San Antonio and the Hill Country's Classical Music Community Takes Center Stage
Classical Spotlight brings the lastest news about concerts and performances from San Antonio and the Hill Country's vibrant classical music community. Hosted by John Clare, the program showcases the week's upcoming performances with music and interviews with local artists, conductors, and nationally-renowned classical music performers.
Airs:Thursdays at 1 p.m. on KPAC 88.3 FM and KTXI 90.1 FM in the Hill Country
About John Clare
John Clare was perhaps the only Inuit growing up in Derby, Kansas. He was also most likely the only one who had the Bohm Beethoven Symphonies, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, The Bangles’ Different Light and Alan Parsons Project’s Eye in the Sky, besides lots of Vivaldi, Copland and Berlioz on LP.
With an award-winning radio career that spans over 10 years and an intense passion for classical music, Clare gives voice to the local classical music scene. A former broadcaster for NPR, he has previously worked with Voice of America, the Canadian Broadcast Corporation and stations in Kansas, Nevada, and California. He previously was a broadcaster for WITF 89.5 FM in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
As a skilled violinist, Clare is experienced on the other side of the microphone, having played in concerts across the United States, including performances with famed tenors Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli. Clare is a former member of the Nevada Chamber Symphony, Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society, Glen Willow Symphony Orchestra, Shreveport Symphony, Abilene Philharmonic and Wichita Symphony Orchestra. An avid chamber music lover, John founded the Las Vegas Chamber Music Society in 2004.
Currently, Clare serves as executive director of SOLI Chamber Ensemble and on the board of the American Music Center in New York City, besides playing violin in the Mid Texas Symphony.
January 19, 2012 · As part of the citywide Beethoven Festival, the Philharmonic Orchestra from YOSA celebrates with the only Concerto performance taking place. -more-
January 12, 2012 · Violinist and Dallas Symphony Assistant Concertmaster Gary Levinson kicks off Musical Bridges with Beethoven's 7th and 8th sonatas. -more-
January 12, 2012 · San Antonio Opera has canceled their February production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Board President Jorge del Alamo discusses the situation and decision to halt further productions until a balanced budget from previous productions is met. -more-
January 5, 2012 ·The first official Beethoven Festival event gets underway with Camerata San Antonio. Ken Freudigman stopped by the TPR studios and spoke with John Clare about the series. -more-
January 5, 2012 ·Don Braswell’s tenor group raises awareness and funds for Haven for Hope. The three San Antonio tenors of Gli Unici stopped by the studios and shared their story and why they are singing. -more-
January 5, 2012 ·Recorded this last year in Arizona, Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk team up for three French sonatas. -more-
Additional Featured Performance
San Antonio International Piano Competition | Jeffrey Swann
Saturday, January 7, 2012 | 7:30 p.m. Venue: Ruth Taylor Recital Hall, Trinity University Admission: $20 | ticketmaster.com
San Antonio International Piano Competition | Naoko Takao
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 | 7:30 p.m. Venue: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Admission: $20 | ticketmaster.com
Arts at Coker | Nancy Zhou, violin Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. Venue:Coker United Methodist Church, San Antonio Admission: Free
December 22, 2011 · The president and violinist of the Vienna Philharmonic, Dr. Clemens Hellsberg spoke with John Clare about the line-up this year, that will include a surprise work, never played before on a New Year’s concert. -more-
December 22, 2011 · There's a chance to hear all nine symphonies by Ludwig van Beethoven in early 2012, plus a lot of his chamber works from sonatas for piano, violin, cello and more! -more-
December 22, 2011 · The new CD "Triple Doubles" presents three recent double concertos, works composed for violinist Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson. -more-
December 15, 2011 · Mark Rogers and John Clare preview the Heart of Texas concert Band's upcoming concert that has everything from Mel Torme’s "Christmas Song" to Leroy Anderson’s "Sleigh Ride."
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December 15, 2011 ·There are a couple of performances of the San Antonio Choral Society’s "A Feast of Carols" this week. Conductor Jennifer Seighman stopped by the TPR studios with the latest from the choral society.
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December 15, 2011 · As a preview for Holiday in Blue, the Horizon Saxophone Quartet from the USAF Band of the West came to Texas Public Radio. Captain Michael Hoerber spoke with host John Clare and shared the Horizon Saxophone Quartet in some holiday and classical selections.
