Classical Music Happy Hour

Join renowned pianist and host Emanuel Ax for Classical Music Happy Hour: a new podcast full of music, merriment, and conversation. Manny (Emanuel) talks with an eclectic lineup of composers, performers, and creative voices from the world of classical music and beyond. Each episode explores the guest’s life and career, dives into their favorite classical gems, includes music-inspired games, and folds in questions from listeners. The result is a podcast that feels like a relaxed gathering of friends who love classical music and want others to join the party. Grab a cocktail and press play on a podcast celebrating our love of all things classical music!

  1. Gabriela Ortiz - Composer and Grammy Gal

    HACE 21 H

    Gabriela Ortiz - Composer and Grammy Gal

    Composer Gabriela Ortiz joins Manny to talk about her grandfather’s surprising connection to Mahler, her own compositional process, and her enduring love for works by Debussy and Stravinsky. Listeners call in with tricky questions about folk music’s influence on classical works, new developments in orchestral instruments, and the realities of orchestra cliques. In our game segment, Manny puts Gabriela to the test—can she identify which famous composer was panned by critics? Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Music used in today’s episode includes: Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp minor, IV. Adagietto Mahler Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Antoni Wit Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Le Sacre du Printemps Stravinsky Brussels Philharmonic, Ali Rahbari Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. La Mer, L. 109, II. Jeux de vagues Debussy Brussels Philharmonic, Ali Rahbari Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Miroirs, M. 43 Une barque sur l'océan Ravel Francois-joel Thiollier, piano Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Estancia, Op. 8, Scene 5: Danza Final. Malambo Alberto Ginastera London Symphony Orchestra, Gisele Ben-Dor Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Romanian Folk Dances Bartok Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Live Recording Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36 Beethoven Danish Chamber Orchestra, Ádám Fischer Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts.  Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.

    39 min
  2. Marc-André Hamelin - Rocks Rachmaninoff

    11 MAR

    Marc-André Hamelin - Rocks Rachmaninoff

    Composer and pianist Marc-André Hamelin joins Manny to talk about growing up with a musical father, the mechanics of piano playing, and the influences behind his prolific performing and recording career. He answers listener questions about piano transcriptions and why music is written in so many different keys. In the music segment, Hamelin performs one of his favorite works by Rachmaninoff live in the studio. The piece performed by Marc-André Hamelin is Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Etude-Tableau op39/5 in E-flat minor. Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Music used in today’s episode includes: 53 Studies on the Chopin Études: No. 12 in G-Flat Major (6th Version) Leopold Godowsky Robert Helps, Piano 53 Studies on the Chopin Études: No. 45 in E Major (1st Version) Leopold Godowsky Robert Helps, Piano Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade Modest Mussorgsky Yutong Sun, Piano Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade Modest Mussorgsky Volgograd Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Serov Horn Concerto No. 2 in E-Flat Major Mozart Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Michael Thompson Fantasia in C minor, K. 475 Mozart Péter Nagy, piano Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts.  Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.

    31 min
  3. Yuja Wang - Superstar Pianist Plays Too Many Encores

    4 MAR

    Yuja Wang - Superstar Pianist Plays Too Many Encores

    Superstar pianist Yuja Wang joins Manny Ax to talk about bad pianos, encores, what influences her musical interpretations, and her love for Prokofiev. In our Newly Dead game, Yuja puts her knowledge of composer deaths to the test. Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts.  Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Music used in today’s episode includes: Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-Flat Major, Op. 31 No. 3 "La chasse": IV  Beethoven  Boris Giltburg, Piano Piano Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31 No. 1: I. Allegro Beethoven Boris Giltburg, Piano  Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, K. 545 "Sonata facile": I. Allegro Mozart Jenő Jandó, Piano Concerto No. 2 Op 18 II Adagio Sostenuto Rachmaninoff Sergei Rachmaninoff, piano Leopold Stokowski, conductor The Philadelphia Orchestra 1924 Scythian Suite, Op. 20: II. The Enemy of God, III. Night  Prokofiev Ukrainian State Symphony Orchestra Theodore Kuchar, conductor Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 6: IV. Marche Funebre  Scriabin Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Konstantin Scherbakov & Igor Golovschin   Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55 "Eroica": II. Marcia funebre  Beethoven Danish Chamber Orchestra & Ádám Fischer  Symphony No. 44 in E minor Trauer Sinfonie Mourning III Adagio Haydn Capella Istropolitana & Barry Wordsworth Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.

    35 min
  4. Hawai‘i: Yo-Yo Ma and the Whales

    19/11/2025

    Hawai‘i: Yo-Yo Ma and the Whales

    Yo-Yo Ma has wanted to use his cello to communicate with whales for half his life. And, in Hawai’i he got a chance. With help from the Polyneisan Voyaging Society and hula master Snowbird Bento, Yo-Yo learns about the ancient art of Hawaiian chant, what one local singer describes to him as their “contribution to the orchestra of the world.” Then Ana and Yo-Yo board a legendary canoe, Hōkūleʻa, with local fishermen, seafaring captains, and marine biologists. The musicians play cello for whales through the hull of the ship, all in the red glow of volcano Mauna Loa’s active eruption.  Featuring music by Yo-Yo Ma and Snowbird Bento Listen to the Our Common Nature EP Credits:  Our Common Nature is a production of WNYC and Sound Postings  Hosted by Ana González Produced by Alan Goffinski Editing from Pearl Marvell Sound design and episode music by Alan Goffinski Mixed  by Joe Plourde Fact-checking by Ena Alvarado Executive Producers are Emily Botein, Ben Mandelkern, Sophie Shackleton, and Jonathan Bays. Our advisors are Mira Burt-Wintonick, Kamaka Dias, Kelley Libbey, and Chris Newell Episode photo by Austin Mann; Episode and show art by Tiffany Pai Our Common Nature is a production of WNYC and Sound Postings. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Yo-Yo Ma wants to know: what place do you love most? What reminds you that you are part of the Earth? Snap a photo of your favorite place on the planet and share it on social with the tag #ourcommonnature Visit the website at ourcommonnaturepodcast.org

