Endless winter and beautiful mornings on Classical 91.5

Of course winter will end.  Someday.  Meanwhile, you're invited to bask in radiant classical music, exclusive performances by Rochester artists, plus arts news, features, and the latest headlines.  The Composers Datebook airs at 7:20, The Writers Almanac airs at 8:20.  Tune in early enough and you can try to guess the names of recordings by fine clarinetists on the Mystery piece at 6:40 a.m.

Monday, February 24     Wake up with fabulous recordings featuring some of the finest players on the planet: Itzhak Perlman (did you catch him at Eastman this past weekend?), James Galway, and Sabine Meyer.  Explore "The Wound Dresser" by John Adams on the Composers Datebook.  On the Writer’s Almanac, Garrison revisits the story of Orpheus, the Brothers Grimm, and the life of Steve Jobs.

Tuesday, February 25    On the playlist: works by J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, and Debussy’ La Mer.  We’ll dive into "Basics" by Koussevitzky and Meyer on the Composers Datebook.  On the Writer’s Almanac, Garrison remembers the day Queen Elizabeth I was declared a heretic.

Wednesday, February 26 

WXXI’s Sharp Ears series offers you the chance to learn more about the great performers you hear on the station and what makes them so special.  At 7:20 a.m., RPO principal clarinet Kenny Grant explores what makes a great sound on his instrument.  On the Writer’s Almanac, visit a place on earth “beyond comparison — beyond description; absolutely unparalleled throughout the wide world.” On the playlist, works by Beethoven, Robert Schumann, and Aaron Jay Kernis.

Thursday, February 27 

Wake to a march by Edward Elgar, a suite by Randall Thompson, and C.V. Stanford’s Songs of the Fleet. On the Composers Datebook, we’ll hear timely music by Beethoven and Leroy Anderson. In anticipation of the Academy awards this weekend, we’ll enjoy an Oscar-winning film score.

Friday, February 28  

You’ll get a preview of the weekend’s live concerts, hear works by Rossini and Arvo Part, and learn a little bit about Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin on the Composers Datebook. Jessye Norman sings a gorgeous song by Richard Strauss.  The Boston Pops salutes the Oscars.  Fridayyyyyyy!