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Additional Featured Performance
San Antonio Symphony | Holiday Pops Friday & Saturday, December 16 & 17, 2011 | 8:00 p.m. Venue: Majestic Theatre Admission: $10-63
San Antonio Symphony | Holiday Family Concert Sunday, December 18, 2011 | 2:30 p.m. Venue: Laurie Auditorium Admission: $14-19
ArtsSA | Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Friday, December 16, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Venue: Lila Cockrell Theatre Admission: $20-75 | artssanantonio.com
December 8, 2011 · First Presbyterian San Antonio concludes their Midday Noel 2011, with the inspiring sounds of Craig, Bernita, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Elliott and Reginald Cox. They sing gospel songs and selections for the holidays. -more-
December 8, 2011 · The Mid-Texas Symphony celebrates the season with a program of holiday favorites featuring the Mid-Texas Symphony Chorus and a Children's Chorus from the Seguin area. -more-
December 8, 2011 · A gift from the San Antonio Symphony Players Association aims to help the hungry this Christmas. Pastor Dave Colett from Coker United Methodist, Michael Guerra from the Food Bank, and violinist Craig Sorgi discuss the concert. -more-
December 8, 2011 · Camerata San Antonio brings a bit of holiday music from the UK with “An English Christmas.” Ken Freudigman stopped by the TPR studios to spread some cheer and talk about the three concerts on the line-up this week. -more-
December 1, 2011 · Ruth Moreland, artistic director and founder of Voci di Sorelle, loves finding new and old selections for the season for their annual holiday concert in Kerrville. -more-
November 24, 2011 ·First Presbyterian San Antonio starts their Midday Noel 2011, with "All in the Family" and the musical virtuosity of FPC’s musicians. -more-
November 17, 2011 ·Christoph Huebner, violist and artist director of the Walden Chamber Players, describes the trio, quartet and quintet on their program. -more-
November 17, 2011 ·Cellist Emanuel Wehse says the Morgenstern Trio concert will be tasty this weekend. He says the San Antonio concert is a great warm-up for their complete Beethoven Trios concerts this spring. -more-
November 10, 2011 ·This weekend, concert organist Alan Morrison makes his first trip ever to San Antonio to perform at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Sunday. -more-
November 10, 2011 · Ruth Moreland, artistic director and soprano with the Copperleaf Quintet, thinks there’s nothing like performing in an art gallery. -more-
November 10, 2011 · Marguerite McCormick, the founder and director of Children's Chorus of San Antonio, praises the after-school program and the music making. -more-
November 3, 2011 · Bassist and composer Edgar Meyer was just on "The Colbert Report." He speaks with John Clare about the residency he’ll hold with YOSA musicians, on top of playing two concerti Monday night. -more-
November 3, 2011 · Composer Missy Mazzoli was thinking about her dad when she wrote a new work, These Worlds in Us. She also told host John Clare that she is tickled that young performers are playing her work here in San Antonio. -more-
November 3, 2011 · Gerald Self is a busy guy, from producing Musica Antiqua, teaching, performing and building harpsichords. Hear how Gerald will multitask by doing a live taping of his radio show and play recorder this Sunday. -more-
November 3, 2011 · Over lunch, music director Sebastian Lang-Lessing speaks to John Clare about the all American pops program this weekend…how it relates to Sebastian, the Boston Pops and challenging audiences to take classics with popular tunes, and vice versa! -more-
November 3, 2011 · Over lunch, music director Sebastian Lang-Lessing speaks to John Clare about the all American pops program this weekend…how it relates to Sebastian, the Boston Pops and challenging audiences to take classics with popular tunes, and vice versa! -more-
Additional Featured Performances
San Antonio International Piano Competition presents Kasandra Keeling performing works of Scarlatti, Mozart and Chopin on Saturday, November 5 at 7:00 PM, at the home of Drs. Jan Puckett and John Richardson, San Antonio. The recital will be followed by a Meet the Artist Reception. Tickets are $75 per person and include the recital and reception.
The Arts at Coker are presenting organist Dong-ill Shin on Sunday, November 6 at 3 p.m. in a free concert. He played in San Antonio two years ago and is back to celebrate Coker’s 25 anniversary. The Alamo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is a co-presenter. Dong-ill Shin won the prestigious 20th Grand Prix de Chartres in 2006 and is also a prize winner of many international organ competitions such as Musashino-Tokyo International Organ Competition and Great Britain’s St. Albans International Organ Competition, among others. He is featured often on radio throughout Japan and Europe, concertizes throughout the world and has appeared at the world’s most prestigious organ festivals. Dong-ill has given recitals at many of the most famous venues for organ: Notre Dame de Paris, London’s Victoria Concert Hall, Washington Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York to name just a few. A reception honoring the artist follows the concert in Wesley Hall.
Olmos Ensemble
Monday, Nov. 7 - "VARIETY! WINDS AND STRINGS, THOUGHTFUL AND HUMOROUS"
W.A. Mozart...........................................Quartet for oboe and strings
Alexander Glazunov....................................Idyll, for horn and strings
Jean Francaix...........................................Octet for winds and strings
First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio, Gill Road and Beryl Drive, 7150 IH-10 West. (On the outbound access road just north of Crossroads Boulevard.) All concerts this season will begin at 7:30 pm.
