Classical Conversations
Episodes
Miro Quartet: Hearth
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mary Claire Murphy welcomes Josh Gindele of the Miro Quartet to Classical Conversations for a celebration of the holiday album Hearth, a rich and vari...
Stephen Emmer: Mt. Mundane
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In his concept album, Mt. Mundane, composer Stephen Emmer invites us to leave the banal behind. He elaborates, in conversation with Mary Claire Murphy...
Nicholas Goluses: Across the Horizon
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Master guitarist and educator Nicholas Goluses joins WGTE for a conversation about his album, "Across the Horizon." In addition to his formidable solo...
Miguel del Aguila: Torrential Raindance
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Uruguayan-American composer and pianist Miguel del Aguila presents the album Torrential Raindance as a colorful showcase of lyrical themes blended wit...
Bill Neri: American Mirror
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Violist Bill Neri speaks on his work at the Sphinx Organization and overviews the album American Mirror, recorded by the organization's self-conducted...
Neave Trio: La Mer
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Violinist Anna Williams and pianist Eri Nakamura relay the latest with the Neave Trio, including a new album of French works for piano trio.
Tamar Sagiv: Shades of Mourning
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cellist Tamar Sagiv makes her debut on Sono Luminus with a poignant reflection on personal loss, collective grief, and enduring hope.
Matthew Detrick: Stories of Censorship
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Violinist Matthew Detrick introduces us to an array of new commissions by the Apollo Chamber Players for the album Ban: Stories of Censorship. https:...
Avi Avital: Song of the Birds
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the release of the album Song of the Birds, mandolinist Avi Avital joins the Between Worlds Ensemble in a vibrant celebration of folk traditions ...
Austin Wulliman: Escape Rites
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Violinist, composer and educator Austin Wulliman talks about his latest album (Escape Rites) of music written for - and inspired by - the Jack Quartet...
Will Liverman: The Dunbar/Moore Sessions
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Baritone and pianist Will Liverman returns to Classical Conversations with Mary Claire Murphy, this time sharing his newly adopted composer’s perspe...
Dr. Chaerin Kim
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We checked in with Dr. Chaerin Kim to hear about her extraordinary experience performing as an instrumental soloist—playing two different instrument...
Ashley Jackson: Take Me To The Water
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Through the album Take Me To The Water, harpist Ashley Jackson fuses traditional classical music with the rich heritage of Black spirituality. She cel...
Andrew Crust and The American Sound
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lima Symphony Music Director Andrew Crust talks about the last LSO concert of the season, "Gershwin and The American Sound."
BTT: Alice in Wonderland
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ballet Theatre of Toledo presents "Alice in Wonderland." Artistic Director Nigel Burgoine and composer David Jex preview the timeless story which come...
Peter Gregson: Songs Without Words
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cellist Peter Gregson showcases his signature cello and synthesizer sound in his self-titled portrait album of nine modern songs without words. Learn ...
Lei Liang: Dui
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Composer and scholar Lei Liang speaks with Mary Claire Murphy on his album Dui, which he describes as “the ultimate tribute to the past and present ...
John Mauceri: The Korngold Symphony
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Supertrain Records has released Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Symphony in F# in an archival piano recording by the composer himself and in a 1997 live c...
Theo Hoffman: Schubert and The Beatles
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Baritone Theo Hoffman implements a “pop bel canto” approach to his program of songs by Schubert and The Beatles, underscoring core similarities be...
María Dueñas: Paganini Caprices
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Violinist María Dueñas explores capricious works by Nicolo Paganini and his successors, including Fritz Kreisler, Henryk Wieniawski, Jordi Cervello,...
Composer Cliff Eidelman: The Tempest and More
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this Classical Conversation, Mary Claire Murphy asks composer Cliff Eidelman about the behind-the-scenes of his creative process for film scoring. ...
Rick Steves: A Symphonic Journey
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
WGTE's Mary Claire Murphy and Logan Cooney sit down with Rick Steves as he visits Toledo, Ohio on his "A Symphonic Journey" tour.
Dr. Chaerin Kim: Rendezvous in Performance
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Chaerin Kim returns to FM 91 to talk about the European premiere of her signature work as a composer, Rendezvous, which she conducts in this video...
Christopher Allen: Fourth Wall Ensemble
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The emerging Fourth Wall Ensemble, founded in 2023, has made a splash in its first year with a double album release, including Awake, with music by Sa...
Liam Teague: Paganini of the Steel Pan
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Percussion guru Rob Desmond and Development guru (and percussionist) Dave Gierke talk with WGTE's Mary Claire Murphy and Brad Cresswell about the Stee...
