Studio A Interlochen Public Radio

The annual Rosalyn Tureck Memorial Concert features Interlochen Arts Academy students performing Bach's music in honor of the late scholar and pianist.

This recital takes place because Interlochen is home to the Rosalyn Tureck Bach Research Institute.

Tureck was an important scholar of Bach’s music in the 20th century, and everyone from Glenn Gould to William F. Buckley to Sharon Isbin sought her opinions.

In 2022, Interlochen became the home of the Tureck Bach Research Institute, which includes Rosalyn Tureck’s essays, books, writings and recordings.

Another part of the Tureck Bach Research Institute is this annual recital in her honor featuring the music of Bach.

IPR met two of the pianists who will be playing Bach's music on this recital and got a preview in Studio A.

Kené Obiaya is a senior from Chicago, IL. He performed the Prelude and Fugue in D major Book 1 of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier.

Viviane Kim is a senior from Port Jefferson, NY. She performed Bach's Partita in C Minor (BWV 826).

Kim is also this year's recipient of the Rosalyn Tureck scholarship, which is awarded to a female Interlochen Arts Academy piano student.

Frank Slaughter recently spoke with Classical IPR about the history of "Repose," the show that he been hosting for Interlochen Public Radio since 1987.

In the earliest days of the program, he broadcast a lot of music by George Winston and the Paul Winter Consort. With the success of musicians like Yanni in the early 1990s, Slaughter changed the focus of the program's music to more new age instrumental sounds.

In this conversation with IPR's music director Amanda Sewell, Slaughter explains why he chose Danny Wright's cover of "Softly as I Leave You" for the "Repose" theme music, and why he signs off each program by asking his wife Maurine to "turn on the side light."

Soprano Amber Cierra Merritt will portray sculptor Edmonia Lewis in the world premiere of the opera "Edmonia" by composer Bill Banfield.

Lewis was the first sculptor of African American and Native American ancestry to achieve international recognition.

Banfield's opera "Edmonia" celebrates Lewis's life, and it's getting its premiere at Interlochen in May.

The production will feature student musicians from Interlochen Arts Academy in many of the roles, but the title character will be portrayed by soprano Amber Cierra Merritt.

Merritt recently visited IPR's Studio A when she was on campus for "Edmonia" rehearsals.

With collaborative pianist Susan Snyder, she performed the aria "Dreams" from Banfield's "Edmonia," as well as the art song "Why Fades a Dream" by Irene Britton Smith (text of Paul Laurence Dunbar).

Merritt spoke with IPR about bringing a figure like Edmonia Lewis to life and how her relationship with composer Banfield has helped both of them shape the music and the character.

She also talked about her newest role - that of being a mom.

Pianist and From the Top host Peter Dugan visited IPR's Studio A to discuss being a musical omnivore and how he works with young musicians for the show.

Music performed in Studio A
Frederic Chopin, Nocturne op. 27, no. 2
John Lennon & Paul McCartney, "Yesterday" (arr. Peter Dugan)
Alberto Ginastera, Danza del gaucho matrero

Violinist and Interlochen Arts Academy violin instructor Tina Qu visited IPR's Studio A to perform a movement from a Bach Partita.

Qu will be featured with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra in their Bach Brandenburg Concertos concert on March 17, 2024.

Members of the Sandy Bottom Boys bluegrass ensemble visited Studio A to perform music from "Whither Thou Goest? The Story of Ruth" alongside Artistic Director of Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre and choreographer Tom Morrell.

Set in 1930s Appalachia and featuring live bluegrass musicians, the Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre presents "Whither Thou Goest? The Story of Ruth" at the Milliken Auditorium at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City, MI the weekend of March 9-10, 2024.

Music performed in Studio A:
"Pass Me Not Old Gentle Savior" performed by the Sandy Bottom Boys, Jonah Powell on mandolin and fiddle, Crispin Campbell on cello and Angelo Meli on guitar.