Pittsburgh Symphony pianist Patricia Prattis Jennings talking to Jim Cunningham  looking back on her amazing career delving into why the Pittsburgh Symphony is raising $200,000 for a new Steinway grand.  She remembers the 1964 3 month of Europe sponsored by the US State Department with stops in Athens and Iran. Describes working with Steinberg, Jansons, Previn, Maazel and many of the great nights of music she took part in.

The Music Director of the Erie Philharmonic and Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra Daniel Meyer conducts Pittsburgh Symphony Highmark Holiday Pops through December 23rd at Heinz Hall. He provides scoop on Santa, Doug LeBrecque from broadway, violinist jenny Oaks Baker, the Mendelssohn Choir, the snow machine, a new arrangement of the Hamlisch Chanukah Lights with cellist Adam Liu and Rodrigo Ojeda pianist and the good cheer generally. Maestro meyer also has highlihgts of upcoming concert in Erie and Greensburg with holiday plans for a four year old and Mrs. Meyer, Mary Persin, Vice President of Artistic Administration for the Pitsburgh Symphony.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Principle Trumpet talks to WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham about the recent PSO Holiday Brass Spectacular, which took place at Heinz Hall on December 5th, 2018.

Jim Cunningham interviews the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra guest violinist playing the Korngold Concerto.

Conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier runs through the latest Pittsburgh concert with Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture, the Korngold Concerto with Simone Lansma in her Heinz Hall debut and the Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances. He loves Iceland and his work there, describing the hall as a landmark gem. He reiterates his affection for Pittsburgh and the Orchestra along with sharing memories of his famous father cellist Paul Tortelier and the amazing BBC broadcast box set of his Dad’s work which he plans on giving as a holiday gift. Holiday memories of Christmas in France too in this conversation with Jim Cunningham.

Manfred Honeck shares his thoughts about the Tree of Life Concert for Peace and Unity on the  afternoon after the event and looks ahead to Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Mass in the Time of War, Mozart’s Paris Symphony, and Ravel’s Concerto for the Left Hand. Plus a Honeck family Christmas in Nenzing Vorarlberg Austria in this conversation with Jim Cunningham recorded in the Maestro’s Suite on the Fifth Floor at Heinz Hall.

Pianist Bertrand Chamayou makes his Heinz Hall debut with Ravel’s Concerto for the Left Hand. He tells Jim Cunningham what it’s like to play with one hand and the story of the Concerto written for Paul Wittgenstein. He shares his love of Ravel and thoughts about his recordings of the complete Ravel piano music on Erato. Yes he enjoys eating snails and has dined at the restaurant on the Eiffel Tower. You will also learn the best bakery in Paris for croissants and macarons.