    44 min
  5. Hawai‘i: Yo-Yo Ma on Moloka‘i

    12/11/2025

    Hawai‘i: Yo-Yo Ma on Moloka‘i

    On the island of Molokaʻi in Hawaii, we trace the spiritual power of mana, from a sacred grove to the Kalaupapa colony, where music, story, and Yo-Yo Ma’s performance honor the resilience and memory of those who came before. Perched on a plateau on the southeast side of the island of Molokaʻi sits a grove of kukui trees. Mikiʻala Pescaia tells us that beneath the roots of these trees are the bones of Hawaiian spiritual leader Lanikaula. It holds his energy and power, his mana, a key concept in Hawaiian culture. On the north side of the same island, on a rugged peninsula called Kalaupapa, we explore the mana left behind by another history. It’s the site of a government-mandated colony for people who contracted Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy.  Historian Anwei Law tells us the story of Bernard Punikaiʻa, who came to Kalaupapa as a boy with a disease and created a life of music and community within the bounds of the colony. We reflect on how to memorialize the residents of Kalaupapa as the last remaining living residents listen to Yo-Yo play in one of the peninsula's many cemeteries.  Featuring music by Yo-Yo Ma and Bernard Punikaʻia Watch a video of Bernard performing “Where Birds Never Fly” Listen to the Our Common Nature EP Credits:  Our Common Nature is a production of WNYC and Sound Postings  Hosted by Ana González Produced by Alan Goffinski Editing from Pearl Marvell Sound design and episode music by Alan Goffinski Mixed  by Joe Plourde Fact-checking by Ena Alvarado Executive Producers are Emily Botein, Ben Mandelkern, Sophie Shackleton, and Jonathan Bays. Our advisors are Mira Burt-Wintonick, Kamaka Dias, Kelley Libbey, and Chris Newell Episode photo by Austin Mann; Episode and show art by Tiffany Pai Our Common Nature is a production of WNYC and Sound Postings. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Yo-Yo Ma wants to know: what place do you love most? What reminds you that you are part of the Earth? Snap a photo of your favorite place on the planet and share it on social with the tag #ourcommonnature Visit the website at ourcommonnaturepodcast.org

    45 min
  6. West Virginia: Yo-Yo Ma and West Virginia Coal

    05/11/2025

    West Virginia: Yo-Yo Ma and West Virginia Coal

    West Virginia is defined by its beauty and its coal, two things that can work against each other. Yo-Yo Ma felt this as soon as stepped foot in its hills.This episode explores how music and poetry help process the emotions of a community besieged with disaster and held together by pride and duty. We travel down the Coal River with third-generation coal miner Chris Saunders, who tells us how coal has saved and threatened his life. Poet Crystal Good shares her poetry, which channels her rage and love. And musician and granddaughter of West Virginia coal miners, Kathy Mattea, explains the beauty of belting out your home state in a chorus. The end of the episode finds host Ana floating down the New River with help from a group of high schoolers and Yo-Yo Ma.  Featuring music by Yo-Yo Ma, Dom Flemons, and Kathy Mattea and poetry by Crystal Good.  Listen to the Our Common Nature EP.  Credits:  Our Common Nature is a production of WNYC and Sound Postings  Hosted by Ana González Produced by Alan Goffinski Editing Pearl Marvell Sound design and episode music by Alan Goffinski Mixed  by Joe Plourde Fact-checking by Ena Alvarado Executive Producers :  Emily Botein, Ben Mandelkern, Sophie Shackleton, and Jonathan Bays. Our advisors are Mira Burt-Wintonick, Kamaka Dias, Kelley Libbey, and Chris Newell Episode photo by Austin Mann; Episode and show art by Tiffany Pai This podcast was inspired by a project of the same name, conceived by Yo-Yo Ma and Sound Postings, with creative direction by Sophie Shackleton, in collaboration with partners all over the world. Our Common Nature is made possible with support from Emerson Collective and Tambourine Philanthropies Our Common Nature is a production of WNYC and Sound Postings. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Yo-Yo Ma wants to know: what place do you love most? What reminds you that you are part of the Earth? Snap a photo of your favorite place on the planet and share it on social with the tag #ourcommonnature Visit the website at ourcommonnaturepodcast.org

    46 min

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Join renowned pianist and host Emanuel Ax for Classical Music Happy Hour: a new podcast full of music, merriment, and conversation. Manny (Emanuel) talks with an eclectic lineup of composers, performers, and creative voices from the world of classical music and beyond. Each episode explores the guest’s life and career, dives into their favorite classical gems, includes music-inspired games, and folds in questions from listeners. The result is a podcast that feels like a relaxed gathering of friends who love classical music and want others to join the party. Grab a cocktail and press play on a podcast celebrating our love of all things classical music!

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