Los Angeles Philharmonic

As the classical concert season ramps up, two of America's finest orchestras will soon be led by new conductors when Daniel Harding takes over in Los Angeles and Elim Chan leads in San Francisco.

Join host Mark Pinto on WRTI on May 3 from 3-6 p.m. for a new edition of Sunday Classical: New Releases, which includes a spotlight on two crossover efforts: Pekka Suusisto and Sam Amidon combining classical and American folk music; and Aldo López-Gavilán, Ricardo Morales, and the Boulder Philharmonic fusing classical, jazz, and Afro-Cuban rhythms.

Composers like Gabriela Ortiz and producers like Elaine Martone were among the classical artists who made pointed statements beyond the strictly musical at the 2026 Grammy Awards.

Here are the recordings and concerts that thrilled our classical hosts in 2024. Join host Mark Pinto on Sunday Classical, Jan. 5 from 3-6 p.m., to hear music from each of our favorite albums.

On the first Sunday of every month, WRTI broadcasts a special edition of Sunday Classical, focused on classical new releases. Join host Mark Pinto on WRTI on Sept. 1 from 3-6 p.m. to hear highlights from each of these albums.

Recorded by the Los Angeles Philharmonic (with Gustavo Dudamel at the helm), Thomas Adès' 'Dante' is a relentlessly fascinating ballet. Bruce Hodges gives it a close listen in our Album of the Week review.

July 22, 2019. Two musical forces of nature join together in a live performance of fantasy, adventure and romance. Our WRTI Classical Album of the Week…

Esa-Pekka Salonen is best known for his fruitful 17-year tenure as the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, now led by Gustavo Dudamel.…

David Patrick Stearns profiles acclaimed Finnish composer and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen. As a composer, Salonen is quoted saying "Musical expression is…

The L.A. musicians played for thousands and saw Venezuela's "El Sistema" music education up close.