Classical

Andre Watts was famous as a piano prodigy by the age of 16. He was born in Germany to a Hungarian mother and an African American father, and moved to Philadelphia at the age of 8. He joins the show to discuss his life and career.

Richard Stoltzman is a clarinet virtuoso. He was the first solo clarinetist to be presented in Carnegie Hall in 1982. Stoltzman is known for his unusual concerts, incorporating jazz and wearing informal clothing. He joins the show to discuss his life and career.

Gary Graffman is a piano virtuoso who recently lost control of his right hand due to an injury incurred while playing years earlier. Before his injury, Graffman was known for his interpretation of Romantic composers. Graffman is currently learning and performing piano concertos for the left hand, teaching, and focusing on his art collecting hobby. Graffman also wrote a memoir "I Really Should Be Practicing."

Yo-Yo Ma is a cellist who is one of the most prominent classical musicians today. Born in Paris and raised in New York, Ma's first teacher was his father. Ma graduated from high school at 15 and studied at Juliard for a year before attending Harvard. Ma joins the show to discuss his life and career.

Dennis Russell Davies is a conductor known for his dedication to performing new music and innovative programs. Davies is the co-founder and principal conductor for the American Composers Orchestra and the conductor of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center of New York, the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Davies lives in West Germany and is about to assume the position of the General Music Director of the City of Bonn.

Internationally acclaimed conductor Lorin Maazel is in town to conduct a performance at the Spectrum. Maazel joins the show to discuss his life and career.

Leon Bates was groomed for a career as a concert pianist from childhood. He joins the show to discuss his life and career.

Composer Richard Wernick works with the Philadelphia Orchestra to expand their repertoire and incorporate contemporary works by living composers.

Fresh Air jazz critic Francis Davis reviews a new recording of a 1924 arrangement of the Gershwin classic, which emphasizes the piece's jazzier elements.

Rilling has devoted his life to performing Baroque music, focusing on sacred music and the compositions of J.S. Bach.

In his new book, music writer Joseph Horowitz considers the rise of Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini, whose popularity grew during wartime. Many of Toscanini's contemporaries fell out of favor because of their German heritage.

Artur Schnabel is often considered an intellectual musician, but critic Lloyd Schwartz believes the pianist's skill lies in his emotional sensitivity. The Arabesque label has recently reissued a number of Schnabel's recordings on CD, including a collection of Beethoven concertos.

Despite the current popularity of minimalist music, classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz believes that Ellott Carter, whose work never shies away from complexity, is the greatest living composer.

Composer John Harbison recently won the Pulitzer Prizer. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new CD featuring songs inspired by the poet Mirabai.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz recommends a CD reissue of a 1971 performance of the celebrated opera.

Adams is often associated with other minimalist composers like Philip Glass and Steve Reich. His new album, The Chairman Dances, features parts of his new opera-in-progress called Nixon in China.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording of Arnold Schoenberg's piano and violin concertos, both conducted by Pierre Boulez. Schwartz says listening to this music at home may be the best way for audiences to get accustomed to atonality.

Larry Adler grew up in Baltimore and started playing the Vaudeville circuit as a teenager. He later pursued classical music, even though no repertoire existed for his instrument. Blacklisted during the McCarthy era, Adler moved to England, but still returns to the States to perform.

Two new CDs from the CBS Masterworks series showcase conductor Pierre Boulez's interpretations of classic works by the 20th century composers. Critic Lloyd Schwartz recommends them both.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says that John Gibbons' new record of Bach's music showcases the performer's mastery of the harpsichord.