Ray Chen: Player 1
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Violinist Ray Chen collaborated with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Cristian Macelaru to release Player 1, an album replete with nosta...
Stathis Karapanos: Hindemith and the Flute
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation with WGTE's Mary Claire Murphy, Stathis Karapanos speaks on the often-misunderstood musical language of Paul Hindemith and introd...
Andrew Crust and the LSO
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lima Symphony Orchestra Music Director Andrew Crust joins us for a chat about the LSO's new season and their October 19th season opener. Explore the ...
Organist Gail Archer
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Organist Gail Archer discusses her research on equity in the workplace for women organists and introduces us to the variety of programs scheduled for ...
Karen Slack: Beyond the Years
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Soprano Karen Slack and pianist Michelle Cann have collaborated with ONEcomposer to present the album Beyond the Years, featuring 19 unpublished art s...
Gil Rose: BMOP and Beyond
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Conductor Gil Rose founded the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP) over 100 albums ago; he joins us for a conversation about the orchestra and thei...
Mary Elizabeth Bowden: Storyteller
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Trumpet virtuoso Mary Elizabeth Bowden furthers her mission to build the contemporary trumpet repertoire with an album of story-telling concertos, and...
❤ Your Neighbor
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the polarizing political season in full swing, it's important to remember that despite our differences, we're still neighbors and should treat ea...
Robert Kyr: Earth Vigil
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Composer Robert Kyr provides an immersive experience of nature through several environmentally themed oratorios and choral dramas, including A Time fo...
Glenn Miller: The Octavist
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Octavist Glenn Miller speaks to Mary Claire Murphy on Sergei Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil, as arranged for men’s choir and recorded in Jerusalem...
Scott Wollschleger: Between Breath
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Composer Scott Wollschleger talks about his new album from New Focus Recordings called Between Breath. The album contains four works for different duo...
Norman Krieger Plays Gershwin
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrate the centennial of the “Rhapsody in Blue” with the album Norman Krieger Plays Gershwin. Norman joins Mary Claire Murphy on Classical Conv...
Chad Lawson: Where We Are
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this Classical Conversation with Mary Claire Murphy, pianist/composer Chad Lawson speaks on his meditative approach to music composition and invite...
Elizabeth Chang: Sonatas and Myths
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Violinist Elizabeth Chang speaks to Mary Claire Murphy about her unique album Sonatas and Myths, featuring seminal works by early 20th century compose...
Sophia Jani: Poet of the Violin
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In her poetic Six Pieces for Solo Violin, composer Sophia Jani unfolds a series of targeted techniques to celebrate the solo violin and its place as a...
Project Earth: The Blue Chapter
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Through their album, Project Earth: The Blue Chapter, the Iris Trio takes a multi-disciplinary approach to celebrate the environment and the beauty of...
Ragtime Roundtable
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're joined by two members of the cast and two of the creatives behind Toledo Opera's production of Ragtime. Soprano Raquel Suarez Groen (Mother) and...
Organist Paul Jacobs Returns to Toledo
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Grammy Award-winning organist Paul Jacobs is helping the King of Instruments retake its rightful place in classical music. The acclaimed musician join...
Dr. Chaerin Kim: Rendezvous
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Chaerin Kim joins us to talk about her substantial career as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, conductor and professor, and gives advice for youn...
Jessica Meyer: I Long and Seek After
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In her sophomore album, "I Long and Seek After," violist and composer Jessica Meyer contemplates the question, "Am I doing all that I am supposed to b...
BTT: The Great Pancake Escape
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ballet Theater of Toledo's Artistic Director Nigel Burgoine and composer David Jex talk about their collaboration "The Great Pancake Escape" - which f...
ADJ•ective New Music: The Orchestra's Guide to the Galaxy
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Composers Jamie Leigh Sampson and Andrew Martin Smith stop by the studio to talk about their composer collective ADJ•ective New Music and their proj...
Marina Arsenijevic: Chopin Obsession
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pianist and composer Marina Arsenijevic (arson-nee-vitch) offers a Valentine tribute to Frédéric Chopin with her album Chopin Obsession, and she spe...
American Counterpoints
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Violinist Curtis Stewart, conductor James Blachly, and the Experiential Orchestra invite us into a musical dialogue with Julia Perry and Coleridge-Tay...
Peter Boyer: Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Composer Peter Boyer speaks with Mary Claire Murphy on his celebratory "Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue," commissioned by pianist Jeffrey Biegel for ...
Kellen Gray: African American Voices II
27 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
American born, Scotland based conductor Kellen Gray chats about the second album in his African American Voices series from Linn Records. Re-teaming w...
