In-Studio Guests
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Guests drop by! WRCJ 90.9 FM has welcomed many guests into our Detroit studio to share their insights in the music making and sometimes even play live on the air. Take a listen.
August 23, 2010 - The Catalyst Quartet The newest ensemble from the Sphinx Organization, which is dedicated to promoting Black and Latino classical string players, stopped by the studio to talk with Dave Wagner and perform "Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector" by Terry Riley. The members are (l-r) cellist Karlos Rodriguez, violinists Karla Donehew Perez and Bryan Hernandez-Luch, and violist Christopher Jenkins. (Photo: Win Lubin.) Part 1 is intro and performance; Part 2 is our conversation. Part 1 Part 2
August 21, 2010 - Mulgrew Miller Acclaimed jazz pianist and 2010 artist in residence for the Detroit International Jazz Festival Mulgrew Miller joined John Penney on "JazzFest Detroit" to talk about the upcoming festival, music education and much more.
August 16, 2010 - DSO Contract Talks Comments from DSO Cellist Haden McKay and DSO President and Executive Director Anne Parsons as presented on "The Well-Tempered Wireless."
Chris Felcyn was pleased to welcome into "The Well-Tempered Wireless" two of classical music's rising stars: Conductor JoAnn Falleta and violinist Chloe Hanslip. They were in town to perform an evening of Italian music with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at Meadow Brook. They shared their insights on performing Paganini and more. Faletta Hanslip
July 14, 2010 - Hugh Munro Neely and Jeffrey Silverman It was a pretty big deal when the DSO, under the baton of Mr. Neely, performed live the world premiere of Mr. Silverman's new score for the 1926 Mary Pickford silent film "Sparrows." Chris Felcyn spoke with the conductor and composer on "The Well-Tempered Wireless" the day before the concert and screening.
Mr. Parcells shares thoughts on wrapping up a distinguished 28-year career as Principal Trumpet - and Floy & Lee Barthel Chair - with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
The maestro (with lovely daughter Chase) visited Chris to talk about his upcoming River Days performance leading the DSO and about the linguistic challenges of conducting the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine.
One of the hottest young ensembles in classical music stopped by to perform a work by Hayden on The Well Tempered Wireless. They were in town to perform with the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival.
June 2, 2010 - Leonard Slatkin
Chris Felcyn talks with Maestro Slatkin about his upcoming concerts with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival.
Listen now to Chris Felcyn's chat with conductor Hans Graf, in town to conduct Mozart's Requiem with the DSO. You'll also hear his thoughts on wine, jazz and more.
March 26, 2010 - Barbara Hall Hassan
Listen now to Chris' conversation with cellist Barbara Hall Hassan, who performed her final concert with the DSO in March after a distinguished 43-year tenure.
March 24, 2010 - Christian Zaharias
Listen now to Chris' conversation with pianist and conductor Christian Zacharias, in town to perform Bach & Beethoven with the DSO.
March 18, 2010 - DSA Achievers: Ladies Ensemble Detroit School of Arts vocal instructor Connie Malabed joined Chris Felcyn to talk about the DSA vocal programs and play a couple of recordings by the DSA Achievers Ladies Ensemble. These high school students do not shy away from difficult works!
March 10, 2010 - Marina Piccinini Acclaimed flutist Marina Piccinini talks with Chris about performing Corigliano's Pied Piper Fantasy. She was in town to perform witht the DSO
February 23, 2010 - Alexander Hanna Alexander Hanna, the principal double bassist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, joins Chris to talk about Interlochen, landing that first big gig, and his time at Curtis Institute of Music.
February 10, 2010 - The Shanghai Quartet Weigang Li and Honggang Li, violin and viola respectively, are one-half of the acclaimed Shanghai Quartet, in town to perform with pianist Yuja Wang for the Chamber Music Society of Detroit. They talk with Chris about living during China's cultural revolution, playing allegro molto, and more.
