The Morning Show 6-10a Monday – Friday
Dr. Dave’s Drive Time Elixir 3-7p Monday – Friday
WRCJ’s Program Director, Dr. Dave Wagner, is a lifelong Detroiter and well-known as an organist, pianist and music educator. He brings his vast musical knowledge and wry sense of humor to our morning airwaves with traffic and weather updates and his famous 7:15a “Sousalarm.” He returns weekday afternoons to ease your drive home with a mix of lighter classics and orchestrated popular tunes.
Hi Dr. Dave, love the show. Can you tell me what the name of the Veracini piece was that played 12/1/20 between 4:00-5:00pm?
Yes, that was Francesco Maria Veracini’s “Ouverture” (Suite) No. 5 in B flat performed by the Musica Antiqua Cologne under Reinhard Goebel.
Hi, Doctor Dave – been listening to you and enjoying the classical music programming for years, going back to the days of WQRS, when I occasionally filled in for Pat McElroy. It was hard tuning in anything of worth during the gap between WQRS being sold off and WRCJ starting up. Matter of fact, it was downright depressing. Anyway, thankfully, you’re back on the air now with the old gang, including Carl Grapentine!!! and the very welcome addition of the knowledgeable Peter Whorf. Anyway, I thought I should advise you of the huge deception being practiced on the listening public by musicologists wishing to protect the heritage of classical music and their own careers. First, Carl Orff retitled “Carmina Burana” and promoted it as his own. It’s actually “Carmina Banana” and tells the story of a band of monks who were celebrating their excitement in having just discovered bananas, first the gustatory delight, then the fighting that broke out when they were down to their last bunch. As for the Borodin selection, yes, all that wonderful music was transformed into the wonderful Broadway offering of “Kismet”, but one of the big songs started out simply as “Take my hand, I am strange”. The composing team, however, couldn’t sell the show based on that idea so they rewrote the whole thing to be more palatable for the typical musical comedy audience. My, my, how far we’ve come with “La Cage au Folles”. And these accounts must be true – I got it all from McElroy himself, may he rest in peace.
Thanks Craig, sending to Dr. Dave…
Hello Dave,
I love the drive time music.
Can you tell me please what piece you played around
4;45 Wednesday, conductor Peter Hallman?
I heard “Dillon Voice” as the name of the composer but
there is no such person. I think it was Sonata in D major.
Please advise. Thanks so much,
Wendy
Hello Wendy, that sounds like William Boyce’s Trio Sonata No 5 in D by the Parley of Instruments Baroque Orchestra members conducted by Peter Holman.
What is the full title and artist for the song you played: November 2nd btw 4:00 – 4:30 pm? The title was something about the Amazon.
It was beautiful. Thank you.
Hello Robert, we didn’t see anything with “Amazon” but here are the pieces from around that time:
4:00pmSmetana, Bedrich:“The Moldau” (“Vltava”) from “My Country” (“Ma Vlast”)
CBS:36716
Szell, George
Cleveland Orchestra
4:13pmBarrios, Agustin:“Julia Florida”
TELDEC:19899
4:19pmMonteverdi, Claudio:“Laudate Dominum” & Hymn
OPENING DAY:7347
Canadian Brass Ensemble
4:26pmKreisler, Fritz:“Liebesfreud” (transcribed by Sergei Rachmaninoff for solo piano)
DECCA:470291
4:33pmMozart, Wolfgang Amadeus:Serenade No. 10 in B Flat, K 361 “Gran Partita”: IV. Menuetto-Trio I/II
KOCH:7687
Reynolds, H. Robert
Detroit Chamber Winds
Hello, I’m looking for the name of the song that was playing at 7:00 pm on October 20(today). I didn’t catch anything that was said before the song was played, I just tuned in around that time and I loved it!! Would love to find it. Thanks!
Hello Kaniya, Dr.Dave might have been running a little late with his show so here are the last couple pieces he played:
“Londonderry Air” (for guitar)
Traditional (arranged by Toru Takemitsu)
TELDEC:25736
Gymnopedie No. 3
Satie, Erik
SONY CLASSICAL:64537
Brieff, Frank
Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Variations on “America” (for organ)
Ives, Charles
REFERENCE RECORDINGS:113
HI Dave, I like the way your faith is evident obvious without being obtrusive. You never are in a bad humor and brighten the day.
Thank you Richard, Dr. Dave does his best.
Hi Dr. – I love your show; but todays homage to the Taco Bell Canon is driving me crazy. promise not to do the same thing for ‘In a Monastery Garden’.