Tuesday Music Club
Nov. 8, 2011 | 2:00 pm
Laurel Heights United Methodist Church
A lyric tenor with an italianate timbre and a wide vocal range, Daniel Weeks has garnered praise from critics and audiences alike. “Weeks’ voice soared through the score, always with a crystalline tone,” observed The Louisville Courier. And the Columbus Dispatch noted that he “satisfied the ears again with impeccable phrasing and intonation. He has a lovely, freely resonant tenor.” His varied career encompasses the opera stage, oratorios with orchestras, recitals and a teaching position at the University of Louisville.
October 27, 2011 · Basel Sarweh is the new cello instructor at University of the Incarnate Word. He stopped by the TPR studios to talk about his upcoming recital, play some excerpts and introduce himself to South Texas. -more-
October 27, 2011 ·Sharon Isbin shares what went into her new recording as she talks with John Clare from the studios at Carnegie Hall. She performs November 18 in Houston with Mark O’Connor. -more-
October 27, 2011 · Lara Downes' latest release "13 WAYS of Looking at the Goldberg" is a compilation of new music inspired by Bach. Lara talks about making the recording and performs next February in El Paso. -more-
Friday, October 21 , 2011 | 7:30 p.m. Venue: Boerne First United Methodist Admission: $8 - $20 | Tickets
Sunday, October 23 , 2011 | 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Christ Episcopal Church (San Antonio) Admission: $8 - $20 | Tickets
Interview with James Morrow of Ensemble VII
October 20, 2011 · John Clare interviews James Morrow of Ensemble VIII,a Rennaisance and Baroque vocal music group performing at San Fernando Cathedral this weekend.
October 13, 2011 · “It’s something that I’ve been preparing for a lifetime,” says Emilio Colón on the task of performing “The Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello” by J. S. Bach. Colón narrates a story of life and nature and all the emotions that go with it. He describes a “quest of a lifetime” in which he is still exploring the meanings. He performs this Saturday at the Round Top Festival Institute. -more-
October 13, 2011 · "Elegischer Gesang" is among the works performed by the San Antonio Choral Society in their 9/11 Memorial Concert which opens their season this Sunday. The program also includes "Lux Aeterna," a choral setting of "Nimrod" from Edward Elgar’s "Enigma Variations," movements from the requiems by Gabriel Fauré and Maurice Duruflé as well as Randall Thompson’s "Testament of Freedom." -more-
October 13, 2011 · Soprano and Artistic Director Ruth Moreland speaks with John Clare about the second full concert season of the Copperleaf Quintet. They open with a concert this Saturday at the Little Church at La Villita.
October 13, 2011 · Daniel Avshalomov, viola for the American String Quartet, speak with John Clare about their program for Sunday's concert and their collaboration with Joan tower.
October 6, 2011 ·In this interview with john Clare, Sebastian Lang-Lessing’s eloquent enthusiasm for the San Antonio Symphony's upcoming season is infectious. -more-
October 6, 2011 · The Children's Chorus opens their season with a perfoming debut of the younger choirs, the training choirs in a brief, intimate performance, the Family and Friends Concert. CCSA's training choirs — Junior Chorus, Junior Chorus North and Choristers — will make their concert season debut along with the youngest singers, the seven- and eight-year-old members of the Prelude Choir, on this fall family favorite. -more-
October 6, 2011 ·Voci di Sorelle perfoms this Sunday in Kerrville. "Sacred Tranquility: World Music For The Soul" has all twelve female members involved. They sing, dance and play percussion as well. John Clare speaks with founder and director Ruth Moreland says the program finds inspiration in world music and spiritual peace.
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September 29, 2011 ·This weekend in Austin, mandolin player Mike Marshall joins the Turtle Island Quartet for a unique repertoire that includes American fiddle and folk music, modern and vintage jazz, Latin American and South Indian music, the myriad folk and classical traditions of Europe, and beyond. John Clare speaks with Mark Summer, the quartet's cellist and a founding member.
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September 29, 2011 · Anya Grokhovski, founder of Musical Bridges Around the World, describes their the first concert: an eclectic afternoon ranging from an opera that you know because of the movie "Amadeus" and local India musicians and dancers.
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September 29, 2011 ·Water is the theme for the San Antonio Chamber Choir’s 2011-12 season. It's a topic near and dear to the hearts of people living in South Texas. The choir's first concert, this Sunday, is an eclectic mix of pieces, each touching on the subject of water in some way or another. John Clare speaks with Scott McPherson, the founding Artistic Director/Conductor.
