Selections from the classical repertoire with commentary about the pieces, their composers, and their historical context.
Podcast
Dr. Paul's Classics Oct 16th, 2012Tue, 10/16/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. Paul |
Dr. Paul's Classics Oct 9th, 2012Tue, 10/09/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. Paul |
Classical piano musicTue, 10/02/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. PaulThe greatest classical composers have been pianists. |
Dr. Paul's choiceTue, 09/25/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. PaulWhat would Dr. Paul, your classical music programmer, choose to listen to by the fire in the intimacy of his own living room? Tune in to today's show to find out what a person who has loved classical music for more than 40 years listens to, when he listens for his own pleasure. Today's program includes beautiful arias, a violin and viola duet, a piano concerto, Spanish dances, piano solos, and more. Check the playlist to whet your appetite: http://kdrt.org/node/10346 As a fire and its smoldering embers enchant, so will today's music captivate and carry you away. |
Dr. Paul's Classics Sep 18th, 2012Tue, 09/18/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. Paul |
You have been invited to a Czech wake!Tue, 09/11/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. Paul
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George Gershwin, the most successful composer of all time, is featured todayTue, 09/04/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. PaulDr. Paul honors composers by playing their compositions during the month of their birth. Today's show honors several composers born in September, including Johann Pachelbel, J.C. Bach, and Emmanuel Chabrier. But the most successful composer of all time (measured by money earned during the composer's lifetime) was George Gershwin, born 9/26/1898. He was a prolific composer of numerous broadway musicals, film scores, and, of course, "Rhapsody in Blue" and "An American in Paris." Dr. Paul plays his jazz-inflected and brilliant Piano Concerto in F. You will hear more compositions by Gershwin in shows later this month. Follow this link to see the top ten classical composer money makers of all time: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/aug/29/arts.media1 Dr. Paul also presents for your enjoyment Pachelbel's Canon and Gigue in D, a quartet for two flutes by J. C. |
Two's company!Tue, 08/28/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. PaulNot only is two company, but it's also very descriptive of today's show. There are two overtures, two Vivaldi violin concertos, two Mozart love songs, two piano pieces by Ravel, and one piece with two violins and two bass viols. There is also a concerto for seven trumpets, a concerto for one guitar, and one rendition of "La donna e mobile." Look at the playlist: http://kdrt.org/node/10133, and see if it all doesn't add up to a lot of terrific classical music. |
Dr. Pauls Classical Music Aug. 21, 2012Tue, 08/21/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. PaulToday, Dr. Paul honors Leonard Bernstein, pictured here at age 27, at the time of the production of his ballet, "Fancy Free" in 1944. You will hear the entire score of "Fancy Free" on today's show, as well as the most popular songs from his musical, "West Side Story," sung by the artists from the movie's soundtrack. You will hear a piano trio by Schobert, the 18th century composer who accidentally poisoned himself, his family, and his friends at a dinner party with wild mushrooms. You will enjoy the smooth-as-silk voice of Kathleen Battle singing Brazilian songs. Mozart, Fritz Kreisler, Manuel de Falla, and Robert Schumann join the fun. Also on board are Yo Yo Ma, who bows his cello for you, and Andrea Boccelli and Sarah Brightman are up last with "Time to Say Goodbye." Follow the link for more details about the playlist: http://kdrt.org/node/10087 |
Bernstein channels Ravel, Shostakovitch, and BeethovenTue, 08/14/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. Paul
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As humans, we feel sorrow when a loved one passes away. But we also want to celebrate that person's life as is seen in this picture of a New Orleans jazz funeral. The Czech people have a similar tradition, called a "Dumky." Dr. Paul starts the second hour of today's show with Dvorak's happy/sad/manic/beautiful Dumky piano trio. The show begins with a rousing overture by Offenbach. In addition, you will hear "The Prayer," a duet featuring the voices of Andrea Boccelli and Celine Dion. Yo-Yo Ma plays a Shostakovitch cello concerto. Two baroque flute sonatas are on the program, as well as Gershwin's memorable "An American in Paris." Check out the playlist: 
Leonard Bernstein, shown in center, plays brilliant piano concertos by Ravel (left), and Shostakovitch (right), and conducts Beethoven's Fantasy for piano, chorus, and orchestra. Follow the magic link for the rest of today's playlist: 
Comments
As always, your play list offers a fine respite from life's noise and challenges.
With lots of cello music! It's a wonderful thing to say, "I'd love to hear more cello" and than have you make it so the very next week. Thanks!
Was listening to your September birthdays show and heard you mention yours is coming up this month. Which day?? Whichever, enjoy!
Beth
Wonderful Christmas show, brother. Craig
Hey Paul,
This Eric Sate (not sure of spelling)..."haunting"...I'm practically crying! Well, music should be emotive, I guess. Craig
Craig,
Haunting is a good word to describe Satie's music.If you listened to my commentary, you'll remember that he was involved in mysticism and esoteric religious practices. And he was a recluse for the latter decades of his life. His music is haunting because he was probably haunted by devils of his own making.
Paul
Hi Paul,
Glad for Friday morning replay. The Hawaiian singer was awesome...nice spin on "classical" genre. I think you're show is great...though we tend toward chamber/concerto sounds...the symphonic and other sounds are great and good to learn about...thanks for sharing this gift. Craig
Craig
Thanks for the kind comment, Craig. Though my taste also tends more to the chamber/concerto side of things, I can't neglect one of the most widely recognized (and loved) aspects of classical music: the symphony. I appreciate the kind word about the Hawaiian song as well. As you can see, I interpret the word classical losely. The interpretation will become even looser, I'm sure, as time goes on.
Paul
Thanks for the lovely Haydn guitar music today...I've long been fond of the London Symphonies and hearing another piece has reminded me how long it's been since I pulled out some Haydn. Thanks, Craig
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