February 5, 2010 - Sol Gabetta Immediately following her performance of Samuel Barber's Cello Concerto, Argentine cellist Sol Gabetta stopped by to talk Chris about Samuel Barber, Leonard Slatkin and Orchestra Hall.
January 29, 2010 - Drew McManus Hear a fascinating discussion about the future of orchestras from the noted consultant fresh off the American Orchestras Summit in Ann Arbor.
January 29, 2010 - Leonard Slatkin The Maestro talks about his health, upcoming concerts and much more.
January 28, 2010 - Regina Carter Acclaimed violinist, recording artist and MacArthur fellow Regina Carter visited Chris Felcyn in the studio to talk about playing Paganini's fiddle, music as a healer, her new album, and much more. Ms. Carter was in town for the DSO's classical roots series, where she'll premiere a new work by composer Billy Childs.
Click here to listen to our DSO Unmasked program which features Billy Childs, choral director Brazeal Dennard and more about the history of the Classical Roots series.
November 19, 2009 - Michel Camilo Hear Chris Felcyn's conversation with Grammy Award-winning composer and pianist Michel Camilo. The Latin jazz infused, classically trained Mr. Camilo was in town to perform his Piano Concerto # 1 with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
November 12, 2009 - Jorja Fleezanis Hear Chris Felcyn's conversation with acclaimed violinist Jorja Fleezanis as she prepares for the 2009-2010 season opening concert by The Southern Great Lakes Symphony, to be held Sunday, 11/15 at 3 p.m. at the Flat Rock Community Auditorium. Ms. Fleezanis will play works by J.S. Bach and Ernest Chausson.
Hear Chris Felcyn's interview with classical guitarist Sharon Isbin, in town to perform music by Rodrigo with the DSO.
May 14, 2009 – Erich Kunzel Maestro Erich Kunzel was in town to conduct the DSO in “a musical adventure through space and time in Star Trek meets Star Wars,” and of course he stopped by The Well-Tempered Wireless to talk about it with Chris Felcyn. Along the way he also discussed being Pierre Monteux’s conducting assistant, the intricacies of Cincinnati chili, and Ewoks vs. Tribbles.
July 30, 2009 - Maestro Thomas Wilkins Maestro Thomas Wilkins stops by The Well-Tempered Wireless to chat about upcoming DSO concerts at Meadowbrook. Topics include the jazzy side of the DSO, why the 2nd movement of Beethoven’s Pastorale Symphony is particularly challenging to perform and his favorite vacation spot (it’s in Wisconsin).
July 24, 2009 - Maestro Leonard Slatkin Maestro Slatkin stops by The Well-Tempered Wireless to talk about the upcoming Detroit Symphony concerts at Meadowbrook, the technicalities of working with cannon and trade prospects for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Maestro Miller and Soprano Kisma Jordan (a Detroit Public Schools graduate!) stopped by to talk with Chris Felcyn about their Salute to America perfomances with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Learn what it's like to lead the orchestra in Thus Spake Zarathustra, and hear how Kisma prepares for singing Climb Every Mountain.
June 4, 2009 - Peter Oundjian While in town to conduct the final DSO subscription concerts of the season, Maestro Peter Oundjian stops by to discuss Richard Strauss’ “Four Last Songs,” Bela Bartok’s “Concerto for Orchestra,” and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
June 4, 2009 - The Biava Quartet Click here to see a video of The Biava Quartet performing live in the WRCJ studio. The Quartet was in town for the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, June 6 - 21, 2009.
May 29, 2009 - Orion Weiss Just minutes after receiving a thunderous ovation from a packed Orchestra Hall audience, 27-year-old piano phenom Orion Weiss joined Chris Felcyn in the atrium of the Max Fisher Music Center to talk about Beethoven, piano players, avatars, web sites and more.