William Susman: Quiet Rhythms
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In his latest album, William Susman performs selections from his monumental piano series, Quiet Rhythms. The acclaimed pianist/composer speaks with Ma...
Eric Otto & Heather Pooley talk Nutcracker
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Toledo Ballet's Artistic Director Eric Otto and Wardrobe Supervisor Heather Pooley talk about the 83rd annual Nutcracker happening December 9th and 10...
Miloš Karadaglić: Baroque
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Superstar Classical Guitarist Miloš Karadaglić talks about his new album Baroque, and how the music on the album is intimately intertwined with his ...
A Night Before Christmas - at the Museum!
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Nigel Burgoine and David Jex discuss their new ballet (scenario by Nigel, music by David) which receives its world premiere from Ballet Theatre of Tol...
Brandon Patrick George: Twofold
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this Zoom conversation with WGTE's Mary Claire Murphy, Grammy®-nominated flutist Brandon Patrick George talks about his new album TWOFOLD from In ...
Plínio Fernandes: Bacheando
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Plínio Fernandes explores the enduring genius of J.S. Bach in his latest album from Orchid Classics, Bacheando. The Brazilian guitarist joins WGTE's ...
Rachel Barton Pine and Earl Maneein
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Classical violinist Rachel Barton Pine has a secret. Well, not really a secret, especially after her recently-recorded collaboration with heavy metal ...
Carlos Simon: Together
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pianist and composer Carlos Simon grew up in a religious household, surrounded by hymns and a musical culture that has had a profound influence on his...
Violinist Randall Goosby: Max Bruch and Florence Price Concertos
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Randall Goosby brings his outstanding reputation as a solo violinist and arts advocate for diversity to bear in his second album for Decca Classics, w...
Alexandra Stréliski: Néo-Romance
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pianist and composer Alexandra Stréliski talks about her new album, Néo-Romance, the followup to her platinum-selling album Inscape. Intrigued by th...
Maya Beiser: Infinite Bach
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Modern music specialist Maya Beiser (cellist, producer, multi-media artist and more) records — for the first time — one of the pinnacles of the ce...
Matt Wedel: Phenomenal Debris
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Artist Matt Wedel joins WGTE's Brad Cresswell and Mary Claire Murphy for a discussion surrounding his exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art, entitled "P...
Rachel Barton Pine: Celebrating Black Composers
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Toledoans may remember superstar violinist Rachel Barton Pine's appearance with the Toledo Symphony a couple of seasons ago. Now, to mark the 25th ann...
Violist Jordan Bak
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning Jamaican-American violist Jordan Bak joins us to preview his recital at BGSU on January 11, and to share a couple tracks from his debut ...
Sarah Cahill: The Future is Female (Vol. 2)
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pianist and radio host Sarah Cahill joins us for a thoughtful discussion about her ongoing performance and recording project The Future is Female. She...
Nadia Shpachenko: Invasion
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As the war in Ukraine rages on, GRAMMY® Award-winning Ukrainian-American pianist Nadia Shpachenko offers the album INVASION with music by the compose...
Time for Jess Gillam
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As both a virtuoso sax player and a BBC3 radio personality, Jess Gillam is a "double-threat," known for her infectious personality as well as for her ...
Keith Phares
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Acclaimed baritone Keith Phares joins us in the WGTE studios to talk about his career, share musical excerpts, and preview his upcoming Faculty Recita...
Hilary Hahn: Eclipse
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Superstar vioinist Hilary Hahn joins us to talk about her album ECLIPSE, from Deutsche Grammophon records. A celebration of Hilary's return to the sta...
Víkingur Ólafsson: From Afar
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson talks about his deeply personal album From Afar, released by Deutsche Grammophon records on October 7th, 2022. T...
Sheku Kanneh-Mason: Song
16 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Superstar cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason joins us to talk about his latest album from Decca Records, SONG, which features an eclectic mix of folk tunes, c...
Toledo Opera: Blue
19 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Cast members and creatives for Toledo Opera's production of "Blue" join us to talk about the work and how it uses a 400 year old artistic platform (op...
"Blue" With Dr. Naomi André
17 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Naomi André, a celebrated musicologist and scholar, is a frequent contributor to the community discussions surrounding the new opera "Blue" and i...
Neave Trio: Musical Remembrances
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The wonderful Neave Trio has appeared on FM 91 several times in the past. Now they have a new album out called Musical Remembrances, that contains som...
Nadine Sierra: Made for Opera
17 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Since she was a child, opera sensation Nadine Sierra has wanted to sing opera. Now well beyond her wildest dreams, Nadine stands at the top of the you...