Oh dear, there goes that idea 🙁
Hi Dr. Dave, I was listening Monday morning, August 31. First of all, it was a wonderful tribute to the Covid families for their loved ones. I was in the car after 9 am when you played a lovely choral piece and had to get out of the car before I could hear what it was. It was right before the Brahms How Lovely. I don’t see the playlist online, so would love to know what that piece was.
Hello Marilyn, yes that was “Bridge Over Troubled Water” as done by the King’s Singers. Thank you for listening to our memorial.
Thanks…I was in the car and was so sure they were women’s voices. Can you check again? Also orchestral accompaniment. Sounded sacred in nature.
Sure, here are all the pieces from around that time. Perhaps it was “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”.
8:40am Gabriel, Charles H.: His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Norman, Jessye
8:45am —-The Bells Of Westminister Abbey ringing—-
8:52am Simon, Paul: Bridge Over Troubled Water
King’s Singers
9:00am Brahms, Johannes: “Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen…” (“How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings”) from “A German Requiem”
Robert Shaw Chorale & Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
9:17am Williams, Clifton: The Sinfonians
Quick, Edward
Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts Wind Symphony
9:25am Dorsey, Thomas: Precious Lord
Franklin, Aretha
Unforgetable song playing now
Did you now that it was created FIRST as a commercial for Ford Thunderbird when the T-Bird was reintroduced. J Walter Thompson of Detroit created the commerical and had a tough time convincing Natalie to do it. She wanted no part, but finally was convinced. The song was originally mixed for the TV spot and she eventually did a full length version.
Thanks for the extra info Daniel.
Hello, I’m looking for the name of the song that was playing at 4:45 pm on August 27 (today). I didn’t catch anything that was said before the song was played, I just tuned in around that time and I loved it!! Would love to find it. Thanks!
Hi Jessica, sure here are all the pieces from around that time:
4:33pmThe Doors:“Spanish Caravan” (for violin and orchestra)
DECCA:467350
Scholes, Peter
Prague Symphony Orchestra
4:41pmLunn, John:“Downton Abbey”: Two Sisters
DECCA:B0024411
King, Alastair
Chamber Orchestra of London
4:44pmSusato, Tielman:Pavana: “La Battaglia”
COVIELLO:91602
Capella de la Torre
4:46pmBorodin, Alexander:“In the Steppes of Central Asia”
DG:435757
Järvi, Neeme
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Hi Dave! Greetings from Metro Boston… and from a former WQRS listener!!! 😀
Today (Wed 26-Aug-2020) around 4:53 pm you played a TV theme (I won’t give it away) that you said was arranged in the style of some composer.
What was that name you gave? I’d like to learn more about them.
Personally, I felt there were some nods to Philip Glass in this arrangement.
Thanks for your great hosting!
Hi Michael, nice picture! That piece was in the style of Alan Hovhaness. Here is the cd if you want to look: http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/Playlist?source=WRCJ&date=202008261641
Any chance we’ll ever get to hear Dr. Dave play at the Redford theatre?
Possibly, but probably not until covid subsides.
Wonderful to hear Joly Braga Santos’ Symphony 5 this morning! There is a lot of twentieth century work we don’t hear often enough. I’d be happy to hear more, especially of intense and dramatic work like this. (The minimalists don’t do much for me.)
Hi Robert, thanks for the feedback, we try some different things to see what the listeners might like.
Well, since you asked … I’d be glad to hear Malipiero or Busoni or Verdi or Monteverdi. There’s a lot of early music that I would be glad to hear, as well as baroque and twentieth century music. Perhaps next Hiroshima Day, we should hear Penderecki’s threnody.
I wouldn’t mind if I never hear Korngold again, and I am definitely not interested in Cole Porter or Scott Joplin during the ‘classical’ part of the day. If that’s classical, I’d rather hear Duke Ellington or Miles Davis or Art Blakey, but that’s what 7 PM and after is for.
Can you tell me the piece that was on your morning show today Tues. 8/4? I turned on the radio about a little after 6 and was put in a good morning mode by the gentle sound of a piece that had guitar in it. Checked the playlist and did not see anything for that early unless it was the Rossini piece?
Hello Carine, that was probably the Ludovico Einaudi piece “Due Tramonti” performed by Craig Ogden on guitar with Lyric Strings.
Mr. Wagner,
Do you recall the segment called “ Mr. Music!” ?
Those were so funny. Is their a collection of those anywhere? I hope so. They were just a fun moment on the station.
