Program Schedule
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| 1999 Classical Marathon T-shirt design |
Welcome to the 1999 WTJU Classical Marathon. We close the century with a celebration of music for all time. Our survey of classical music begins with the last new millennium in the year 1000 and continues through the music of youthful composers who are just now beginning to make their mark in the music world. There are some old favorites--commemorating Beethoven's birthday, recalling the genius of Richard Wagner with his last opera Parsifal, and paying tribute to Richard Strauss in the 50th year after his death. From the Broadway stage to an opera house in 1824 Venice to a coffee house in 18th century Vienna, we will present a sampling of great performances of some of the finest music ever created. We greet the BBC's arrival on WTJU with an abundance of British music.
At the request of listeners, we are presenting a cycle of all the Mahler symphonies at midnight throughout the Marathon. Unlike virtually every other radio station that plays classical music, we play entire pieces, even those that are long and often challenging. We play the great music of the Western tradition as the composer intended it to be heard, in the finest recordings available. Our commitment to you is that we are committed to the music. Enjoy and let us hear from you!
We ask for your generous financial support to make this the most successful Marathon ever. Our announcers are all volunteers, and presenting classical music on WTJU for us is a labor of love. We need your help to keep this music on the air, and we are offering some great premiums for your pledge. Without the hard work of the classical staff, the Marathon would not be possible. Special thanks are owed to all participants, especially to Francesca, Winston Barham, Ralph Graves, and Paul Ferrer. The cover of this guide is by Ralph Graves and will be a full color design on this year's t-shirt.
Tim Snider, Classical Director
| Sunday, Dec. 12 Monday, Dec. 13 Tuesday, Dec. 14 Wednesday, Dec. 15 | Thursday, Dec. 16 Friday, Dec. 17 Saturday, Dec. 18 Sunday, Dec. 19 |
SUNDAY, DEC. 12:
6-10 AM
It's Cool To Be HIP
Lee Chen
"Historically informed performances" are all the rage. Musical scholarship can lead to performances that capture the essence of what the composer intended. Hear a generous sampling of the best of the "new old" recordings.
10 AM-noon
Y1K
Rick Rees
Take the long view this millennial season: look back from the year 1000 for Delphic hymns and Bacchic dances, early chant, Byzantine odes, and the Song of the Sybil.
Noon-6 PM
Parsifal, by Richard Wagner
Ann Shaffer
Wagner's last opera, in a performance conducted by Sir Georg Solti, with a great cast including Christa Ludwig, Hans Hotter, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Zoltan Kelemen, and Gottlob Frick.
6-8 PM
Twentieth Century Flautist
Ethelbert Nevin
Mosaics host and flute enthusiast Ethelbert Nevin invites you to join him for 2 hours of stellar flute performance. Hear many of the most beautiful and challenging works by Gaubert, Beaser, Dutilleux, Ibert, Barber, and Muczynski.
8 PM-Midnight
Winston Barham
The Guarneri Quartet
Winston narrows his chamber music focus to those legendary practitioners of the art of the quartet--the Guarneri Quartet. Some of the Guarneri's performances are among the greatest in the recorded repertoire, and you can hear them featured here.
MONDAY, DEC. 13
Midnight-3 AM
Mahler at Midnight
Brian Malone
On this first night of our Mahler festival, modern music specialist Brian Malone features Symphonies No. 1 "The Titan" (cond. Tennstedt) and the unfinished No. 10 (cond. Rattle).
6-10 AM
Moments in 20th Century England
Ethelbert Nevin
Presenting the history of England's century through its recent musical past. Hear works influenced by folk song and the church, lyrical and pastoral works by Finzi, Vaughan Williams, Stanford, Ireland, Parry, Howells, and many others.
10 AM-Noon
Beethoven's Birthday
Ann Porotti
Join jazz host Ann Porotti as she celebrates the 229th anniversary of the birth of perhaps the greatest of all composers with a sampling of his works in superb performances.
Noon-2 PM
Richard Strauss Remembered
Ann Shaffer
Fifty years after the composer's death, we remember Strauss with two hours of his finest vocal music, including opera excerpts, the Four Last Songs, and his actual "last song."
