Category Archives: Contemporary
John Pitman Reviews: Arnold Schoenberg
For this edition of John Pitman’s Reviews, John has invited All Classical host and producer Lisa Lipton to sit down with Larry Schoenberg, son of composer Arnold Schoenberg. Lisa, along with microtonal composer Richie Greene, and 45th Parallel Universe musicians Ron Blessinger and James Shields, asked Larry what it was like having one of the… More
Five Composers You Need to Know for National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose families originate from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The timing of the 30-day period beginning September 15th is significant for several reasons: September 15th is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador,… More
Five Contemporary LGBTQI+ Artists We Love to Play On Air
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) Pride Month is observed each year in commemoration of the June 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York, a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. Nationally, Pride Month is observed in June. Locally, the city of Portland celebrates its queer community in July. In… More
Jimmie Herrod & Cédric Hanriot: A New Foray Into Fauré
In May, All Classical Radio’s Christa Wessel hosted a special program performed by acclaimed vocalist Jimmie Herrod and celebrated pianist and composer Cédric Hanriot. A New Foray Into Fauré featured exclusive performances of works by Gabriel Fauré, as well as music by the “Dean of American Balladeers” John Jacob Niles, and composer Ned Rorem, in… More
John Pitman Review: Miloš’s ‘Baroque’
Miloš, the superstar guitarist who has recorded the standard guitar repertoire, explored the Beatles, as well as the experience of isolation, returns with a carefully-curated collection of music of the 18th century. Baroque is the guitarist’s rediscovery of music that he was taught when a student, to which he now brings his own interpretation and… More
Meet Seven Black Contemporary Composers
At All Classical Radio, we’re proud to continually expand our playlist with diverse musical offerings. As we continue to celebrate and honor Black History Month, we are shining a special spotlight on Black classical composers whose works grace our airwaves all year round. In this post, you’ll get to know some living composers whose works… More
John Pitman Review: Randall Goosby ‘Violin Concertos’
All Classical Radio’s program director, John Pitman, chats with American violinist Randall Goosby about his second album with Decca Classics. The dynamic young soloist brings freshness to a concerto he first encountered as a teenager: Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, and shimmering performances of Florence Price’s two Violin Concertos, with the Philadelphia Orchestra and… More
John Pitman Review: Andrew Brownell’s ‘Shades of Night’
Andrew Brownell is a pianist and former Portlander who, in the mid-1990s would occasionally stop by the All Classical studios for an interview with John Pitman. Often, Andrew would play something on the piano, or accompany violinist Nicholas Crosa (now part of Pink Martini), for an upcoming recital. Brownell recently stopped by for a chat… More
Five LGBTQI+ Artists You Need to Know
In honor of Pride Month, and all year round, join All Classical in celebrating LGBTQI+ musical artists who provide so much joy, talent, and beauty to our collective soundscape. As we come together to enjoy the station’s catalog of diverse programming, let’s get to know a few of the LGBTQI+ artists who regularly grace our… More
John Pitman Review: Eric Whitacre & Voces8 ‘Home’
All Classical Portland’s Program Director John Pitman recently spoke with American choral composer Eric Whitacre, who has a career now spanning over three decades, is one of the world’s most popular composers among audiences and choirs alike. Several of his works have been recorded multiple times, but even then, the composer sees opportunities when one special… More
