Here's the schedule for this semester, and see below for descriptions of special shows!

• The Double Concerto - Mondays 6:00 pm
• Freedom Across the Atlantic - Tuesdays 6:00 pm
• Full on Poulenc - Tuesdays 7:00 pm
• British Music and the First World War - Wednesdays 6:00 pm
• The Musician's Guide to Zoology - Wednesday 7:00 pm
• New Releases - Wednesdays 8:00 pm
• Just For Strings - Thursdays 6:00 pm
• The Fugue After The Art - Thursdays 7:00 pm
• Beyond the Stage - Sundays 3:00 pm
• Composers on Composers - Sundays 4:00 pm
• Classical Conversations - Sundays 5:00 pm
• Historic Performances - Sundays 6:00 pm

The Double Concerto - Mondays 6:00 pm

From the Baroque Period to today, the double concerto has been an important form in music. Frequently used as a medium for experimentation, double concertos have also allowed composers to develop unique stylistic trademarks that would come to define their other music. In this program, we will take a look at some of the most significant double concertos, their influences, and their impact.

Freedom Across the Atlantic - Tuesdays 6:00 pm

Arnold Schoenberg's musical life revolved around a sequence of realizations about modernity, freedom, meaning, and the ways in which the aesthetic is enclosed, separating itself from its entropic surroundings. This Feature follows Schoenberg's intellectual development, from the romantic decay depicted in his early works to the footprint he left on the midcentury music of the United States, his adopted home. Particular attention is given to Schoenberg’s under-appreciated operatic voice, and the role of the operas “Erwartung” and “Moses und Aron” in exposing his philosophical thoughts.

Full on Poulenc - Tuesdays 7:00 pm

One of the most influential composers during the 20th century, Francis Poulenc used his works to not only to change the landscape of classical compositions, but also to comment on French culture in general. With an incredible variety of pieces, Poulenc uncovered simplicity in complicated melodies and complexity in simple songs. Explore the compositions of Francis Poulenc and journey through his life works.

British Music and the First World War - Wednesdays 6:00 pm

"In the 100th anniversary year of the end of the First World War this weekly feature will explore the progression of British music through the early decades of the 20th century. The programming includes some of the greats of the period like, Elgar, Holst, and Vaughn-Williams interspersed with lesser known composers, whose careers and lives were irrevocably changed by the War."

The Musician's Guide to Zoology - Wednesday 7:00 pm

Animals were the first musicians. Flirty birds, majestic whales, croaking frogs, and others are capable of creating amazing songs with recognizable harmonies, motifs, and elements of improvisation. Listen to how composers, both past and current, draw inspiration from animals.

Just For Strings - Thursdays 6:00 pm

How did 19th and 20th-century composers use the rich and varied timbres of the string ensemble in their works, taking the genre beyond the lightness of the typical Mozart serenade? This feature will explore works for more than 5 string players that these composers wrote as impressionistic studies, exercises in nationalism, and contrapuntal and experimental showcases.

The Fugue After The Art - Thursdays 7:00 pm

Fugues written after J. S. Bach have always existed somewhat in his shadow: no one can deny the influence of Bach’s mastery of counterpoint on the many later generations of classical composers. We will track the art of the fugue in the years after The Art of the Fugue, as composers from Haydn to Webern explore contrapuntal possibilities both outside of and within the strict Bachian fugue.

Beyond the Stage - Sundays 3:00 pm

What questions do you have for your musicians, composers, and conductors? Have you ever wondered what they think about on the stage? What about their lives beyond the stage? What motivates them to create music, what shapes their musical philosophies, and what are their favorite recordings? In this feature, WHRB Classical will speak to your favorite classical music artists to answer these questions and more! In this inaugural season of Beyond the Stage, we’ll be interviewing cellist Laurence Lesser, bassist Edgar Meyer, composer Max Richter, conductor Hannu Lintu, and more! We will also be accepting call-in requests during this hour for any questions you want to ask/any artists you’d like us to interview in the future. This feature is supported by the Celebrity Series of Boston.

Composers on Composers - Sundays 4:00 pm

In what piece did Richard Strauss quote not one, but two Beethoven symphonies? How many variations of Paganini’s 24th caprice have you heard? Why did the forward-looking Prokofiev look back to Haydn’s musical style for insight? This feature will explore the many ways composers take inspiration from each other, through quotations, variations, dedications, and more. Each week, we’ll trace the influence of one composer – or one key piece by that composer – on future compositions.

Classical Conversations - Sundays 5:00 pm

Each week in Classical Conversations, featured members of WHRB Classical will discuss pieces of music which have shaped their lives in some way. They’ll be talking about their personal connection to these pieces, their favorite recording(s) of this piece, the historical significance of this piece, and more. Listen to Classical Conversations for poignant childhood stories, unique musical perspectives, and lively debate dialogues. Through Classical Conversations, we hope to share some insights on our favorite pieces with you.