2-4 PM
The Classical Guitar
Stephen Soghoian
Jazzman Stephen Soghoian presents some of the classics for the guitar, including music by Giuliani, Paganini, and Sor, in stirring performances.
4-5 PM
BBC Newshour
Putting the world's politics and economics into perspective with analysis of current affairs worldwide.
5-5:05 PM
WTJU Virginia News
WTJU brings you the best and latest news from the Charlottesville area and throughout Virginia.
5-8 PM
Flemish Masters
Rick Rees
In the music of the Renaissance, as in its painting, the Flemish stood out. Follow five generations of Europe's finest, from Dufay and Ockeghem to Josquin, Clemens, Lassus, and others--sacred polyphony, chansons, instrumental works.
8 PM- Midnight
Five-Star Edition
Paul Ferrer & Tim Snider
Join our two critics as they present their choices of the finest recordings of works from the standard classical music repertoire--Strauss, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, and some surprises too. If you are a collector of classical CDS, this is the show for you.
TUESDAY, DEC. 14
Midnight -3 AM
Mahler at Midnight
Brian Malone
Brian Malone continues our Mahler Festival with Symphony No. 2, "The Resurrection" (cond. Blomstedt).
6-10 AM
Serenade--A Special Edition
Colin Bird
WTJU's voice from across the water presents a special blend of diverse musical styles, from early music to the latest trends in European classical music.
10 AM-1 PM
Chopin's World
John Mitchell
Chopin inhabited a world bounded by the black and white keys of his piano, within which his imagination ranged freely. WTJU's signature voice, John Mitchell, brings you three hours of Chopin's piano witchery, in performances by Argerich, Kissin, and Pires.
1-4 The Most Happy Fella
Peter Elliott
The Most Happy Fella is Frank Loesser's (Guys & Dolls, Where's Charley) most gloriously operatic score. It's a true American folk opera and one of Broadway's greatest musicals. It's the story of Tony (Met star Robert Weede), Rosabella (Jo Sullivan) and Joe (Art Lund)--and features such standards as "Standing on the Corner,""Joey, Joey, Joey,""Big eD," and "My Heart is Full of You."
4-5 PM
BBC Newshour
Putting the world's politics and economics into perspective with analysis of current affairs worldwide.
5-5:05 PM
WTJU Virginia News
WTJU brings you the best and latest news from the Charlottesville area and throughout Virginia.
5-8 PM
The Calm Before the War
Andrew Pratt
Relive the refined world of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before the Great War brought dissonance to the fore. Host Andrew Pratt will present the music of Debussy, Faure, Glazunov, Balakirev, and others.
8 PM- Midnight
Singers for the Ages
Ann Shaffer & Tim Snider
WTJU's Lady of Song, Ann Shaffer, invites Tim Snider to join in a survey of some of the finest singers of the century in their greatest roles. Prefer Gigli to Corelli, Sutherland to Melba? Let your voice be heard with a pledge in honor of your favorite.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15
Midnight-3 AM
Mahler at Midnight
Francesca
Friday morning Concordanza host Francesca features Mahler's Symphony No. 3.
6-10 AM
Cafe Vienna
Ralph Graves
At the turn of the last century, the world's greatest composers were living and working in Vienna: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven. Ralph Graves, "Radio Star," presents some of their most exciting chamber works for your Wednesday morning listening pleasure.
10 AM-Noon
In a Nutshell: The Music of Percy Grainger
Francesca da Rimini
From Handel in the Strand to Molly on the Shore, join Francesca as she surveys the original compositions and celebrated arrangements of Australia's greatest and most eccentric musical export.
Noon-2 PM
Glenn Gould
Michael Mizrahi
Genius? Iconoclast? Revolutionary? Those labels and more have been pinned on Glenn Gould, who abandoned the concert stage for the recording studio to produce a recorded legacy unmatched by any other pianist. Hear why Gould is one of our favorite artists.
2-4 PM
Henry Purcell
Rick Rees
Tune in for highlights from the 17th Century "British Orpheus": solo songs, court and sacred music--everything from "Hail Bright Cecilia" to the Te Deum and Dido and Aeneas.
