Reminders
APM Weekly Newsletter
Classical updates are included in the APM Weekly newsletter each Thursday. Forward-promote what listeners can anticipate on APM classical programs and on C24. Subscribe to the APM Weekly here.Spring Fundraising Promos
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Programming News
APM Presents: April Specials
A Passion for Bach and Coltrane with the Imani Winds
Available now – June 30, 2024
Scott Blankenship shared his experience of working on this special with us:
After producing Carols as Home with Imani Winds last winter, I was very excited to continue our partnership with the group to bring Jeff Scott’s Grammy winning Passion for Bach and Coltrane to listeners. AB Spellman’s book of poems “Things I Must Have Known” inspired Passion for Bach and Coltrane, and it explores the musical mastery of J.S. Bach, John Coltrane, as well as religion and mortality. It also asks the inevitable question, what if JS Bach and John Coltrane were to meet?
I’ve never worked on a project like this. Toyin Spellman-Diaz again took the host chair and conducted intimate interviews with group members and her father AB Spellman. My biggest challenge as the producer was to determine what parts of the interviews to keep, because there were so many moments of pure gold in their conversations! Plus, the innovative way they integrate baroque music of Bach with the transcendent jazz aesthetics of Coltrane might seem unlikely, but they make it work in a magical way.
May Specials Sneak Peek…
Folk Classics Across the Globe — never-before recorded folk tunes from three contrasting countries and cultures: Iran, Venezuela and Ukraine/Russia.
Fur, Feathers and Flutes — celebrating the love we have for our special companions and their connection to music.
For more upcoming specials visit our website.
New and Upcoming
Pipedreams Live in Williamsburg, VA
On April 21, Pipedreams host Michael Barone will appear as master-of-ceremonies, commentator and interviewer for an Open Door Concert Series event at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. Joining Michael will be composer and recitalist Aaron David Miller and three organ students from William & Mary College. This event will feature the 40 stop and 51 rank Buzard Pipe Organ, Opus 32.
SymphonyCast highlights the Oregon Symphony & Berlin Philharmonic
Coming up on SymphonyCast in April, Grammy-nominated composer and percussionist Andy Akiho performs his concerto for steel pan and orchestra with the Oregon Symphony, and legendary pianist Martha Argerich joins Daniel Barenboim and the Berlin Philharmonic for Beethoven’s Second Piano Concerto.
And we wish a happy one-year anniversary to Steve Seel as the host of SymphonyCast!
Classical 24 Celebrates
Don’t miss 30 days of musical poetry all April long as C24 celebrates National Poetry Month. Listen for a piece of music about poetry every day at 3 pm CT.
Sir Neville Marriner’s 100th birthday is April 15th and C24 will celebrate by featuring Marriner recordings all day long.
Performance Today’s Classical Woman of the Year
Performance Today recently announced their Classical Woman of the year: Deborah Borda. She spoke with Fred Child about her career and accomplishments on the March 29th episode.
“I’m thrilled that Deborah Borda is our 2024 Performance Today Classical Woman of the Year,” said Fred Child, host and senior editor of Performance Today. “Though much of her career has been behind-the-scenes, some of the most cherished aspects of today’s classical scene wouldn’t be what they are without her guiding spirit and determination. She combines the forward-thinking savvy and intelligent risk-taking of an entrepreneur with the passionate dedication of an artist. As a former violinist and violist, her administrative vision is driven by her devotion to music itself.
“She has created greater access to music for communities, families, and individuals across the country. She has piloted the creation and renovation of some of the most important concert venues of our time. She has envisioned and brought into being some of the most fruitful artistic partnerships and collaborations of our era. She’s steadily laid the foundations for greater stability in several major classical music institutions, which means musicians can focus on making music, and audiences have reliably vibrant and meaningful concerts and events. It is with great pleasure that we recognize Deborah Borda with this well-deserved award.”
Performance Today’s Young Artists
Listen for 2024’s Young Artists on Performance Today beginning with Sarah Ma, violinist, on April 17th. Learn more about Performance Today’s Young Artists program and see their impressive list of alumni here.
Performance Today: Request for Music
If you have a strong partnership with your local orchestra, please encourage them to submit their concerts to us- If you have a contact who’d like to start (or continue) submitting to PT, please put them in touch with kslusher@mpr.org for guidelines and a submission account.