Midday Music with Peter Whorf – 10a-3p Weekdays
Peter Whorf came home to Detroit in 2019 when he joined WRCJ as host of Midday Music. In a broadcasting career that has spanned three decades, Peter has hosted and produced music and news shows and held leadership positions at commercial and public radio stations across the country. These include WFMT and WBEZ in Chicago, WNYC in New York City and WXXI in Rochester, NY – where he earned his degree in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music. Peter has also served in managerial and on-air roles at the University of Missouri’s KBIA and as station manager at Michigan State University’s WKAR where his team earned the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Public Radio Station of the Year Award for 2018.
Musically, a lot has happened with Peter over the last couple years – he’s now a member of the Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra and has joined the string faculty at MSU’s Community Music School in Detroit.
Tune in weekdays at 10:00am to hear Peter play the hits – and share musical insights with some of the top artists in classical music today. Recent conversations have included interviews with Hilary Hahn, Alisa Weilerstein, Sharon Isbin, Nicola Benedetti, DSO President Anne Parsons, DSO Music Director Jader Bignamini and MOT President Wayne Brown. Peter has also spent some time with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Arts and Culture Director Rochelle Riley. And you’ll see Peter occasionally on Detroit Public Television’s One Detroit, where he serves as an arts and culture contributor. All WRCJ conversations can be heard here.
View Playlists for Midday Music.
I’m searching for the Paul McCartney “Oratorio”, the portion as played mid-day of recent, this for my grandaughter to try plinking on her piano – such a simple and beautiful composition. Thanks, Ron
Hi Ron, here is the album: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_McCartney%27s_Liverpool_Oratorio
If you search it on the internet you should be able to listen to excerpts or purchase a copy.
Hi! My mom is a musician who listens to WRCJ all the time. It just doesn’t seem like home if WRCJ isn’t on. Mom has ALS, and the radio is a wonderful distraction for her. Thank you!
Thank you for the nice note Jen, we are pleased to be a part of your home!
I feel equipped to pass Musicology 101 now that Peter Whorf has explained that Mozart was a forerunner of the Shickelean Era of Classical Music. Many aspects of my education are now coming together into a seamless playlist. In all seriousness, it makes perfect scents.
I miss Bird Note. Is it aired at a different time?
Hi Steve, when our hosts started broadcasting mostly remotely during the pandemic it became harder to include Bird Note. Maybe once we return to more normal operations the birds will return. Thanks for listening!
Hi Peter. I listen to WRCJ every day as part of my morning routine. Today, March 23rd, you played a Scottish tenor singing The Skye Boat Song, which was just hauntingly beautiful. Unfortunately I missed the name of this singer. I was wondering if you might tell me their name, so I can look into his music a bit more.
Thanks in advance, and please keep up your great work,
Joe in Dearborn
Hi Joe, yes we have a recording of Bryn Terfel doing the Skye Boat Song. He seems to be popular with our listeners, we think you’ll enjoy his stuff.
Hi!
I just thought of a dumb music history joke while listening to Leopoldo Mozart’s horn concerto on the way home this morning:
Q: Why did Mozart have to earn a living at such a young age?
A: Because his dad was baroque.
Sorry; it’s not the kind of joke I can just tell to anyone.
Haha, thank you for sharing David! It’s funny to us.
Thank you thank you for playing Chopin’s 1st Piano Concerto with Olga Kern and the Warsaw Philharmonic today. You made my day. And then to follow it with Guide Us O Thou Great Jehovah! Wonderfully eclectic. I love your show, particularly the historical anecdotes. I’ll be donating today. Thanks again.
You’re welcome Mary Lou, we’re pleased you enjoyed our choices today!
To Peter Whorf: I just listened to the Jenkins piece from the DiBeer’s Diamond commercial. Jack and I got married i8/16/ 1997 on the deck of The Roostertail, overlooking
the Detroit River. We invited our guests for a cocktail hour ahead of the ceremony. I chose Jenkin’s Diamond “concerto” music to be played while our guests sipped champagne. I love that piece and it was a slight homage to my husband’s Welsh ancestry. Thanks for playing on this cold and sunny day.
Warm Regards,
Barb Hughes
Hi Barb, happy to do so. Its nice you have such a wonderful memory to go with that piece. Thanks for listening and stay warm.
Dear Peter-
A week or so ago you played a piece from a recording by Serge Nakariakov, trumpet. I have tried to find a recording to purchase but have not been successful. Can you help? Details below.
Serge Nakariakov, trumpet
Teledec 94554
Thanks so much.
P.S. We are regulars. With you everyday. D
Hi David, the spine number indicates this album:
https://www.amazon.com/Carmen-Fantasie-Virtuoso-Sarasate-Paganini/dp/B0845Y9XB4
Might want to double check the piece you liked is on there. Thanks for tuning in each day!
The playlist for 12-1-20 seems to be incorrect. there was a version of Aldred Burt’s Christmas Bouquet played around 10.15 and its not listed. Can you tell me what the recording was?
Hi Paul, Dr, Dave added that in, it was the Boston Pops Orchestra under John Williams with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus on a SONY disc, spine number 48232.
Why isn’t there a play list for today ?
Hi Bill, it’s there, have a look here: https://www.wrcjfm.org/events/playlist-1118/
If you don’t see today’s playlist on the calendar sometimes, try refreshing the page.
Really enjoyed the capriccio for bassoon & piano with Bob Williams. Would enjoy hearing that again & others like it.
Thanks Fred, we’ll see what else we’ve got!
Looking for info on Claude DeBussy Three Nocturnes by Renaissance choir or contributors. 10/27/2020 played about 12:45 p.m. Order information please
Hi Dwight, sure, here is the CD: http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/Playlist?source=WRCJ&date=202010271232
A very warm welcome to you, Peter! I know my brother, Chris, would be delighted to see the direction you will take the midday offering. I wish you all the best, and know that good things are around the corner. How fortunate are the listeners in the Detroit area to have the talent and commitment from the WRCJ family to bring great music into their lives each day.