4-5 PM
BBC Newshour
Putting the world's politics and economics into perspective with analysis of current affairs worldwide.
5-5:05 PM
WTJU Virginia News
WTJU brings you the best and latest news from the Charlottesville area and throughout Virginia.
5-8 PM
20th Century Top 10 Countdown
Brian Malone & Peter Knell
The best music of the century is all here . . . in rank order. Peter and Brian (WTJU's "Siskel and Ebert of 20th Century Music") argued long and hard to settle on these ten works. Tune in and hear the music by which this century will be known. Listen for No. 1.
8- Midnight
Who's Keeping Score
Peter Elliott and Lee Chen
This century's classical composers have enriched one of this century's greatest marvels--the motion picture--with their classic film scores. Join us as we explore the film music of Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Britten, Corigliano, Korngold, Bernstein, John Williams, and more.
THURSDAY, DEC. 16
Midnight-3 AM
Mahler at Midnight
Peter Elliott
The Show Show's Peter Elliott steps off Broadway to feature Mahler's popular Symphony No. 4 and the brooding Symphony No.5 (both cond. Bernstein).
6-10 AM
The Storied Guitar
John Mitchell
From early lutes and theorbos to custom-made 8-strings, the guitar has traveled many roads. In this special edition of Sleepers, Awake!, John explores the many-faceted world of the guitar, with music by Bach, Pagannini, and Purcell, plus flamenco passion and Neapolitan serenades.
10 AM-Noon
Vienna Bonbons
Ralph Graves
A selection of short piano pieces by the masters of the Classical style--Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven. From 18th century elegance to 19th century drama, hear the evolution of the Classical style.
Noon-2 PM
Schubertiade
Paul Ferrer
Spend an afternoon with Franz Schubert & friends at one of their legendary get-togethers for chamber music and song. A good time will be had by all.
2-4 PM
The Dark Mozart
Colin Bird
Mozart was hardly the comic figure from Amadeus. Instead, some of his most moving creations are tinted darkly in a minor mood, from the G minor symphonies to Don Giovanni. Hear a generous sampling of his melancholy but vibrant creations.
4-5 PM
BBC Newshour
Putting the world's politics and economics into perspective with analysis of current affairs worldwide.
5-5:05 PM
WTJU Virginia News
WTJU brings you the best and latest news from the Charlottesville area and throughout Virginia.
5-8 PM Pyrotechnic Piano
Andrew Pratt
Experience fireworks in December with a dazzling display of virtuoso piano pieces from Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, and others.
8- Midnight
Classical Dance Party
Brian Malone
Grab your best guy or gal and get ready to cut a rug. DJ Brian spins phat classical grooves, including waltzes, polkas, tangos, and much more. Featured composers include Dvorak, Adams, Piazolla, the Strauss family, Kernis, and many others. If it's got a great groove, hear it here.
FRIDAY, DEC. 17
Midnight-3 AM
Mahler at Midnight
Michael Mizrahi
Michael Mizrahi, WTJU's most enthusiastic Mahlerian, presents Symphony No. 6 (cond. TBA).
6-10 AM
You Heard It Here First
Francesca da Rimini
On a special Marathon edition of Concordanza, Francesca celebrates beautiful music by composers you won't hear on those OTHER radio stations.
10 AM-Noon
American Symphonists
Ethelbert Nevin
As we leave a century of American music, we hear pieces by American orchestrators and symphonists whose work defined the course of American music. A "must hear"for those romantic at heart--music by Diamond, Piston, Copland, Hanson, and others.
Noon-2 PM
Praise & Thanksgiving
Winston Barham
Hymns of praise and anthems of thanks, from composers of many countries. We celebrate the joys of peace throughout the centuries, with music for the occasion.
2-4 PM
War & Peace
Brian Malone
War is an inescapable influence on music. How do composers celebrate peace while still recalling the nightmare of what came before? How does music carry ethical challenges to future generations? We sample music inspired by victories and atrocities, by Penderecki, Strauss, Schoenberg, Vaughan Williams, and others.