Thank you,
JJF. , Mt Clemens
Hi John, we don’t have any of the WQRS archives unfortunately. Unless Dr. Dave still has a couple somewhere or a listener collected them, they might be lost to time…
Hi. Someone played an amazing song with drums and horns around 7:15 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020. There was a comment about Dizzie Gillespie and Earth, Wind & Fire, but a subsequent search for them recording together proved fruitless
The song was mind blowing … But I never caught the name or artist. Please help!
Maxine says “Opening the show with Earth, Wind & Fire – Sun Goddess and up next Trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie & Jon Faddis – Manteca. Special thank you to Gretchen — we do love mind blowing!”
Dr. Dave, I was listening this morning and about 8:45 you mentioned ‘tears of joy.’ Of course I can’t remember the context but you said you were experiencing tears of joy right now and I detected something serious in your life, and send you blessings. The relationships we develop with our favourite radio hosts is interesting. Suddenly I felt a little teary myself!
Thank you for so many wonderful listening hours. We’re so fortunate to get WRCJ in Sarnia.
Hi Susan, thank you! That’s what we hope for, strongly connecting to our listeners. We are more than happy to provide the hours of music. Thanks for listening from Sarnia!
Was listening to your program this morning – 7/16/2020 – on my ride into the office. You played the Dorati & the DSO/Dvorak Prague Waltzes. You described the copy you had that’s on vinyl. I have the same record though mine’s on the London label and not Decca. Either way the maestro does look as if he’s looking at someone and giving a chuckle at someone who’s likely juggling there off camera 😉
Am actually giving the Lp a spin right now. Love his command of the DSO and their interpretation of the Czech Suite. Sounds very Ludwig Van Sym. no. 5 influenced.
What else can you recommend from this orchestral line up?
Cheers,
Ken
Hi Ken, we’ll check with the experts…
Well , Mr. Music. Tried on and off today to find a way to connect with you to send you birthday greetings since I no longer do cakes with radio towers on them. Hope you are enjoying yours my friend. ( Birthday not cake.) Never more comforting than these times to hear YOUR voice playing favorite musical selections on WRCJ! Happy Birthday and Thank You!
Hi, we’ve passed your birthday wishes along to Dr. Dave, thanks!
Percy Grainger spent several summers at Interlochen…
Dr. Dave! Did I ever tell you how much we appreciate you?
Thanks Bob, we appreciate you!
Ironic. Tones of the song “Born Free” while we are on lockdown.
You will once again roam the wide open spaces. Hang in there Mr. Gator!
Dr Dave,
Thank you for playing “God Bless America”. We need it. – how about every day!
Sue
Thanks Sue! Every day? We don’t want you to get tired of it. Maybe just occasionally.
Dr. Dave, I enjoyed your selection from the soundtrack of “Born On the Fourth of July”, but before & after you stated that the flick starred Tom Hanks. The coming-of-conscience film actually starred Tom Cruise. I love your show & always look forward to indulging my audio elixir!
Oh darn it, wrong Thomas! Mistakes were made…
I remember well how NBC Nightly News used to use the opening of the second movement of Beethoven’s 9th as its closing credits during the late 60s. The news was often bad in those days but Beethoven’s hopeful notes would ring @the end of every broadcast. I remember bursting into tears when I heard those strains on the day that Robert F Kennedy died (so soon after the assassination of Dr.King). I was a senior in high school on the first Earth Day 50 years ago. The Cambodian invasion & the Kent & Jackson State killings were soon to come. Dave, I’m glad you played that movement of Beethoven’s 9th this morning . I am @ the edge of old age & we need Beethoven more than ever in this present unprecedented crisis. & yes, I am crying!
Difficult times. Good thing they didn’t ruin Beethoven’s 9th for you. Happier times will come again. Hang in there and stay healthy. Oh and Happy Earth Day!
Thanks so much for always helping us start our day on a harmonious note.
Especially now, the wide variety of music you provide has helped us stay sane and uplifted during these uncertain times.
Rock on.
Thank you Corinna and Roger. Stay sane and healthy!
Mayor Cuomo? It’s Mayor de Blasio, Governor Cuomo. I’m a listener in Queens, so I ought to know!
Uh oh, sorry for the slip up. We appreciate you listening from New York. Sorry it’s hitting so hard out there.
Hi Dave and all the WRCJ crew.
Brilliant that you can do this from your home. I totally enjoy. I am on lock down in Spain
and looks like I will stay here until the coast is clear. Listening to WRCJ is that connection, no matter where you are for a Detroiter. Best wishes to you and your family, including the dogs, and all that work for WRCJ…..
Hi Brad, thanks, we just had to make some changes. Sorry you’re in lockdown. We are thankful we can still operate, while so many others cannot. Good luck to you in Spain.
