Creatively Speaking

Russian choral music developed over centuries - informed by tradition, the state, the church, and eventually other parts of the world. As WRTI’s Susan Lewis reports, this month, The Philadelphia Singers contrasts the works of two Russian masters, who created their sacred choral music over a century apart.

The Philadelphia Singers performs selections from Tchaikovsky’s 1878 Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, together with Alfred Schnittke's Choir Concerto, written in 1984-85, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City, Philadelphia on Sunday April 28th. Information here.

Music Lives at the Woodmere Art Museum in Chestnut Hill, where, as WRTI's Jim Cotter reports, the role of jazz in the history of the United Nations is being celebrated - close to where the UN’s Headquarters might have been.

Take a look at the Promise Of Peace: Violet Oakley's United Nations Portraits at the Woodmere Art Museum.

A United Nations Jazz Jam: Musicians from Around the World, April 26th, 6 to 8 pm at the Woodmere Art Museum. Performers include Yoomi Kwan (Korea, on cello); Rosie Langabeer (New Zealand), on accordion and piano); Atiba (Trinidad, on steel drums); Gloria Galante (Italy, on harp); Qin-Qian (China, on Erhu); Koki Soul (French Canadian, guitar/percussion/vocals); Phyllis Hadad (Brazil, on piano) and Moguane Mahloeoe (South Africa, on percussion).

One of the most recent instrumentalists to be added to the roster of soloists in orchestral performances is the percussionist. As WRTI’s Jim Cotter reports, it’s a role that makes unique demands.

In a program that also features works by Wagner and Tchaikovsky, Colin Currie performs Christopher Rouses' Der gerettete Alberich with The Philadelphia Orchestra here on WRTI on Sunday, April 21 at 2 pm.

Though better known today as a commercial brand, the Rosetta Stone is the artifact that most helped human kind in its understanding of ancient languages. As WRTI's Jim Cotter reports, a local music group is using the term to describe its exploration of great music written in non-native languages. Lyric Fest presents: The Rosetta Stone at the Academy of Vocal Arts on Sunday, May 5th at 3 pm.

A new Philadelphia tourism initiative is encouraging visitors and residents alike to explore restaurants, galleries, culture, and nightlife in neighborhoods just beyond Center City. As WRTI’s Susan Lewis reports, the campaign by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, or GPTMC, paints portraits of nearby neighborhoods that are attracting visitors.

A new section of GPTMC's website is devoted to 14 neighborhoods, with maps, videos, and social media integration. Check it out here!

A Dutch-born conductor, who walked away from a pre-eminent position in his homeland to find success abroad, conducts in Philadelphia this week. WRTI’s Jim Cotter says the former instrumentalist made the move against the advice of his compatriots but with the encouragement of a classical-music legend. Information about the concert here.

Jaap Van Sweden; The Man and the Music (Part 1)

Jaap Van Sweden; The Man and the Music (Part 2)

Once ignored by conservatories and reviled by audiences, Schoenberg’s half-spoken, half-sung Pierrot Lunaire is being intensively rehearsed for performances by Curtis Institute of Music musicians on Monday and Tuesday of next week (April 15th and 16th).

As The Philadelphia Inquirer’s David Patrick Stearns reports, the instigators are visiting professors who don’t look much different from the students: the modern music ensemble eighth blackbird, who are in the first year of a three-year residency that should extend the Curtis tradition to the cutting edge.

WRTI’s concert broadcast of The Philadelphia Orchestra on Sunday, April 14th features the music of two Romantic Viennese masters.  WRTI’s Susan Lewis talks with concertmaster David Kim about how the symphonies of Franz Schubert and Anton Bruckner bring out the famous Philadelphia sound, and about the interpretation of guest conductor Christoph von Dohnanyi.  

Listen to this Sunday’s WRTI concert broadcast of The Philadelphia Orchestra, which will include an interview at Intermission with concertmaster David Kim.