4-5 PM
BBC Newshour
Putting the world's politics and economics into perspective with analysis of current affairs worldwide.
5-5:05 PM
WTJU Virginia News
WTJU brings you the best and latest news from the Charlottesville area and throughout Virginia.
5-8 PM
Brahms: Romantic Classicist
Peter Knell
Rumor has it that Brahms, once arch-conservative to all Wagnerians, is Peter's favorite composer. Serious, introspective, the music of Brahms is music for all time.
8-10 PM
King of Instruments
Michael Latsko
The King of Instruments trumpets great new recordings, including music of Schumann, Mendelssohn, and a rousing interpretation of Bruckner's 8th Symphony, transcribed for organ!
10- Midnight
Contemporary British Composers
Brian Malone
Recently there has been a revitalization of British music. Leading the rebirth are young composers who are beguiling listeners while extending the classical tradition. Sample music of Thomas Ades, Oliver Knussen, and Michael Torke. London comes to Charlottesville.
SATURDAY, DEC. 18
Midnight-3 AM
Mahler at Midnight
Michael Mizrahi
Michael Mizrahi returns with Mahler's magisterial Symphony No. 7 (cond. TBA).
6-10 AM
Golden Age of the City of Light
Andrew Pratt
Bask in the shimmering glow of the luminaries of French music, from the ardent romanticism of Saint-Saens and the focused introspection of Faure to the vibrant palette of Ravel. Our resident francophile presents his favorites.
10 AM-1 PM
English Anthem
Michael Latsko
Our annual choral cavalcade spanning five centuries of England's choral gems, sung by the world's finest choirs.
1-4 PM
Piano & More
Winston Barham
Our champion of chamber music presents a melodious selection of chamber works featuring the piano, including trios, quartets, and more by composers serenely classical and fervently romantic.
4-7 PM
Forbidden Broadway
Eric Motschenbacher and Peter Elliott
Join Peter and Eric as they toast and roast musicals from Broadway's "Golden Age"as well as shows currently playing on the Great White Way as we present our second annual spoof of Broadway musicals. Join us as we take on Ragtime, The Lion King, Titanic, Les Mis, Footloose, Chicago, Cabaret, Annie Get Your Gun, Rent, The Sound of Music, Miss Saigon, and of course Ethel Merman! Featuring the cast of the Completely Unoriginal Cast Recordings of Forbidden Broadway!
7-10 PM
Jordi Savall
Rick Rees
Perhaps no one embodies the rise of Early Music like this Catalan "Renaissance Man," whose Hesperion XX and La Capella Reial have recorded everything from troubadour songs to French baroque to Bach and Haydn. Every bit of it stunning.
10-Midnight
Shostakovich Chamber Music
Derek Furr
A survey of the chamber music of the great Russian composer, from juvenilia to mature masterworks. Special emphasis is given to his innovative work with the string quartet.
SUNDAY, DEC. 19
Midnight-3 AM
Mahler at Midnight
Derek Furr
Mahler Week concludes as guest host Derek Furr presents Mahler's colossal Symphony No. 8, the "Symphony of a Thousand"(Bernstein cond.), and his Symphony No. 9 (Walter cond.).
6-10 AM
Inspired by Shakespeare
Francesca da Rimini
The third annual tribute to music inspired by the poetry and plays of England's immortal bard features compositions by Vivaldi, Zemlinsky, Korngold, Finzi, Bax, and many others.
10 AM-Noon
Sometimes I Feel: Spirituals
Shawn Felton
Two hours of the African American spiritual by well known and less well known classically trained singers and composers. Marian Anderson, Jessye Norman, Barbara Hendrix, and Florence Price will help you feel the spirit.
Noon-6 PM
The Crusader in Egypt
Tim Snider
We continue to feature less well known operas. This opera was Giacomo Meyerbeer's first hit and the last major opera to feature a castrato role. Imagine taking your seat in the opera house in Venice in 1824. Expect to hear some glorious singing, and you won't be disappointed.
6-9 PM
Messiah
Classical Staff
We pay our annual tribute to Handel's great oratorio in a performance guaranteed to please. This is our special reward to you for your support during the 1999 Marathon.
