@ the Symphony

Violinist Alexi Kenney returns to Pittsburgh to perform the Barber Concerto with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor Juraj Valcuha. Alexi talks about the concerto, playing the PSO and more with Jim Cunningham.

Juraj Valcuha returns to Heinz Hall to conduct the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in Nico Muhly’s “Bright Idea”, Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra and Barber’s Violin Concerto with guest soloist Alexi Kenney. WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham spoke to the maestro about the concert.

WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham speaks with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Guest Conductor Petr Popelka, pianist Yulianna Avdeeva and PSO Vice President of Artistic Planning Mary Persin during intermission of WQED-FM’s live broadcast on Friday January 12, 2024.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Associate Conductor Moon Doh stopped by the QED Morning Show to talk about the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s Schooltime concert “Courage to Stand” taking place Wednesday January 17th at 10:30 and 7pm and Tuesday January 23rd at 10:30am. The concerts feature the orchestra and special guests in a dynamic exploration of musicians, dancers, poets, and other leaders who have used the power of the arts to express their core convictions.

Pittsburgh Symphony Principal Pops Conductor Byron Stripling stopped by the QED Morning Show to talk about this weekend’s concerts titled “Cirque Carnival.”  Byron talks about what you can expect from the concert, PSO Principal Flute playing as a soloist and working with Dizzy Gillespie.

WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham interviewed violinist Bomsori, guest conductor James Gaffigan, new Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Associate Trombone Doug Rosenthal, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Classical Music Critic Jeremy Reynolds during our live broadcast from Friday November 3, 2023.

Rudolf Buchbinder talks with Jim Cunningham about playing all five Beethoven concertos in a single weekend at Heinz Hall October 26th and 28th 2023. He says it is not a big deal, that Beethoven and Mozart did it all the time even though it has never been done in Pittsburgh since the 1967 concerts of Rudolf Serkin and William Steinberg at the Syria Mosque. Buchbinder discusses his love for Beethoven and where he feels his presence in his favorite city Vienna. Does he know who The Immortal Beloved was and what is the key to his nature are among the topics. Love is the answer! Plus, thoughts about his most recent recording for DG Soiree de Vienne and all the Beethoven Sonatas recorded in a few days at the Salzburg Festival for live ORF broadcasts. The importance of radio, having Frau Buchbinder, Agnes, along for the ride, his admiration for Pittsburgh, and the good summer at his Grafenegg Festival all turn up along the conversation path.

Pittsburgh born rapper Frzy returns to WQED where he won an Emmy award for his “Wont You Be My Neighbor” video joining Christian Kriegeskotte who has composed the orchestral score for an evening of Frzy fun at Heinz Hall with Moon Doh conducting November 8. DJ Solo and Frzy’s The Faculty with singers and more mark the 50th anniversary of hip hop in style. Frzy talks about the positive flow of his message with Jim Cunningham.

WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham spoke with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Vice-President of Artistic Planning Mary Persin about tonight’s (10/18) PSO360 concert as Pittsburgh Symphony musicians take center stage for an intimate evening of music in collaboration with the landmark Pittsburgh Violins of Hope community project.  She also talks about upcoming PSO concerts she’s looking forward to and about the special Violins of Hope concert taking place in November.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Associate Conductor Moon Doh stopped by the QED Morning Show to talk about the concerts he’s conducting this weekend called “Disney: The Sound of Magic.”

Pittsburgh Symphony Associate Conductor Jacob Joyce joins Jim Cunningham and Erin Lynn, Director of Audience Experience, to speak about the Disrupt concert “Ludwig Grooves” with Manfred Honeck conducting Beethoven’s Seventh and the John Adams “Short Ride in a Fast Machine.” The Transformation Fizz cocktail and mocktail can be taken in to the concert hall. Arrive early for fun with the photo booths and optional wigs, art from the Carnegie Museum, Attack Theater Dancers and Jacob Joyce revealing special features of the music. Will Maestro Honeck wear sneakers?  A relaxed vibe with music making at the highest level.

WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham interviews Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Music Director Manfred Honeck, guest soloist Helene Grimaud and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra President and CEO Melia Tourangeau during intermission of our live broadcast on Friday September 29th, 2023.