May 22, 2009 - Jaime Laredo and Sharon Robinson
May 14, 2009 – Erich Kunzel Maestro Erich Kunzel was in town to conduct the DSO in “a musical adventure through space and time in Star Trek meets Star Wars,” and of course he stopped by The Well-Tempered Wireless to talk about it with Chris Felcyn. Along the way he also discussed being Pierre Monteux’s conducting assistant, the intricacies of Cincinnati chili, and Ewoks vs. Tribbles.
May 8, 2009 - Homero Velho Baritone Homero Velho joins Chris Felcyn on The Well Tempered Wireless to talk about his role as Escamillo (The Toreador) in the Michigan Opera Theatre's production of Georges Bizet's Carmen.
April 29, 2009 - The Windsor Symphony Orchestra WSO Music Director John Morris Russell talks with Chris Felcyn about upcoming events and shares a wonderful story about Gregory Peck.
April 23, 2009 - Detroit School of Arts wins a Grammy! Congratulations to the students and staff at the Detroit School of Arts -- one of only six schools nationwide (out of 18,000!) to receive a 2009 GRAMMY Signature Schools Enterprise Award plus a grant of $5,000 for the music program. Hear our interview and a performance by the DSA Wind Symphony. (8:30)
March 19, 2009 - Brundibar (23:56) The children’s opera Brundibar was first performed in 1943 in the Terezin concentration camp. Of the 15,000 children who passed through this camp, only 132 survived. Ela Stein Weissberger is one of the few survivors and who had a leading part in those original productions.
In this excerpt from The Well-Tempered Wireless, Chris Felcyn talks with Ela Stein Weissberger and Suzanne Acton, the director of the MOT Children’s Chorus, prior to the Michigan Opera Theatre's production of Brundibar. You'll also hear six talented children from the MOT's Children's Chorus performing a song from the show.
March 4, 2009 Hannibal Lokumbe and Thomas Wilkins (19:54) Following a visit to the Detroit School of Arts for cross-departmental discussions with music students and children in other courses of study, composer Hannibal Lokumbe and conductor Thomas Wilkins stop by The Well-Tempered Wireless to discuss the music of William Grant Still and Lokumbe’s Dear Mrs. Parks, which the DSO will be recording for Naxos.
February 20, 2009 DSO COFFEE CONCERT When Dave and Chris broadcast live before and during the Detroit Symphony's morning coffee concerts, we meet lots of interesting foks, beginning with listeners like you who enjoy 90.9 FM. Here's a sampling of special guests during our February 2009 live broadcast.
Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos (13:22) Dave Wagner talks with the internationally accaimed conductor, who was in town to lead the DSO in a program of Beethoven and Strauss.
Wilbur Miller (5:31) Discover what's new at the Steinway Piano Gallery of Michigan!
Horacio Gutierrez (8:56) Recorded in the atrium of the Max Fisher Music Center immediately following his performance of the Beethoven 4th Piano Concerto with the DSO, Cuban born American pianist Horacio Gutierrez speaks with Chris Felcyn about his debut on one of Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts, the demands of the Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 and the rigors of the modern concert artist’s grueling schedule.
Leonard Slatkin (8:15) Maestro Slatkin discusses Spring Training, conductor apparel and the first full season he’s programmed as Music Director which kicks off in the Fall of this year.
02/5/09 James Conlon (13:10) Maestro Conlon discusses Mendelssohn’s youthful Symphony No. 1 and Mahler’s mature Das Lied von der Erde (Songs of the Earth) as he prepares them for concerts this weekend with the Detroit Symphony. Hear about Mahler’s fear of the 9th Symphony jinx, and the exciting prospect of new Mendelssohn scores now being discovered.
1/21/09 Marvin Hamlisch While in town to conduct a series of concerts with the DSO, Oscar/Grammy/Emmy/Tony/Pulitzer Prize winning composer Marvin Hamlisch stopped by to chat with Chris Felcyn on The Well-Tempered Wireless. Among other subjects, Mr. Hamlisch gives the backstory on how director George Roy Hill’s son played an important role in the Academy Award winning score to “The Sting.”