Leif Ove Andsnes: Mozart Momentum 1786
17 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The acclaimed Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes joins us to talk about the second album release in his Mozart Momentum project, which documents the g...
Lara Downes: Scott Joplin Reconsidered
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In her latest album Reflections: Scott Joplin Reconsidered, pianist Lara Downes reframes the life and work of the pioneering composer and performer Sc...
Catalyst Quartet: Uncovered 2 (Florence Price)
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Violinist Abi Fayette of the Catalyst Quartet joins WGTE's Haley Taylor to chat about the quartet's latest album release in their "Uncovered" project,...
Allen Markowicz and Sylvia Neil: Board Chair Siblings
20 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Allen Markowicz and Sylvia Neil are probably t he only siblings to simultanously chair the boards of two opera companies: Toledo Opera and Lyric Oper...
La Traviata Roundtable Discussion
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We spend time with the stars of Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata, which is being presented by Toledo Opera on Friday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2:00 p....
Matt Haimovitz: Primavera II the rabbits
16 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Multi-Grammy nominated cellist Matt Haimovitz joins WGTE's Brad Cresswell to talk about the second installment in The Primavera Project - an onoing se...
Simone Dinnerstein: Undersong
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pianist Simone Dinnerstein joins us for a chat about her latest album, entitled Undersong. Beautiful, stately performances of works by Philip Glass, R...
JoAnn Falletta: Claudette Sorel Rediscovered
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Multiple Grammy Award-winning conductor JoAnn Falletta talks with Haley Taylor about the remarkable pianist Claudette Sorel. A child prodigy (and even...
Sheku and Isata: Muse
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Haley Taylor chats with the uber-talented siblings Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason, who have released their first album together. Entitled Muse, the reco...
It's a "Liszt"ening Party!
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
UMich faculty member and stellar pianist Matthew Bengtson joins us for a preview of the upcoming 2021 American Liszt Society Festival at the Universit...
Il Trovatore Roundtable Discussion
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We offer a preview discussion of Toledo Opera's upcoming production of Giuseppe Verdi's Il Trovatore, including how the opera's complicated (and somet...
Jean-Yves Thibaudet: Carte Blanche
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The venerated pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet joins us to talk about his most personal album to date, called Carte Blanche, a collection of encores – ea...
Lara Downes: New Day Begun
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Billboard Chart-topping pianist and NPR Music personality Lara Downes joins us to sample her recent album New Day Begun, which is part of her ongoing ...
Chelsea Guo - Chopin: In My Voice
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The young pianist (and singer) Chelsea Guo has racked up some impressive honors as a Young Scholar of the Lang Lang Foundation and a top prizewinner i...
Richard Danielpour: An American Mosaic
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
"Do not reach for the music. Do not try to will the music into being. Surrender yourself. Become empty and allow yourself to receive what feels true."...
John-Henry Crawford: DIALOGO
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The young cellist John-Henry Crawford (winner of the 2019 International Carlos Prieto Competition) introduces his debut album DIALOGO (Dialogue), reco...
Michael Shapiro: Peace Variations
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this intimate conversation, composer, conductor,and host of the Interplay YouTube series Michael Shapiro takes us on a journey through his Peace Va...
New York Polyphony: And the Sun Darkened
02 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Craig Phillips, bass for the Grammy-nominated vocal quartet New York Polyphony provides some of the backstory for the group's latest album And The Sun...
Catalyst Quartet: Uncovered
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Karlos Rodriguez, founding cellist of the Catalyst String Quartet, talks about the first installment in Catalyst's Uncovered Project - an ongoing perf...
Simone Dinnerstein: An American Mosaic
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The pianist Simone Dinnerstein joins us for a conversation about her second album recorded at home during the pandemic: An American Mosaic by Richard ...
Daniil Trifonov: Silver Age
16 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A Musical America Artist of the Year, Grammy-winning pianist Daniil Trifonov is known for his intense yet thoughtful performances, especially of the R...
Hilary Hahn: Paris
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Multi Grammy-winning violinist Hilary Hahn joins us to talk about her album Paris – a musical love letter to the city she has been visiting and perf...
Toledo Opera: Music Behind the Mural and Where's Al?
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Alta Dantzler joins us to talk about her creation "The Music Behind the Mural," which brings many of the characters from Paul Geiger's famous mura...
Virtual Live from FM 91: Toledo Symphony String Quartet at Rosary Cathedral
04 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this virtual edition of Live from FM 91, violinist Cheryl Trace (Toledo Symphony) and Paul Monachino (Rosary Cathedral) preview the Toledo Symphony...