Voice of the Arts

Assistant Artistic Director and Concertmaster of Apollo’s Fire, Alan Choo, discusses his upcoming collaboration concert with Chatham Baroque on Saturday, February 18th at 4 pm at Calvary Episcopal Church. Choo talks about the piece they will be performing, Heinrich Biber’s stunning Sonatas on the Mysteries of the Rosary, that features new instrumentation of the continuo. Choo highlights the difficulties of Biber’s untuning technique or scordatura that is used throughout this 15 sonata piece. Choo also discusses his work with Red Dot Baroque. Visit https://www.chathambaroque.org to learn more.

Two Artistic Directors, Mark Anderson of the Pittsburgh Camerata, and Kathryn Barnard of the Pittsburgh Girls Choir, discuss with Anna Singer their upcoming collaborative concert on Sunday, February 4th at 3 pm at the Shadyside Presbyterian Church. Hear Johnathan Dove’s Passing of the Year, a song that goes through the seasons of life. Kathryn and Mark describe the rest of the program that includes Ring Out Wild Bells, and the lyrical painting that Johnathan Dove does so well. Visit https://pittsburghcamerata.org/ or https://pittsburghgirlschoir.com/ to learn more about the concert, and see how to audition for either choirs.

Chair of the Board of Directors of New Horizon Theater, Inc., Joyce Meggerson-Moore, and theater artist, Herb Newsome, discuss New Horizon’s upcoming world premiere of Charles Dumas’ musical, “Blues is the Roots,” performing February 8th to the 18th at the Public Theaters Helen Wayne Rauh Rehearsal Hall above the O’Reilly Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh. “Blue is the Roots” tells the story of blues pioneer Willie Dixon, who became a songwriter, singer, and producer with Chess Records in the 1950’s. Herb highlights how Willie Dixon fought for equal treatment and pay for blues players, and how his cultivation of talent helped define Rock and Roll years later. Joyce also talks about New Horizon’s two other upcoming shows, including their special annual event on May 4th. Tickets for “Blues is the Roots” start at $35 for general admission. Visit https://www.newhorizontheater.org/ to learn more.

New Executive Director of Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures, Sony Ton-Aime, speaks with WQED-FM’s Anna Singer about his excitement about his new role after coming from Chautauqua Institution. He also highlights the exciting upcoming writers that are coming to the Pittsburgh area like Jennifer Egan on February 12th and Cameron Barnett on February 29th. Sony talks about his love with stories, and how he became a poet because of his father. Visit https://pittsburghlectures.org/ to learn more.

Watch this Episode on YouTube

Pianist James Iman discusses his upcoming free concert this Sunday, 4pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mount Lebanon as a part of their concert series. James highlights his repertoire for this concert that includes Anne Boyd’s Angklung and pieces from his latest CD. James also discusses his interest in 20th century composers, and how he went about recording and reissuing his latest CD’s. Visit https://www.stpaulspgh.org/concert-series/ to learn more.

Emmy award winning producer with WQED, Beth Dolinar, and Director of the Carnegie Museum of Art, Eric Crosby, discuss WQED’s premiere of a new documentary called “Beyond the Canvas” that highlights the 58th Carnegie International from last year. The documentary explores the history of the Carnegie International and brings into focus the work of three artists — Njaimeh Njaie, Tishan Hsu and James YaYa Hough. Eric also highlights the incredible achievements of the curating team and an increase in attendance last year. The documentary will premiere on February 1st at 8pm on WQED-TVHD Channel 13.

Theorbo player with Chatham Baroque, Scott Pauley, and soprano singer, Pascale Beaudin, discuss their upcoming performance of “Through the Wood, Laddie,” on January 26th, 27th and 28th. Pascale is a featured guest along with wooden flute player, Chris Norman, as the group brings to life music from Baroque Scotland to French Canadian folk music, and everything in between. Pascale also talks about her roots in the Canadian Maritime providences, and Scott highlights Pittsburgh’s historical connections to the French and Scottish. Visit www.chathambaroque.org to learn more.

Dean of the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquense University, David Allen Wehr, came by the studio to talk about the last “On the Bluff” series concert on Sunday, January 21st at 3 pm. David plays Two Nocturnes for Piano, op 62 by Chopin, and tells Jim Cunningham about the challenges of scheduling concerts and the repertoire that will be the highlight of the concert. Tickets start at $20.

Director of Choral Activities at Duquense University, Caron Daley, has founded a new professional choral ensemble called Archipelago Vocal Ensemble. This mixed ensemble will have its debut concert, “Awakenings,” on Saturday, January 27th, 7:30 pm at the Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in Allison Park, and Sunday, January 28th, 3 pm at the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church on Grant Street. Caron discusses with WQED-FM’s Anna Singer, the landmark repertoire that highlights underrepresented female-identifying composers, with four Pittsburgh premieres. Anna and Caron discuss why Archipelago was created, where its name came from, and Pittsburgh’s support of choral groups. Visit https://www.archipelago-choir.org/ to learn more. Admission to both concerts are by freewill donations.

Pittsburgh Opera presents Gluck’s “Iphigenie en Tauride” from January 20th through the 28th at the CAPA Theater. Stage Director Haley Stamats spoke with WQED-FM’s Anna Singer about her vision of the opera.

Pittsburgh Opera presents Gluck’s “Iphigenie en Tauride” from January 20th through the 28th at the CAPA Theater. Music Director Antony Walker spoke with WQED-FM’s Anna Singer about the opera’s score.

Brandon Bell sings the role of Oreste in Pittsburgh Opera’s production of Gluck’s “Iphigenie en Tauride” running from January 20th through the 28th at the CAPA Theater. Brandon spoke with WQED-FM’s Anna Singer about the role and his favorite parts in the opera.