Unmasked

Home

Unmasked

SUNDAYS - NOON to 2 p.m. ET (occasional series) ON WRCJ 90.9 FM

Unmasked is an occasional series of "behind the scenes" visits with the men and women of Detroit area orchestras and opera companies. Hosted by 90.9 FM's Jimmy Rhoades, each episode begins with a nuts and bolts peek at the inner workings of classical music, Behind the Score. We follow that with myTunes, a chance to kick back with some of the best professional musicians in the business and their favorite CDs.

Unmasked is a production of WRCJ Detroit in cooperation with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Opera Theatre, Michigan Philharmonic, Dearborn Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, Windsor Symphony, and Detroit Public Schools, funded by The Kresge Foundation and Listeners Like You.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Unmasked episodes from 2009 and earlier, click here.

May 5, 2013 - Michigan Opera Theatre Unmasked

With "Aida" opening soon, the opera's conductor Steven Mercurio is here to talk about the production in Behind the Score. In myTunes, we have "Aida" cast members Riccardo Massi (tenor) and Angela Theis (soprano) to share some music with us.

Behind the Score

MyTunes

April 7, 2013 - Michigan Opera Theatre Unmasked

In hour one, conductor John Pascoe takes us through Beethoven's only opera, "Fidelio," running April 13 - 21, 2013 at the Detroit Opera House. In "myTunes" MOT orchestra principal trombonist Maury Okun present some great tunes!

Behind the Score

MyTunes

March 3, 2013 - Dearborn Symphony Unmasked

Jimmy talks with Kypros Markou, Music Director of the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra (and avid listener of WRCJ) about the stories behind some of the pieces he conducts. In the myTunes segment, Principle Clarinetist of the Dearborn Symphony, Lisa Raschiatore brings two stacks of CDs to listen to. One classical, one jazz. Perfect!

Behind the Score

myTunes

February 17, 2013 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra - Beethoven Festival Episode Three

DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin returns to discuss Beethoven's 9th Symphony, "The greatest symphonic work."

Behind the Score Part One

Behind the Score Part Two

February 10, 2013 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra - Beethoven Festival Episode Two

In this edition, DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin joins WRCJ's Jimmy Rhoades to explore Beethoven's symphonies # 1, 2, 6 & 7. Fascinating.

Behind the Score Part One

Behind the Score Part Two

February 3, 2013 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra - Beethoven Festival Episode One

The DSO is putting on a Beethoven Festival and will perform his nine symphonies, along with some of his other work. This is the first of three special programs which will explore the Beethoven Symphonies and to takes us through each is Music Director of the DSO, Leonard Slatkin.

Behind the Score Part One

Behind the Score Part Two

January 13, 2013 - Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra

To celebrate Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's birthday in "Behind The Score" we talk to music director and conductor of the Ann Arbor Symphony, Arie Lipski who is throwing his own Mozart Birthday Bash.

Then, for "myTunes", Ann Arbor Symphony trumpeter Bill Campbell chooses his favorite pieces.

Behind the Score

myTunes

November 18, 2012 - Windsor Symphony Orchestra

In "Behind the Score" Jimmy talks with Scott Speck, Music Director Candidate for The Windsor Symphony Orchestra who talks about the 1812 Overture which is celebrating its Bicentennial.

In "myTunes" we hear musical selections picked by Dr. Eric Van Der Veer Varner, principle bassonist for the Windsor Symphony Orchestra.

Behind the Score

myTunes

November 4, 2012 - Michigan Opera Theatre

Host Jimmy Rhoades explores the intricacies of baroque opera and Handel’s Julius Caesar with countertenor David Daniels and conductor Howard Arman. In the "myTunes" segment, Assistant Concert Master Laura Roelofs shares some of her favorite recordings.

Behind the Score

myTunes

October 7, 2012 - Michigan Opera Theatre

On this show's "Behind The Score" Mr. Rhoades talks with Suzanne Acton conductor and chorus master of The Michigan Opera Theatre which is opening it's season with "Barber Of Seville." On "myTunes" Joshua Glassman of the Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus shares his favorite tunes.

Behind the Score

myTunes

September 30, 2012 - Michigan Philharmonic

We welcome Michigan Philharmonic to the "Unmasked" series. In the first hour, Music Director Nan Washburn previews the 2012-2013 concert season. In Hour Two, the featured soloist for their first concert, guitarist Sharon Isbin, shares her favorite tunes with WRCJ's Jimmy Rhoades.

Behind the Score

myTunes

September 23, 2012 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra - Leonard Slatkin

In the first show of a new Unmasked season Chris talks with Leonard Slatkin about his new book "Conducting Business." Listen to him describe his musical heritage, why he wrote this book and how he began on the path of conducting. In the second hour, Jimmy Rhodes talks with David Buck who recently arrived in Detroit after being a principal flutist for The Los Angeles Philharmonic and The Oregon Symphony.

Behind the Score

myTunes

May 6, 2012 - Michigan Opera Theatre Unmasked - "I Pagliacci"

Conductor and composer Steven Mercurio is our guest for the entire two hours. In the first hour, Maestro Mercurio and our Jimmy Rhoades explore Leoncavallo's opera "I Pagliacci" running May 12 - 20 at the Detroit Opera House. In the second hour, Steven shares his favorite tunes.

Behind the Score

myTunes

April 22, 2012 - Michigan Opera Theatre Unmasked

In Behind The Score our host Jimmy Rhoades talks with Deborah Bersein-Siegel, who is an instructor from the Oakland University Department of Music, Theater and Dance, as well as the Board President of The Eisenhower Dance Ensemble. The myTunes portion features Laura Roelofs, assistant concertmaster of the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra, discussing her favorite music.

