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.
Dr. Dave, thanks for your playing some Sibelius again today. It went very well with our toasted cheese sandwiches.
From a couple of Finns out here in Howell.
Rod and Carolyn Luoma
You’re welcome Rod and Carolyn. Are there any toasted cheese sandwiches left over?
Dr Dave–A day or two ago (Feb 17 or 18) you played Corelli’s variations on La Folia de Espana, and attributed the origin of the song to Corelli. While his version is probably the most frequently recorded today, the tune is much older. First published in 1577, 150 years before Corelli’s, and probably much older than that published version. Vivaldi wrote one, and snippets abound- a movement in a Handel sonata, a bit in Bach, all the way to the 20th century (Rachmaninoff).
Oh while I’m at it, Ravel’s Alborado del Grazioso’s title is Spanish, not Italian, so the Z in Grazioso is pronounced [th], not [tz]. You’re not alone in that error, but it’s annoying how just about every announcer gets it wrong. Be the first to be right!
Hi James, thank you for the info.
First: I love and support my WRCJ Classical station. Couldn’t live without it.
Question: Yesterday , ( Feb. 3) late afternoon, you played some little dance-like segment from Philip Picket New London Consort. The only part of the name I caught was somebody’s “Dig”. It is not listed in your schedule for the day. I would love to know what it was and what CD it was from. I hope you can find it for me. Thank you, Luba Kytasta
Thank you Luba! That sounds like “Tarleton’s Jig” by the New London Consort under Philip Pickett from this CD: https://www.discogs.com/release/3371183-New-London-Consort-Catherine-Bott-Michael-George-3-Directed-By-Philip-Pickett-Elizabethan-Jacobean-C
Hi, There was a song playing around 4:03 pm Monday, December 27, 2021. Can you tell me what it was? It was one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Thx.
Hello Royce, here are the pieces from about that time:
3:46pm Verdi, Giuseppe:“I vespri siciliani”: Overture
Serafin, Tullio
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
4:00pm Yoshimatsu, Takashi:“White Landscapes”, Op. 47a
Fujioka, Sachio
Manchester Camerata
4:10pm Kalman, Emmerich:Suite from “Countess Maritza”
Breitner, Tamas
Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra
Hello! There was an oboe concerto played between 8-10 am on 12/31/21. Could you tell me who the composer was? I was unable to find it in the playlists. Thanks!
Hi Jim, yes that was an Oboe Concerto by Christoph Forster. Here is the rest of the info:
Conductor: Christophe Poiget
Orchestra/Ensemble: La Follia
Soloists: Lajos Lencses – oboe
Hanssler 98217
Can you tell me what was playing this morning around 6:25 a.m.? You spoke about it afterwards – it was a German piece (perhaps the oldest German piece? if I remember correctly). It was beautiful!
Hi Kelly, that was probably “Es kommt ein Schiff” (Advent) composed by Georg Hugo Kurt Thomas, performed by the Ensembles Nobiles.
The Farmington Chorus
Presents a Holiday Concert
Peace on Earth
Two concert times: Friday December 17, 8PM
Saturday December 18, 4PM
The concert will be performed at the beautiful, newly
restored auditorium of
THE HAWK
29995 Twelve Mile Rd. (between Middlebelt and Orchard Lake Rd.
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Ticket info (248) 473-1850… or at the door
Could you please tell me the song that was in progress at 6:18 am this morning? Thank you.
Hi Gary, that would have been the end of Handel’s Concerto Grosso in G, Op. 6, No. 1 by the Academy of Saint Martin-in-the-Fields under Sir Neville Marriner, or the start of Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari’s Overture to “Susanna’s Secret” (“Il segreto di Susanna”) by the same performers.
Thanks Dave. Beautiful music. I’ve been listening to jazz forever and now I’m sort of just getting into classical. What amazes me is that all this beautiful music was written hundreds of years ago. Nice thing in the morning. Thank you.
at 6:21 am this morning you played Bach. I don’t remember the title, and would like to buy that particular recording. Today, is Wednesday 11/24 2021
Hi Leslie, sure that was with Christopher Parkening. Here is the CD: https://www.parkening.com/page/the-great-recordings-cd
Hi Dave, Jack, Charles Greenwell and all the other folks at RCJ.
A little remembrance, question and suggestion for you as 2021 Fall Fundraising takes place…
Did anyone record Dave’s final sign-off when QRS suffered its very untimely demise? I was working late, alone in my office at Troy High School, knowing what was coming and wondering how Dave would manage those last few minutes of Classical Music before the format change took place.
As I recall, this happened at 5 p.m. Dave was his always-on professional self as he bade that final farewell to the QRS audience; the last Classical piece (I cannot remember what the music was, though I’ve heard Dave speak about it once or twice over the years) faded out and something by Nine-Inch-Nails thumped into the QRS airspace.
The emotions that I felt are easy to remember but almost impossible to describe. The whole thing was overwhelming…I’m stricken by the power of the event all these years later.
If anyone has a recording of those last few minutes it might be worth sharing with the RCJ audience. I’m sure I’m not the only one listening now who heard it. The point could be made that nothing is permanent in this world and that the things we value must be supported and protected. That’s all I have to say except for a very sincere THANK YOU to all the folks who work at and support WRCJ.
I cannot imagine life without it!
Hello Hess, yes that certainly was an… interesting transition. Not sure if a recording of it exists, but maybe someone out there has one. Our hosts sometimes mention that dark period when there wasn’t a classical music station in Detroit just as a reminder that we need to support what we have and not take it for granted. We appreciate the note.
Greetings prior to relocating to the Seattle area 25 yrs ago we were longtime listeners to WQRS.Fond memories of the great music and genial hosts. We remember well a live performance at which a slim young Dave W. wasnot only the MC but soloist on the harmonium playing Dvorak’s
Baggatell. Warmest regard, also not so young nor slim ex-Detroiter, Jack H.
PS. Was that the mid-1980’s?
Hi Jack, thank you for the note. We’ve done our best to collect the WQRS folks to keep it going in spirit. Dr. Dave still does some local organ performances. And don’t feel bad, not many of us are slim or young any more. Do you still listen online from Seattle? Here is the link if you haven’t tried it. https://www.wrcjfm.org/listen-live/
A brass-only rendition of Romanian Rhapsody this morning? Who knew? Thank you, Empire Brass! Gosh, what an arrangement. Just. Brilliant.
I had no idea I shared a birthday with Enescu — a terrific present to hear this piece and to learn of this!
Thanks for always bringing fresh takes along with the traditional classics; I totally love you folks. Best regards to all.
Thank you and happy birthday Michael!
“Overture” from “Ruslan and Lyudmila” (opera) by Mikhail Glinka played around 8:15 is the theme to the CBS show “Mom”. Love it! Thanks for playing that.
Indeed it is Brian! Anna Faris would be proud.
Hi Dave,
As a long time listener I have thoroughly enjoyed your insights, wit and musical knowledge.
As I listened to your comments about the original Water Music performance, your unique point of view made my mind wander – I could hear you mentioning the King invented a new piece of technology: the “Auto Repeat”, so he could press a button and listen to the music for hours and hours.
Thanks for your wonderful inspiration.
Stu
I can’t express to all of the radio hosts at WRCJ enough how much being able to have access to WRCJ’s amazing music programming has been such an important part of my positive coping through the challenges of this past year’s pandemic. Having this be a consistent part of my day and life, when so many other things in the world have been turned upside down, has been very centering and soothing. Thank you for keeping the great music playing when so many other parts of life this past year have been stressful and so unpredictable! I am proud to support the station and I will certainly continue to do so!