Voice of the Arts

WQED Multimedia
  • 4.9 (7)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED DAILY

Insights and anecdotes from musicians, dancers, artists, actors and directors, as well as audience response.

  1. 1H AGO

    Resonance Works - Requiem for Water

    Resonance Works presents the Pittsburgh premiere of Reena Esmail’s Malhaar: A Requiem for Water and the return of Nancy Galbraith’s Flute Concerto, which Resonance Works commissioned and premiered in 2019. Conductor/producer Maria Sensi Sellner, Hindustani vocalist Vidita Kanniks, and flutist Lindsey Goodman joined Jim Cunningham live on the QED Morning Show to talk about the program. Vidita and Maria provide background on Malhaar, which is associated with the Indian monsoon season. This raga, an Indian classical music tradition, takes on the theme of rain. Esmail was inspired by the California droughts and global water bankruptcy to write this requiem, intertwining Hindustani and Western classical music. Nancy Galbraith, a Millvale native, wrote her Flute Concerto for Lindsey, who talks about its magnificence. Also on the program are Copland's Quiet City and the Andante from Bach's Violin Sonata No. 2. Jim, Maria, Vidita, and Lindsey also listen to an excerpt from the 2019 premiere of Galbraith's Flute Concerto and a recording of Copland's Quiet City from Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic. There are two opportunities to hear this program: Friday, March 6 at 8:00 pm at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, PA and on Sunday, March 8 at 4:00 pm at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh in Shadyside. For information and tickets, visit the Resonance Works website. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.  Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    27 min

  2. 3H AGO

    Bruckner Society President Details Award Presentation to Manfred Honeck

    The Bruckner Society of America President Benjamin Korstvedt joins Jim Cunningham to recall the presentation of the Kilenyi Award from the Bruckner Society to Manfred Honeck on February 21, 2026, at Heinz Hall. The Pittsburgh Symphony followed the presentation with a performance of Bruckner's Eighth Symphony, which was recorded for broadcast on WQED-FM and for a Reference CD. Manfred Honeck had already received an award from the Society for Recording of the Year when the Bruckner Seventh appeared on disc. Pittsburgh conductors Otto Klemperer, Fritz Reiner, and William Steinberg had preceded Manfred Honeck in winning the Kilenyi prize. Benjamin suggests that among the special features of Manfred Honeck's interpretation was the vast dynamic range from the extremely quiet playing to the roaring fortissimo of many passages. Dr. Korstvedt teaches at Clark University, where he received his undergraduate degree. He later attended the University of Pennsylvania for his PhD. He has written two award-winning books on Bruckner and won the Claude V Palisca prize for extensive research into the three versions of the Fourth Symphony.  In his book on the Eighth, he dives into "the Adagio and the sublime" as a key feature of the Eighth. Dr. Korstvedt has also written and conducted research regarding the complex and troubling relationship of the Third Reich to Bruckner's music. He's thought about how to make the Bruckner Symphonies come alive for modern audiences, jazz interpretations of Bruckner in Europe, and details such as the cymbal crash and percussion in the Seventh Symphony that some claim never existed. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.  Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    26 min

  3. 1D AGO

    Beauty and the Beast Returns to Pittsburgh

    Last week, Disney's Beauty and the Beast returned to Pittsburgh's Benedum Center for its first North American production in over 25 years! WQED Digital Correspondent Nick Tommarello spoke with Assistant Conductor and keyboardist Connor Doran about this very special occasion. Connor talks about the timeless nature of the story and its music, his role in performances, and the joy of interacting with audiences. Born in Pittsburgh, Connor tells Nick about growing up in Baldwin and finding music through his father and his education. Connor and Nick wrap up with a discussion about Pittsburgh's arts community and how vital the arts are to personal development. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.  Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    13 min

  4. 5D AGO

    Slippery Rock University Honors Flute Ensemble

    Slippery Rock University recently hosted their 11th annual Honors Flute Ensemble on February 21st-22nd. Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich, composer Greg Lutz, and SRU sophomore Ben Bellomo joined Jim Cunningham live on the QED Morning Show to give a recap of the concert. Cassandra talks about the Honors Flute Ensemble, which brought high school students to SRU for two days of rehearsals, workshops, and the concert. Greg, who was commissioned to write for flute and percussion for this concert, provided background on his piece and his position teaching music at Kiski Area. Ben talks about getting degrees in Music Therapy and Flute Performance. The three discuss SRU's music department, the area of Slippery Rock, and the joys of music education. Jim, Cassandra, Greg, and Ben also listen Greg's piece, "Kitchen Kalypso," and a solo performance from Ben of Paul Wetzger's "By the Forest Brook." Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.  Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    31 min

  5. FEB 25

    Pittsburgh Opera - Timothi Williams - Time to Act

    Pittsburgh Opera presents the World Premiere of "Time to Act" at the Bitz Opera Factory from February 28th through March 8th. The opera follows a group of high school students preparing for a production of Sophocles’ Antigone, who are joined by a new student, Alona, who comes with a formidable secret. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Timothi Williams, who sings the role of Alona. Timothi talks about her character, what its like to be back in high school; and how its an interesting time to be doing this opera since her child has just begun going to school. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.  Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    7 min

  6. FEB 25

    Pittsburgh Opera - Shannon Crowley - Time to Act

    Pittsburgh Opera presents the World Premiere of "Time to Act" at the Bitz Opera Factory from February 28th through March 8th. The opera follows a group of high school students preparing for a production of Sophocles’ Antigone, who are joined by a new student, Alona, who comes with a formidable secret. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Shannon Crowley, who sings the role of Bailey. Shannon talks about her character; learning a brand new opera, and her costume. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.  Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    7 min

  7. FEB 25

    Pittsburgh Opera - Michael Sakir - Time to Act

    Pittsburgh Opera presents the World Premiere of "Time to Act" at the Bitz Opera Factory from February 28th through March 8th. The opera follows a group of high school students preparing for a production of Sophocles’ Antigone, who are joined by a new student, Alona, who comes with a formidable secret. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with conductor Michael Sakir. Michael talked about working with composer Laura Kaminsky in the past; the orchestration of the opera; and where he will be set up in the production. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.  Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    9 min

  8. FEB 25

    Pittsburgh Opera - Laura Kaminsky - Time to Act

    Pittsburgh Opera presents the World Premiere of "Time to Act" at the Bitz Opera Factory from February 28th through March 8th. The opera follows a group of high school students preparing for a production of Sophocles’ Antigone, who are joined by a new student, Alona, who comes with a formidable secret. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with composer Laura Kaminsky, who talked about her initial reluctance to compose the music; being back in Pittsburgh to present this World Premiere; and how her psychology degree helps her in composition. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.  Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    14 min
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4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Insights and anecdotes from musicians, dancers, artists, actors and directors, as well as audience response.

Information

  • Creator
    WQED Multimedia
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    704
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Voice of the Arts