Behind the Score

myTunes

April 8, 2012 - Michigan Opera Theatre Unmasked - "The Pearl Fishers"

MOT Founder and General Director David DiChiera joins Jimmy to talk about the music and staging of Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers," running at the Detroit Opera House April 14 - 21, 2012. In the "My Tunes" hour, Jimmy welcomes Fred Buchalter, a veteran with the Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus, to share some of his favorite tunes.

Behind the Score

myTunes

February 19, 2012 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra Unmasked

Jerry Blackstone, director of the UMS Choral Union, takes us inside Johannes Brahms’ moving German Requiem in our Behind the Score segment. In the second hour, DSO Principal Librarian Robert Stiles takes us on an exclusive tour of the Detroit Symphony’s priceless collection of orchestral scores. Jimmy Rhoades hosts.

Behind the Score

myTunes

November 6, 2011 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra Unmasked

Sir James Galway is our special guest to swap quips with Jimmy Rhoades and share insight into "A Festival of Flutes," presented by the DSO November 17-20. In the second hour, DSO Acting Principal Flutist Sharon Sparrow recommends a few of her favorite recordings and artists.

Behind the Score

myTunes

November 6, 2011 - Michigan Opera Theatre Unmasked

Conductor Kazem Abdullah takes us "Behind the Score" of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro running November 12 - 20 at the Detroit Opera House. In the second hour, bass vocalist and member of MOT Chorus, Marko Farion, shares his favorite tunes.

Behind the Score

myTunes

October 9, 2011 - Michigan Opera Theatre Unmasked

Our Behind the Score guest is MOT Chorus Master Suzanne Acton, who will be conducting themultimedia staging of Orff's Carmina Burana coming to the Detroit Opera House, October 13 - 23. In the myTunes segment Jimmy Rhoades meets Brian Leduc, a member of the MOT Chorus with tastes ranging from grand opera to Queen.

Behind the Score

myTunes

October 2, 2011 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra Unmasked

In the first hour, DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin talks about the challenges and logistics of putting together a new orchestral season. In "My Tunes," DSO Acting Concertmaster Kim Kennedy shares her favorite tunes and as well as stories about life on stage.

Behind the Score

myTunes

May 8, 2011 - Rigoletto

In “Behind the Score,” conductor Stephen Mercurio joins Jimmy Rhoades in savoring the delights of Verdi’s "Rigoletto," with tasty diversions about Saturday Night Live and Sting’s concert tour along the way. In the second half, veteran MOT flutist Laura Larson shares favorite recordings from her Cass Tech days, other flutists and a Wagnerian finale. Michigan Opera Theatre's production of "Rigoletto" runs May 14 - 22.

Behind the Score

myTunes

April 3, 2011 - The Magic Flute

In "Behind the Score," Jimmy Rhoades and conductor Stephen Lord discuss Mozart's comic opera. Michigan Opera Theatre's production of "The Magic Flute" runs April 9 - 17. In MyTunes, tenor David Miller shares his favorite music and... it's good.

Behind the Score

myTunes

November 7, 2010 - La Boheme

In Hour One, Jimmy Rhoades and Dr. Wallace Peace explore the music and history of Puccini's beloved opera. Dr. Peace is famous for his pre-opera talks at the Detroit Opera House. Michigan Opera Theatre's production of "La Boheme" ran November 13 - 21, 2010.

Behind the Score

In the MyTunes segment, MOT orchestra violinist Beth Kirton (right), shares her musical favorites.

myTunes

October 10, 2010 - The Mikado

In the first hour of the season premiere of "MOT Unmasked," Conductor Mark Flint discusses the upcoming production of "The Mikado," Gilbert and Sullivan's enduringly popular satire.

Behind the Score

In the second hour, MOT orchestra Principal Trumpet David Ammer shares his favorite tunes.

myTunes

May 9, 2010 - Tosca

Learn more about one of the world's most popular operas - Giacomo Puccini's Tosca - as Dr. Wallace Peace explains it to WRCJ's Jimmy Rhoades.

Behind the Score

In the second hour, Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra bassist Derek Weller shares some of his favorite recordings.

myTunes

April 11, 2010 - Don Giovanni

Michigan Opera Theatre musicologist Wallace Peace breaks down the tale of Don Juan in a very entertaining style, with a humorous assist from "Unmasked" host Jimmy Rhoades. You've got to hear this!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

February 28, 2010 - Sir Neville Marriner and Alexander Hanna

In the first hour, Sir Neville Marriner talks with Jimmy Rhoades about English Music and much more.

Behind the Score

In the second hour, Alexander Hanna, principal bassist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, shares his favorite recordings. Listen for excellent cello and bass performances!

myTunes

January 24, 2010 - DSO Unmasked - Classical Roots

In the first hour, meet composer and musician Billy Childs. His Violin Concerto will be given its world premiere by the DSO with Detroit native and award-winning violinist Regina Carter. The work will be one of three compositions by contemporary African-American composers to be performed at the DSO’s “Classical Roots” concerts beginning Jan. 29

Behind the Score

In the second hour, host Jimmy Rhoades has an intimate conversation with legendary Detroit choral conductor (and former DPS music teacher) Brazeal Dennard. Mr. Dennard reflects on his career with musical selections featuring The Brazeal Dennard Chorale.

myTunes

For Unmasked episodes from 2009 and earlier, click here.

Main Menu

On Demand Shows

SUNDAYS - NOON to 2 p.m. ET (occasional series) ON WRCJ 90.9 FM