Pittsburgh Symphony on Tour

The 2022 Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra European Festival Tour came to a triumphant close in Cologne last night with Anne-Sophie Mutter playing the Beethoven Violin Concerto and the Manfred Honeck conducting the Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5.  In this final Tour Report, Jim spoke with both Manfred Honeck and Anne-Sophie Mutter to get their thoughts on the tour.  Plus, hear from Principal Tuba Craig Knox who talks about how he stays in shape on tour.  Plus, hear from the organizer of the Cologne Philharmonie, who says it’s not only the acoustics that bring orchestras to Cologne, but also the beer!

Jim Cunningham spoke with cellist Aron Zelkowicz as he visits a family home and factory outside of Wiesbaden, Germany. He also talks to the organizers of the Rheingau Music Festival; the Principal Officer and Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany Norman Thatcher Scharpf and his wife Donna; as well as with PSO President and CEO Melia Tourangeau and President of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance Mark Thomas.

It’s a day off for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, but it’s a jam packed tour report! Jim Cunningham spoke with Principal Clarinet Michael Rusinek and Principal Bassoon Nancy Goeres; New York Times Classical Music Critic Zachary Woolfe, PSO Clarinetist Victoria Luperi and her two nephews as they visited a botanical garden, President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate Jake Corman, and Artistic Director of the Philharmonie Essen, Marie Babette Nierenz.

It’s a beautiful day in Wiesbaden, Germany. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra just arrived and will perform tonight. It’s the next to last concert of the tour. Jim Cunningham interrupted PSO Assistant Conductor Jacob Joyce’s lunch to get his thoughts on the tour, his role on the trip and more.

“Everyone’s a Critic” goes the saying. But for Jeremy Reynolds – it’s the truth! Jeremy is the Classical Music Critic for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He joined WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham in the lobby of the hotel after the Dresden concert for this tour report. It was going to be a long night of writing, so he had ordered a pizza for delivery. Jeremy talks about tonight’s concert, some of the other stories he’s covered while on the tour and much more. Which European concert hall sounds a lot like Heinz Hall? Find out in this tour report!

WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham chats with cellist Jan Vogler. He’s performed with Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall in the past, and he’s thrilled to have them at the Dresden Music Festival. Jan talks about his role as intendant of the Dresden Music Festival, his recent recordings, and growing up in East Berlin.

Two Pittsburgh Presidents joined WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham for a conversation – Melia Tourangeau, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and Mark Thomas, President of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance. Both talk about how the PSO is a fantastic Ambassador of Pittsburgh to Europe, and the importance of the arts in bringing European business to Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra just arrived in Salzburg, where they will perform a concert tonight. WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham chatted with English Horn Ian Woodworth about the tour, his experience so far and more.

It was an emotional evening at the Grosses Festspielhaus in Salzurg. The audience soaked up the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Manfred Honeck and Anne-Sophie Mutter, providing rhythmic applause before their encore. Hear that, along with a conversation with PA State Representative Rob Mercuri and his wife Kelsey; and Florian Wiegand – who went to school at CMU, but is now the Director of Concerts for the Salzburg Festival.

Playing for John Williams and Paul McCartney? That’s what Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra guest violinist Josefina Vergara does on a regular basis living in Hollywood as a member of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. She’s a frequent player with the PSO and she’s joining them on this European tour. Jim Cunningham caught up with Josefina and PSO Trumpet Neal Berntsen to talk about the tour, the type of trumpets being used on the Mahler and how this tour is making them feel like a sense of normalcy is returning.

What does Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Principal Piccolo do on a day off? Go rowing on the river! WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham asked Rhian Kenny about her rowing experience, along with the music on this tour that is best for the piccolo. Jim also spoke to guest horn Donna Dolson, who had just visited the Folkwang Museum.

Jim Cunningham spoke with two touring members of the Pittsburgh Symphony on this European tour – violinists Boson Mo, who is a member of the Houston Symphony, and Yi Zhao, who is the Assistant Concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony. Jim also spoke with Robert Rydel, who is a member of the Charlotte Symphony, who has been a guest musician with the Pittsburgh Symphony for more than 30 years!