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September 29, 2011 ·There’s a rich tradition of community and factory bands in the United Kingdom and a lot of music to show for it. This Sunday, the Heart of Texas Concert Band raises the Union Jack and presents "Rule, Britannia!" John Clare talks with conductor Mark Rogers about the program.
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September 29, 2011 ·Voci di Sorelle perfoms this Sunday in Kerrville. "Sacred Tranquility: World Music For The Soul" has all twelve female members involved. They sing, dance and play percussion as well. John Clare speaks with founder and director Ruth Moreland says the program finds inspiration in world music and spiritual peace.
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September 29, 2011 ·John Clare speaks with Jack Fishman from the San Antonio Symphony about the upcoming Beethoven Festival and the Locate Ludwig Scavenger Hunt.
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September 22, 2011 ·The San Antonio Symphony season begins next month, and it’s no secret that contract negotiations have been contentious between the musicians’ union negotiating committee and the Symphony Society. John Clare speaks with three members of the San Antonio Symphony Players Association: principal tuba Lee Hip, violinist Craig Sorgi, and violinist Renia Piotrowski-Shterenberg. -more-
September 22, 2011 · New to San Antonio, Joseph Causby is the new Director of Music at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. He opens St. Mark’s 20th anniversary season with an organ recital this Sunday.
September 22, 2011 · As the city’s Beethoven Festival approaches, John Clare speaks with Tom Dooling, Minister of Music for First Presbyterian Church San Antonio (FPCSA), about the season’s first Beethoven events. This Sunday, in collaboration with members of the Trinity Chorale from Trinity Baptist Church, the FPCSA Sanctuary Choir will perform Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture” and “Mass in C” in a concert featuring orchestra and professional soloists. -more-
September 22, 2011 · Texas Public Radio’s Nathan Cone makes no secret about being a big Disney fan. When the touring production of “Mary Poppins” made its way to San Antonio, he leapt at the chance to interview Disney legend Richard Sherman, who along with his brother Robert, wrote over 150 songs for Disney movies, TV shows, and theme parks. The two brothers won a pair of Oscars each for their work on “Mary Poppins.” -more-
September 15, 2011 · Next Monday, the Olmos Ensemble opens its 17th season with “Summer Music at the End of Summer.” In this interview with John Clare, Artistic Director Mark Ackerman emphasizes that while in the past, the ensemble performed on Tuesdays, this season’s performances occur on “Monday, Monday, Monday.” -more-
September 15, 2011 · On Friday, the South Texas Jazz Quartet celebrates the release of their debut album, “Live at Bohanan’s.” Conductor and pianist Dr. Brent Watkins and trumpet player Logan Keese talk with John Clare about the band and recording the album live at the Bar at Bohanan’s. -more-
September 8, 2011 · Camerata San Antonio premiers its ninth season with "Alla Zingarese," a night inspired by the lively music of the nomadic gypsy culture. -more-
September 8, 2011 ·Carolyn True is a music professor at Trinity University. Brad Beckman teaches at the University of North Texas. Together they are The Bradley Beckman and Carolyn True Duo, two seasoned performers who specialize in piano duets and piano duos, sharing the same keyboard or complementing each other on their own instruments. -more-
September 1, 2011 ·Youth Orchestras of San Antonio packs its 2011-12 season with many exciting programs. Next June, they will perform across the United Kingdom just before the Summer Olympics. Music Director Troy Peters stopped by the TPR Studios to tell us all about it. -more-
September 1, 2011 ·The Mid-Texas Symphony begins its 34th season with “America the Beautiful” next Sunday, September 11. David Mairs, Gene Dowdy, Pat Schofield and Ellen Salyers came by the TPR studios to talk about the group’s role in South Texas and their upcoming season. -more-
August 11, 2011 ·This week ends the first ever Mozart Festival Texas at University of Incarnate Word. The founder of the new classical summer celebration is Terence Frazor. He spoke to John Clare about the grand finale this Saturday evening, August 13. It includes the Piano Concerto #9 and Symphony #36 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. -more-
July 14, 2011 ·Things are heating up for the 15th annual Cactus Pear Music Festival this summer. Host John Clare spent some time this week meeting the YAP musicians like Ellen Pavliska, Festival Education Director Craig Sorgi, and Founder Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio. -more-
July 14, 2011 ·Next week starts the first ever Mozart Festival Texas at University of the Incarnate Word. The founder of the new classical summer celebration is Terence Frazor, and he spoke to John Clare about the next four Saturday evening concerts, from July 23 to August 13, which include orchestral and chamber music selections by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. -more-
July 7, 2011 ·The 15th Annual Cactus Pear Music Festival gets underway this evening in San Antonio and continues through July 17th. Festival founder and director Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio gives us the inside scoop about week one. -more-
San Antonio International Piano Competition | Jeffrey Swann
San Antonio Symphony | Holiday Pops
