Jim Cotter speaks with Christoph Eschenbach -- now in his final weeks as music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Jason Peifer takes us to the underworld of Eurydice, by Sarah Ruhl, at the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia. An original score from Toby Twining was composed for the Wilma's production of the play.

Susan Lewis visits the Delaware Art Museum which uses art to both tell and inspire stories.

More Information:

This week Jill Pasternak's guest is acclaimed flutist Mimi Stillman. At 12, Ms. Stillman was the youngest wind player ever admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music. She has since appeared as a soloist with numerous ensembles, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, and performed chamber music in many of the world's great concert halls. She is the founder and artistic director of the Dolce Suono Chamber Music Concert Series, entering its third season in its new home at First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia.

By Windsor Johnston

John Kerry: Massachusetts Senator

Philadelphia, PA 19103 – In Part 2 of our series, John Kerry weighs in on the hotly contested Democratic primary race, and explains why he thinks Illinois Senator Barack Obama should become the next U.S. president.

A former presidential candidate, Kerry is back on the campaign trail stumping for Obama, and will be featured on WRTI from May 2 to 7.

By Windsor Johnston

Former U.S. President William J. Clinton

Philadelphia, PA – Bill Clinton discusses life back on the presidential campaign trail--this time on behalf of his wife, New York Senator Hillary Clinton.

The two-term American president also talks about the role he expects to play in a potential second Clinton administration, and makes some predictions about the road ahead for his wife and her Democratic opponent, Illinois Senator Barak Obama.

Jim Cotter speaks with author Steve Lopez.  His story of destitute musician Nathaniel Ayers is being made into a film starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr.

Susan Lewis takes us to Fashioning Kimono: Art Deco and Modernism in Japan, a new exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

David Patrick Stearns looks ahead to Leon Fleisher's performance of Paul Hindemith's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand with Christoph Eschenbach conducting the Curtis Symphony.

More Information:

Bobby Broom was born in Harlem on January 18, 1961 and grew up on Manhattan's Upper West Side. He didn't begin playing guitar until age 12 and his first lessons focused on folk music. A year later, Broom began studying with a jazz guitar teacher named, Jimmy Carter. Though Carter encouraged his student to listen to jazz, Broom was more interested in the pop hits of the day from Earth Wind and Fire and Kool and The Gang.

This week Jill Pasternak speaks with American classical guitarist Giovanni De Chiaro. Since his New York debut in 1976 De Chiaro has concertized throughout the United States, Mexico and Europe. He has also recorded two nationally televised special programs for the PBS network and has made numerous recordings for the Louisiana-based Centaur Records, including a four-volume set of his guitar transcriptions of the complete works of Scott Joplin.

Resources:

Jim Cotter leads a conversation about arts education in Philadelphia's public school system.

David Patrick Stearns on Leonard Bernstein's third, "Kaddish", symphony.

Jason Peifer previews Mum Puppettheater's interpretation of George Orwell's classic novel Animal Farm.

Resources:

Jim Cotter visits the Woodmere Art Museum in Chestnut Hill to explore the work of Benjamin West a colonial-era superstar artist.

Susan Lewis considers Lyric Fest and its upcoming recital of songs written by composers with Philadelphia connections.

Historian Thomas Keels delves into the 1960s destruction of the birthplace of Benjamin Rush; Philadelphia's forgotten founding father.

Jason Peifer takes us to the 47th Annual Philadelphia Antiques Show.

Resources:

Jill Pasternak welcomes pianist John Owings. Owings is a prizewinner of several prestigious competitions, including the gold medal at the first Robert Casadesus International Piano Competition in Cleveland. His CD recordings on the Koch International Classics and Opus Millesime labels have received outstanding reviews, and his most recent CD, on the Pro Organo label, features the complete keyboard works of Julius Reubke. Since 1990 Owings has been a member of the faculty of Texas Christian University.

Resources: