Classical Conversations
Browse our audio archive of conversations with local and international classical musicians. WGTE's Brad Cresswell and Mary Claire Murphy speak with some of today's greatest artists about their latest recordings and performances. Watch the Classical Conversations Video Interviews. Classical Conversations® is a registered trademark of Classical Conversations Multi Media, Inc. and is licensed by WGTE.
- Update frequency
- every 13 days
- Episodes
- 269
- Years Active
- 2016 - 2025
Time for Jess Gillam
As both a virtuoso sax player and a BBC3 radio personality, Jess Gillam is a "double-threat," known for her infectious personality as well as for her irresistible performances. Having just made her C…
Tue 08 Nov 2022
Keith Phares
Acclaimed baritone Keith Phares joins us in the WGTE studios to talk about his career, share musical excerpts, and preview his upcoming Faculty Recital at Bowling Green State University on November 2…
Fri 28 Oct 2022
Hilary Hahn: Eclipse
Superstar vioinist Hilary Hahn joins us to talk about her album ECLIPSE, from Deutsche Grammophon records. A celebration of Hilary's return to the stage (after a year-long sabbatical), ECLIPSE docume…
Thu 13 Oct 2022
Víkingur Ólafsson: From Afar
Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson talks about his deeply personal album From Afar, released by Deutsche Grammophon records on October 7th, 2022. The album reflects Ólafsson’s musical DNA, from chil…
Tue 20 Sep 2022
Sheku Kanneh-Mason: Song
Superstar cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason joins us to talk about his latest album from Decca Records, SONG, which features an eclectic mix of folk tunes, classical, jazz and pop - including Sheku's own co…
Fri 16 Sep 2022
Toledo Opera: Blue
Cast members and creatives for Toledo Opera's production of "Blue" join us to talk about the work and how it uses a 400 year old artistic platform (opera) to address contemporary issues faced by the …
Fri 19 Aug 2022
"Blue" With Dr. Naomi André
Dr. Naomi André, a celebrated musicologist and scholar, is a frequent contributor to the community discussions surrounding the new opera "Blue" and its production at Toledo Opera. In this conversatio…
Wed 17 Aug 2022
Neave Trio: Musical Remembrances
The wonderful Neave Trio has appeared on FM 91 several times in the past. Now they have a new album out called Musical Remembrances, that contains some of the best-loved piano trios in the repertoire…
Fri 17 Jun 2022
Leif Ove Andsnes: Mozart Momentum 1786
The acclaimed Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes joins us to talk about the second album release in his Mozart Momentum project, which documents the genius of Wolfgang Mozart by focusing on touchston…
Tue 17 May 2022
Nadine Sierra: Made for Opera
Since she was a child, opera sensation Nadine Sierra has wanted to sing opera. Now well beyond her wildest dreams, Nadine stands at the top of the younger generation of star sopranos, as evidenced by…
Tue 17 May 2022
Catalyst Quartet: Uncovered 2 (Florence Price)
Violinist Abi Fayette of the Catalyst Quartet joins WGTE's Haley Taylor to chat about the quartet's latest album release in their "Uncovered" project, which explores the music of pioneering Black com…
Thu 21 Apr 2022
Lara Downes: Scott Joplin Reconsidered
In her latest album Reflections: Scott Joplin Reconsidered, pianist Lara Downes reframes the life and work of the pioneering composer and performer Scott Joplin. In this Classical Conversation with W…
Thu 21 Apr 2022
Allen Markowicz and Sylvia Neil: Board Chair Siblings
Allen Markowicz and Sylvia Neil are probably t he only siblings to simultanously chair the boards of two opera companies: Toledo Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago, respectively. In this wide-ranging …
Wed 20 Apr 2022
La Traviata Roundtable Discussion
We spend time with the stars of Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata, which is being presented by Toledo Opera on Friday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 24 at the Valentine Theatre. …
Mon 18 Apr 2022
Matt Haimovitz: Primavera II the rabbits
Multi-Grammy nominated cellist Matt Haimovitz joins WGTE's Brad Cresswell to talk about the second installment in The Primavera Project - an onoing series of 81 solo cello commissions for Matt. The p…
Wed 16 Mar 2022
Simone Dinnerstein: Undersong
Pianist Simone Dinnerstein joins us for a chat about her latest album, entitled Undersong. Beautiful, stately performances of works by Philip Glass, Robert Schumann, François Couperin and Erik Satie …
Thu 17 Feb 2022
JoAnn Falletta: Claudette Sorel Rediscovered
Multiple Grammy Award-winning conductor JoAnn Falletta talks with Haley Taylor about the remarkable pianist Claudette Sorel. A child prodigy (and eventual "poet of the keyboard" according to Falletta…
Fri 03 Dec 2021
Sheku and Isata: Muse
Haley Taylor chats with the uber-talented siblings Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason, who have released their first album together. Entitled Muse, the recording (on the Decca Classics label) features the …
Fri 05 Nov 2021
It's a "Liszt"ening Party!
UMich faculty member and stellar pianist Matthew Bengtson joins us for a preview of the upcoming 2021 American Liszt Society Festival at the University of Michigan (October 15 - 18). With a focus on …
Thu 07 Oct 2021
Il Trovatore Roundtable Discussion
We offer a preview discussion of Toledo Opera's upcoming production of Giuseppe Verdi's Il Trovatore, including how the opera's complicated (and sometimes horrifying) plot echoes the experience of co…
Thu 23 Sep 2021
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