The Vivace Christmas Special

This Friday, we'll broadcast the Vivace Christmas Show, a mixture of classical and Christmas music. 

We start with the Czech Christmas Eve Mass by Jan Ryba, a perennial favorite, followed by some piano music by Beethoven.

We'll devote the first part of the 7 o'clock hour to Suites 3 and 4 of The Many Moods of Christmas, the seminal 1963 work by Robert Russell Bennett. We have the 1983 recording by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.  

After concertos by Albinoni and Vivaldi, we have the brand-new best-selling recording of Angels from the Realms of Glory by cellist Steven Sharp Nelson and The Piano Guys.

There's more Christmas music in the 8 o'clock hour, culminating, as usual with selections from Messiah by Handel.  

You're most welcome to sing along, but above all, I hope you'll join me here on WTJU-Charlottesville for Christmas Vivace, Friday morning, 6-9 am.  And finally, let me wish you and all those you love a peaceful, joyful Christmas and a very happy new year.

Deborah Murray's finale on Classical Sunrise

This Sunday, please remember to tune in to Classical Sunrise, 6-9 am, here on WTJU-Charlottesville.

After 15 years, Deborah Murray is bowing out as host of the program, and this will be her last show.

Deborah has been an outstanding station volunteer, not only hosting a program, but also serving as Classical Department Director. She has overseen the classical programming on WTJU, and helped guide it through difficult times. She's also organized the classical department's fund-raising marathons and has been personally responsible for bringing in generous contributions from her listeners.

Most important, though, is that Deborah has carefully and thoughtfully chosen every work she's aired over the last decade and a half. That care and attention to detail has made "Classical Sunrise" part of many listeners' Sunday morning routine.

We know she has a special show planned in appreciation of all of you who have enjoyed joining Deborah on Sunday mornings.  We hope you'll tune in. And please call in to wish her well!   

 

The Berlin Wall falls - and a celebration of Dame Joan too!

This Friday, Vivace begins with a delightful piano quartet by Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia and a symphony by Antonio Rosetti. 

At 7:30 am, we'll do our part to mark the 25th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, which occurs next Sunday, including an excerpt from a rare recording of cellist Mstislav Rostropovich playing at the Berlin Wall as it was being hacked down.  (Incidentally, do join my colleague, John Delehanty who will also mark the occasion on Sunday morning 6-9 am)

Just after 8 am, we have another treat for you: a special feature on the great opera singer, Dame Joan Sutherland on the 88th anniversary of her birth. 

Of course, we'll hear Dame Joan singing for us, and my colleague, Tim Snider, host of the Sunday Opera Matinee, will also offer some insights into her magic. 

As ever, I hope you'll join me for an extra-special edition of Vivace, this Friday, 6-9 am, here on WTJU-Charlottesville.