1/9/09 Leonard Slatkin As broadcast live from the atrium of the Max Fisher Music Center on January 9, 2009, Dave Wagner interviews maestro Leonard Slatkin minutes before a Friday morning coffee concert about the music on the program, as well as the Detroit Public Television series Making Music.
1/9/09 Fleck, Hussain and Meyer As broadcast live from the atrium of the Max Fisher Music Center on January 9, 2009, Chris Felcyn interviews bassist Edgar Meyer, tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain and banjoist Bela Fleck moments after they performed their Triple Concerto with the Detroit Symphony conducted by Leonard Slatkin.
1/9/09 Margaret Brouwer As broadcast live from the atrium of the Max Fisher Music Center on January 9, 2009, Chris Felcyn speaks with composer Margaret Brouwer minutes after the successful world premiere performance of her Rhapsody for Orchestra performed by the Detroit Symphony conducted by Leonard Slatkin.
10/30/08 Rachel Barton Pine Violinist Rachel Barton Pine’s latest CD offers a new performance of Beethoven’s violin concerto coupled with the world premiere recording of a violin concerto by Franz Clement, who was a collaborator on Ludwig’s concerto and the soloist at its premiere. In this segment from The Well-Tempered Wireless we contrast cadenzas to the Beethoven concerto from several prominent virtuosi and sample the finale to Clement’s concerto.
10/29/08 Leon Fleisher While he was in town for concerts with the DSO the highly respected pianist/conductor/educator and Kennedy Center Honoree Leon Fleisher popped in after rehearsal to talk with Chris Felcyn about the challenges of performing piano repertoire for the left hand alone, the joys of teaching and the recent reacquisition of the use of his right hand. Included are performances of Scriabin’s Nocturne for the Left Hand and J. S. Bach’s Sheep May Safely Graze (for both hands).
09/25/08 Sir James Galway Flutist Sir James Galway on The Well-Tempered Wireless, discussing his latest release with the Cuban group Tiempo Libre, O’Reilly Street. Sir James talks about the role of “crossover” in classical music and the challenges of Claude Bolling’s Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano.
09/11/08 Gil Shaham Violinist Gil Shaham on The Well-Tempered Wireless. Featured are Gil’s recollection of living in Manhattan on 9-11, as well as his blistering recording of Rossini’s famous Largo al Factotum.
09/02/08 Joshua Bell Violinist Joshua Bell on The Well-Tempered Wireless, discussing his new Sony recording of The Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi. Joshua also goes into the advantages of playing with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, which performs without a conductor.
06/19/08 Cleaver, Draughn and Grix On The Well-Tempered Wireless we hosted live performances by two professional harpists in the Detroit area, Lydia Cleaver and Maurice Draughn, each of whom received their early training from the DPS system at Cass Tech. Also appearing (though not playing) was harpist Christa Grix, chair of the American Harp Society's National Convention which convened the following week at the Hyatt in Dearborn.
06/17/08 Paul Katz The Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival has a number of lesser-known ancillary events in addition to the main schedule. Recently I had an opportunity to observe a Master Class given by Cellist Paul Katz , formerly with the Cleveland Quartet and now on the faculty of the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music. He was working on a Beethoven trio with the Trio Lunaire . This is a look "under the hood" of the collaborative process of chamber music as well as the age-old process of a master passing along knowledge to the next generation.
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July 22/23, 2010 - JoAnn Falletta and Chloe Hanslip
June 17, 2010 - Ramon Parcells
June 16, 2010 - 
June 16, 2010 - 
April 20, 2010 - HANS GRAF 
September 23, 2009 - Sharon Isbin
Violinist Midori stopped by to talk about her upcoming performance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. 
July 1, 2009 - David Alan Miller & Kisma Jordan