Tuesday Musical Club’s upcoming concert called, “Celebration!”:Honoring our African-American Composers next Tuesday, February 13th at 1pm at Rodef Shalom’s Levy Hall. Janet highlights the diverse program featuring compositions from Samuel Colridge-Taylor, Florence Price, Williams Grant Still, and Harry T. Burleigh. Janet also describes her love of piano that has stretched for over 78 years. The program is free and will be live streamed on Youtube. Visit https://www.tuesdaymusicalclub.org/events to learn more.

Curtis Stewart is a 3-time Grammy nominated violinist making his debut with the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra this Saturday, February 10th, 7:30pm at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center. Jim Cunningham had a chance to talk with Curtis about the concert where he will play the Julia Perry Concerto for Violin, his musical background, performing at the Grammy’s and more.

Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh presents “Britten, Montgomery and Bartok” Saturday February 10th at Rodef Shalom and Sunday February 11th at Calvary United Methodist Church. Conductor and Artistic Director Edward Leonard was joined by soloist Timothy Stoddard on the QED Morning Show to talk about the concert.

From the Pittsburgh Savoyards, Director Marsha Mayhak and Production Manager, Lynette Garlan, discuss their upcoming performances of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” running weekends from February 9th to the 24th. Marsha describes how she adapted this classic novel into a play filled with romance, and which couple she chose to focus on. Lynette also highlights 4 performances that will be live-streamed, and the Savoyards next performance after Pride and Prejudice. Tickets are $15. Visit https://www.pittsburghsavoyards.org/ to learn more.

Mezzo-Soprano Tahanee Aluwihare, sitar player, Michael Griska, tenor Gene Stenger, and Artistic Director of Resonance Works, Maria Sensi Sellner, discussed with Anna Singer their upcoming performance of “This Love Between Us” on Friday, February 2nd and Sunday, February 4th. The program will feature both Bach’s Magnificat, as well as newcomer composer, Reena Esmail’s transcendent This Love Between Us: Prayers for Unity, which combines some themes from the Magnificat with Hindustani music. Gene Stenger performs live with Robert Frankenberry. Visit https://www.resonanceworks.org/ to learn more.

Assistant Artistic Director and Concertmaster of Apollo’s Fire, Alan Choo, discusses his upcoming collaboration concert with Chatham Baroque on Saturday, February 18th at 4 pm at Calvary Episcopal Church. Choo talks about the piece they will be performing, Heinrich Biber’s stunning Sonatas on the Mysteries of the Rosary, that features new instrumentation of the continuo. Choo highlights the difficulties of Biber’s untuning technique or scordatura that is used throughout this 15 sonata piece. Choo also discusses his work with Red Dot Baroque. Visit https://www.chathambaroque.org to learn more.

Two Artistic Directors, Mark Anderson of the Pittsburgh Camerata, and Kathryn Barnard of the Pittsburgh Girls Choir, discuss with Anna Singer their upcoming collaborative concert on Sunday, February 4th at 3 pm at the Shadyside Presbyterian Church. Hear Johnathan Dove’s Passing of the Year, a song that goes through the seasons of life. Kathryn and Mark describe the rest of the program that includes Ring Out Wild Bells, and the lyrical painting that Johnathan Dove does so well. Visit https://pittsburghcamerata.org/ or https://pittsburghgirlschoir.com/ to learn more about the concert, and see how to audition for either choirs.

Chair of the Board of Directors of New Horizon Theater, Inc., Joyce Meggerson-Moore, and theater artist, Herb Newsome, discuss New Horizon’s upcoming world premiere of Charles Dumas’ musical, “Blues is the Roots,” performing February 8th to the 18th at the Public Theaters Helen Wayne Rauh Rehearsal Hall above the O’Reilly Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh. “Blue is the Roots” tells the story of blues pioneer Willie Dixon, who became a songwriter, singer, and producer with Chess Records in the 1950’s. Herb highlights how Willie Dixon fought for equal treatment and pay for blues players, and how his cultivation of talent helped define Rock and Roll years later. Joyce also talks about New Horizon’s two other upcoming shows, including their special annual event on May 4th. Tickets for “Blues is the Roots” start at $35 for general admission. Visit https://www.newhorizontheater.org/ to learn more.

New Executive Director of Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures, Sony Ton-Aime, speaks with WQED-FM’s Anna Singer about his excitement about his new role after coming from Chautauqua Institution. He also highlights the exciting upcoming writers that are coming to the Pittsburgh area like Jennifer Egan on February 12th and Cameron Barnett on February 29th. Sony talks about his love with stories, and how he became a poet because of his father. Visit https://pittsburghlectures.org/ to learn more.

Watch this Episode on YouTube

Pianist James Iman discusses his upcoming free concert this Sunday, 4pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mount Lebanon as a part of their concert series. James highlights his repertoire for this concert that includes Anne Boyd’s Angklung and pieces from his latest CD. James also discusses his interest in 20th century composers, and how he went about recording and reissuing his latest CD’s. Visit https://www.stpaulspgh.org/concert-series/ to learn more.

Emmy award winning producer with WQED, Beth Dolinar, and Director of the Carnegie Museum of Art, Eric Crosby, discuss WQED’s premiere of a new documentary called “Beyond the Canvas” that highlights the 58th Carnegie International from last year. The documentary explores the history of the Carnegie International and brings into focus the work of three artists — Njaimeh Njaie, Tishan Hsu and James YaYa Hough. Eric also highlights the incredible achievements of the curating team and an increase in attendance last year. The documentary will premiere on February 1st at 8pm on WQED-TVHD Channel 13.

Theorbo player with Chatham Baroque, Scott Pauley, and soprano singer, Pascale Beaudin, discuss their upcoming performance of “Through the Wood, Laddie,” on January 26th, 27th and 28th. Pascale is a featured guest along with wooden flute player, Chris Norman, as the group brings to life music from Baroque Scotland to French Canadian folk music, and everything in between. Pascale also talks about her roots in the Canadian Maritime providences, and Scott highlights Pittsburgh’s historical connections to the French and Scottish. Visit www.chathambaroque.org to learn more.