Voice of the Arts

Trio Sine Nomine (violinist Lydia Choorapuzha, violist Warren Davidson, and cellist Adam Liu) present a concert titled “Spirituals and Serenades”, featuring music by Adolphus Hailstork, W. A. Mozart and Erno von Dohnanyi. The concert takes place on Saturday March 2nd, 7pm at Third Presbyterian Church. Lenny Young stopped by the QED Morning Show to chat with Jim Cunningham about the concert.

Pittsburgh Symphony Principal harp Gretchen van Hoesen joins Edgewood Symphony Conductor Walter Morales and Jim Cunningham to discuss their concert “Songs of the Night and the Sea,” March 2nd, 7:30pm at the Katz Performing Arts Center of the JCC in Squirrel Hill. Gretchen plays the Morceau de Concert with music by Augusta Holmes, Lilli Boulanger and Debussy’s la Mer. Note—the March 2nd date is a change from the original date, which was necessary after the season brochure was printed.

Music Director of the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale, Susan Medley, discusses the choir’s upcoming performance of Faure’s Requiem and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms this Saturday, March 2nd at 7:30pm at the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, and Sunday, March 3rd at 4pm at Ingomar United Methodist Church. Susan and Anna Singer discuss Faure’s “lullaby of death” and how it became a favorite of Susan’s after her father’s death. They discuss how Bernstein’s Chichester Pslams pairs well with the Requiem and the unique instrumentation that will be present for both. Susan also talks about her upcoming appearance as a guest conductor for the Washington Symphony Orchestra. Visit pccsing.org/classicalconcert to find tickets and learn more.”

The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh presents 2 FREE concerts on Saturday March 9th, Westminster Presbyterian Church and Sunday March 10th at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham spoke to the choir’s new Music Director Daniel Singer about the concert titled “Coming Home”, how he came up with the program, his role with the Mendelssohn and more.

Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company, Mark Clayton Southers, shares the company’s exciting plans for their upcoming 2024 season. The season starts off with a cabaret production of Dinah in April, followed by a new play written by Monteze Freeland in June, Radio Golf at the August Wilson House in August, and ending with their signature Theatre Festival in Black and White in October. Mark shares how he secured local jazz legends, including Roger Humphries, to play in the production of Dinah, and his continuing artistic collaboration with Monteze. His daughter, Ashley Renee Southers, also joined to talk about her role in coordinating the Black and White Theatre Festival that highlights eight one-act plays in two programs. Visit https://www.pghplaywrights.org/ to learn more and learn about their subscriptions and tickets.

Artistic Director of Prime Stage Theatre, Wayne Brinda, discusses their upcoming production of “And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank” running March 1st to the 10th at the New Hazlett Center for the Performing Arts. This production immerses the audience in the true-life story of Anne’s childhood friends, Eva Geiringer Schloss and Ed Silverberg. Wayne highlights a special post show discussion on opening night (March 2nd) with Father John Nieman who will share stories about his personal friendship with Otto Frank and Miep Gies in the 1970’s as well as a special video showing of last year’s powerful play, Perseverance on Monday, March 4th. To learn more and get tickets, visit https://primestage.com/events/.

Organist and Music Director at East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Dr. Edward Alan Moore, discusses with Jim Cunningham the church’s upcoming concert celebrating Black History Month and Women’s History Month. “Singing Our History” will be presented on February 25th at 3pm at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Moore highlights the program that contains Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Amy Beach, Sarah Class, and Rebecca Clark. Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass features the English translation of the Mass text, as well as more rhythmic sections throughout the piece. This concert is part of WQED’s Gospel programming that highlights local concerts in the Western Pennsylvania area. Visit wqed.org/gospel to see the full list of events and watch Henry Louis Gates Jr’s Gospel series on WQED. Visit https://cathedralofhope.org/worship/cathedral-concerts/ to learn more.

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“I hardly think of you at all’, so says King Henry II to his middle son, Geoffrey in Band of Brother’s Shakespeare’s upcoming play, “The Lion in Winter.” Director Don Evanisko, and actor Paul Mastovich discuss this James Goldman play about the personal and political conflicts of King Henry II of England during Christmas time in 1183. Paul highlights his own experience as a middle child when channeling the character of Geoffrey. This production will mark Don’s directorial debut with Band of Brothers, which is another item in his long list of theater credits. “The Lion in Winter” will run February 28th to March 2nd at the St. Columba Church in Cambria City. Visit https://www.bandofbrothersshakespeareco.org/ to learn more.

The Beo String Quartet are back in Pittsburgh! Brothers Sean Neukom and Jason Neukom of the quartet, discuss with WQED-FM their upcoming concert at City of Asylum on Tuesday, February 27th at 7pm. They highlight their genre-bending program that includes a new work by Sean that describes a story his mother once told him. Also included in the program is Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8, which they played live in WQED-FM’s studios and is featured on this podcast. Jason and Sean also tackle what it means to be genre-bending, and what is next on the horizon for the group. Visit https://cityofasylum.org/program/beo-string-quartet-genre-bending-harmony/ to reserve free in-person or livestream tickets.

The Mnozil Brass will perform at West Allegheny High School on Monday February 26th at 7pm. WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham spoke with the ensemble’s trumpet player, Roman Rindberger, from Austria. Roman talks about the ensemble, how they got their name and much more.

Conductor Leonard Slatkin stopped by the QED Morning Show with Jim Cunningham on Wednesday February 14th, 2024. Maestro told stories and requested music during the 8 to 10am hours.

Pittsburgh Opera presents “Proving Up” February 17th through the 25th at the Bitz Opera Factory. WQED-FM’s Anna Singer spoke with Stage Director Haley Stamats about the looks she wants for the opera.