DEAR DAVE…. i know the virus mess is NOT over BUT I WAS SO RELIEVED TO HEAR YOU VOICE THIS AM…
I HAVE said many times, WRCJ is on 24 hours a day in ALL devices throughout my house/car, wherever i am WRCJ is THERE and when i heard your voice I THOUGHT heaven was talking to me.
maybe it is VIRUS mania, but i truly mean it.
BE SAFE and thank you…
THANK YOU … i look forward to Peter and Jack – all our people… you all have brought me through troubling times… and here you are doing it again …. for what its worth i am a sustainer…
Hi Lynn, we are glad to be back. Please enjoy and be well. And thanks for sustaining!
Good to have Dr. Dave back on the air
Thanks David, we just had to make some adjustments.
I used to love Dave Wagner and Jack Goggin. I drove back and forth on I-94 to work and home a million times listing to their show. I don’t know if it was Dave or Jack who used to introduce Giuseppe Verdi music by saying, ” . . . and now, a violin concerto by Joe Green.” Cracked me up every time. I believe he also worked at a little record shop on Woodward in Royal Oak for a time as the expert of classical music. I used to get a song in my head and go down to that shop to ask him what song that was. I would hum a few bars and voila! He would produce the recording for me to buy. I am a violinist now living in Seattle. Those were good days!! Thank you David Wagner and Jack Goggin.
Hi Martha, the Joe Green comment sounds like something Dr. Dave would say and Jack used to work at Harmony House. He is quite knowledgeable and could definitely identify a piece for you. Glad we could be the soundtrack to your commute. If you still want to listen to the station you can listen online:
https://www.wrcjfm.org/listen-live/ or on our phone app. Just look for WRCJ in the Apple or Google Play store. Good luck with your music!
I am wondering when Dr. Dave began broadcasting on WQRS. He primarily, but also Jack Goggin (and recently, again, to my delight, Carl Grapentine) have been an important part of my life for many, many years. I would like to know just how many that would be!
Hi Elaine, Dr. Dave did some part time work at WQRS earlier in the 70’s then left to pursue his doctorate. Jack said he started January of 1979 and then Dr. Dave returned a bit after that and began full time.
I am glad you finally mentioned the vernal equinox this morning, though it is not techincally the first day of spring, just the popular notion. The vernal equinox and the first day of spring are two entirely different dates 3 weeks apart. March 1 is the first day of meteorolical spring. So also with other three seasons which begin on the first of the month but usually associated with the solar cycle. Your show is so with good with accurate info about the programming that I thought you might want to make this clarification about spring.
Thank you Ed, good thing the Music Director didn’t program all those Spring pieces he was thinking about!
I was a listener when you were on WOMC when driving back and forth for work. Now in retirement, we are constant listeners now on WRCJ. I have a specific question from my wife, Dorothy. She is concerned with you working a split shift. She asks, “Do you go home between shifts?” “Do you live nearby to the station?” She is worried about you.
Hi Fred and Dorothy, thanks for tuning in each day. Don’t worry about Dr. Dave, we give him some days off here and there. And as long as we change his batteries every so often he’s fine.
I just wanted to say, again; to hear Carl G. back on the mic. Not to take anything away from Dave or Davis or Ron or Peter and all. Your all with us 365(6) days a year. But with Carl we have history. Starting in 1973 when we moved to Michigan. WQRS, wonderful classical commentary, Copland’s Fanfare, the sinking of the Edmond Fitzgerald, etc. His way with words. Who else can turn the station ID, the weather, and the calendar into a professional lecture! Great to hear you again even if it’s only once in a while.
Thank you Dave, we would utilize Carl more often but he is semi-retired! Or maybe just tired.
An additional Thank You to Jack Goggin for Leontovych’s birthday, and for all the years he shared his love and knowledge of music, since the WQRS days to the present. I remember calling him during his night program, pestering him about some mysterious piece he played, persecuting him at the old Harmony House, requesting things, from some unknown early music consorts, to ballet videos . or simply asking for advice. He always came through. God bless you Jack, with health and happiness for many years to come. Merry Christmas and a Great New Year1 from grateful Luba Kytasta
Ha ha, yep that’s Jack. Didn’t know you two had met before. We’ll send this along to him. Merry Christmas!
what is the cello interlude that is played at the conclusion of your afternoonshow?
Hello Donald, Dr. Dave’s closing music is J.S. Bach’s Solo Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major (BWV 1009) – Bourrees performed by Charles Curtis on the tableau from the album “An Imaginary Dance”. You can take a look at that cd here: http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Imaginary-Dance-Charles-Curtis/dp/B004TB6G3Q