The Classical Marathon: Day 2 Friday, December 4
By WTJU
The star of Friday morning is English composer, John Rutter, who joins Steve Myers for a 6-hour special: John Rutter: The Man and His Music. The program will include extended excerpts of Steve’s conversation with John Rutter, and he will tell us all kinds of fascinating stories, offering valuable insights into his life and works. The first hour will feature his Suite Lyrique and the Beatles Concerto! Not to be missed! From 7-9 am, John Rutter charts the story of his life and will explain how he almost forgot to write a piece of music for Queen Elizabeth! After 8 am, he will discuss the importance of music and optimism. His Requiem takes up most of the 9 o’clock hour. At 10 am, you can hear his much-acclaimed Magnificat, and finally at 11 am, John Rutter will introduce his now-famous version of the Faurẻ Requiem.
At 12 noon, one of our new announcers, Eric Brandt, takes the microphone as he brings us a program of his favorite piano music called In Black and White. Our good friend, Paula O’Buckley, presents “Bravura: All the Highs and Lows”, in which she showcases the hallmarks of virtuousity, the high notes, the low notes, the fast, the legato; everything that one associates with the apex of performance!
There’s a definite change of pace at 4 pm, when Early Music Show host, Alison Wiley, presents a delightful tea-time show called Renaissance Revels. As Alison says: “An afternoon in the dead of winter, the light is fading and there’s a chill in the air – the solstice is only days away. In towns and hamlets throughout Europe the excitement mounts as lowly and lofty, young and old, everybody awaits the arrival of the mummers who will bring seasonal cheer, and the musicians travelling with them who will provide the songs and carols for singing and dancing. Drink a wassail cup by a roaring fire and join us ” Sounds like a great show!
Friday evening begins with a 3-hour On With The Show Special, Carefully Taught: History told through show tunes, in which Thom Pease will bring us songs from musicals which portray historical characters and events of the past. This includes songs from Les Miserables, The French Revolution, Paganini, 1776, Hamilton, and other shows that evoke the past.
At 9 pm, join Francesca for Masters of Sax, as she samples works of Koechlin, Creston, Milhaud, and many others as played by such greats as Eugene Rousseau, Claude Delangle, Sigurd Rascher, and Theodore Kerkezos. And at 11 pm, Ralph Graves returns for another overnight special to keep you company in the wee hours.
Want more information on the rest of the Marathon?
You can view the schedule with descriptions for each show here.
You can also download an overview of the schedule here.
