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.
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!