@ the Symphony

Rising star British conductor Edward Gardner makes his debut May 15th and 17th at Heinz Hall with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Sitting down in his dressing room after a double rehearsal on Thursday afternoon, he told Jim Cunningham about his program with Oliver Knussen's "Flourish with Fireworks," Beethoven's First Piano Concerto and Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony. So was the Sixth a farewell to the world? Edward has chosen the approach that doesn't make the score dreary or heart on the sleeve. Knussen and other British composers are favorites. He has enjoyed the Pittsburgh Symphony and the City on first impression with a walk around downtown. He's been a regular at the BBC Proms including last summer (2025) where he conducted "The Rose Lake" by Sir Michael Tippett who visited Pittsburgh at Andre Previn's invitation. Edward Gardner has more than 70 recordings in the Discogs online catalog. He suggested some to listen to including the "Dream of Gerontius" by Elgar, favorites by Tania Leon and Tippett's "A Child of Our Time." Conducting opera is important for him with a Wagner Ring Cycle on the way in Norway and hope of more work at the Metropolitan Opera where he's conducted five operas. 'A Force to Be Reckoned With' was the headline in the Hugh Morris May 2026 profile from the New York Times with a summary of his work on this American visit. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rafael Payare has been a rising star for more than a decade having worked with Gustavo Dudamel, Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim and Lorin Maazel on his way to the Music Director spot in Montreal and San Diego. In his dressing room with the portrait of former Pittsburgh Symphony Music Director Lorin Maazel looking over his shoulder, he tells Jim Cunningham he loved playing the French Horn in the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra, but his life is even richer with two daughters and wife Alisa Weilerstein who sometimes join him for concertos. He has hired thirty new members of the San Diego Symphony at the Jacobs Center after a huge investment has now greatly improved acoustics with a Wall Street Journal headline 'Splendid New Sound' from opening night 2024. His father was a cartographer in Venezuela where Maestro Payare benefited greatly from the Il Sistema training which brought his 'Brother" Dudamel to the front of the orchestra world. Jimmy Lopez' "Peru Negro" has a premiere here in Pittsburgh and he'll lead it in San Diego where Lopez is Composer-in-Residence along with Montreal. Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" never fails to provide a charge for the conductor who has been described as 'electrifying'. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jim Cunningham interview Yefim Bronfman about his Schumann Concerto performance with Daniele Rustioni and the Pittsburgh Symphony.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Manfred Honeck, plays Mahler's Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection". WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with soprano Ying Fang. She talks about her work with Manfred Honeck; doing the piece recently with Yannick Nezet-Seguin; performing Mozart's Idomeneo with Manfred at the Met; and her espresso machine she takes on the road with her. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Friday February 13, 2026, WQED-FM broadcast the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert live from Heinz Hall. The concert featured Arturs Maskats "Tango;" Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 with soloist Randall Goosby; Barber's Adagio for Strings, and Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story." After the concert, WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Jim Cunningham about the scene in the lobby with the table of WQED giveaways; her thoughts on the concert; and a rundown of the many concerts taking place this weekend in Southwestern PA. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Friday February 13, 2026, WQED-FM broadcast the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert live from Heinz Hall. The concert featured Arturs Maskats "Tango;" Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 with soloist Randall Goosby; Barber's Adagio for Strings, and Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story." Prior to the start of the concert WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham was joined by cellist Charlie Powers, who talked about their post-concert performance of Elgar and Bernstein, and traveling to Florida in a few weeks with a few other members of the Orchestra for a short chamber tour. Jim was also joined by Alejandro Pinzon, who is the director of the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra. He talked about playing the bandoneon on the first piece in the program - "Tango." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with returning guest conductor Petr Popelka leading the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in Brahms' Academic Festival Overture, the Dvorak Violin Concerto and Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra. Maestro Popelka speaks in his dressing room about Pittsburgh's connection to the Bartok Concerto for Orchestra; his work with soloist Josef Spacek; their love of fellow countryman Antonin Dvorak; his successful debut with the Berlin Philharmonic; and his love of radio. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

WQED-FM was at Heinz Hall for a live broadcast of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on Friday January 16, 2026. The concert featured guest conductor Dima Slobodeniouk conducting "Flounce" by Lotta Wennakoski and the Sibelius Symphony No. 2, along with Lucas and Arthur Jussen playing the Poulenc Concerto for Two Pianos. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham was joined by guest conductor Dima Slobodeniouk during intermission to talk about the concert; his friendship with Lotta Wennakoski and her piece "Flounce;" working with the Pittsburgh Symphony; conducting Beethoven 9th's in Vienna; and his upcoming engagements. Also joining Jim during intermission were the piano soloists Lucas and Arthur Jussen. They spoke about the Poulenc piece as well their encore; what they will do with their day off before Sunday's concert; and their love of sports. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra played Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man;" Beethoven's Violin Concerto with PSO Concertmaster David McCarroll as soloist, and the Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 at Heinz Hall the weekend of December 5th, 2025. WQED-FM was there to broadcast the concert on Sunday December 7th live. After the concert, WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with violist Sean Juhl about their busy schedule the last week or so. Then, Jim was joined by Principal Horn William Caballero and Principal Oboe Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida, who spoke about the trip to New York City, playing the Shostakovich Symphony No. 5, their new CD, and their love of WQED-FM. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra played Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man;" Beethoven's Violin Concerto with PSO Concertmaster David McCarroll as soloist, and the Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 at Heinz Hall the weekend of December 5th, 2025. WQED-FM was there to broadcast the concert on Sunday December 7th live. Before the concert, WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with PSO violist Tatjana Mead Chamis and PSO Violinist Lorien Benet Hart about the recent trip to New York City, and what to expect from this afternoon's concert. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Houston Symphony Music Director Juraj Valcuha returns to conduct the Richard Strauss "Ein Heldenleben," A hero's Life, which reveals the autobiography of the composer complete with his thoughts on music critics but does it end with a triumph? Not exactly. It is a giant piece and 45 minutes of delightful music. Maestro Valcuha tells Jim Cunningham in his dressing room after rehearsal on Thursday evening that he has already given the world premiere of the "Liberty Bell" by Julia Wolfe, co-commissioned with Pittsburgh and Houston. The composer will take a bow on stage this weekend. She uses lots of bells in the augmented percussion section. Juraj Valcuha has renewed his Houston contract through 2027 and he is still getting to know the city. Rodeo is on the plan for next year and after leaving Pittsburgh, he'll conduct "A Hero's Life" at Jones Hall at Thanksgiving. He is just back from conducting the Debussy opera "Pelléas and Melisande" in Switzerland for one month working with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande - famous for hundreds of recordings with Ernest Ansermet. He's a nature lover and he hopes he can enjoy the great outdoors a bit with many dates on his calendar. Pittsburgh is a favorite stop with his grandfather having lived here. He's visited Grandads' final resting place in Pittsburgh and looks forward to more concerts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pianist Helene Grimaud talks with Jim Cunningham about her wide-ranging tour with the Gershwin Piano Concerto marking its 100th anniversary. She recorded it live with David Zinman two decades ago and is delighted to return to it in Pittsburgh, Houston, Washington DC and opening the new era in Cincinnati with Christian Macelaru. She's recently driven across the country from her California home to return to a place in Westchester, New York. A new recording is on the way. She has loved her many concerts with Pittsburgh including tour programs where she brought along her own tuner and Steinway. In Europe the distances are not too far, so hiring the truck and piano mover is more practical than in the States. In Pittsburgh, she is delighted to play the 24 year old concert grand while the new instrument is smoothing out its freshness. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.