Classical music

LSO wraps up season with Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff

Current State — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:41:44 +0000

Tonight, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra wraps up its season with a program featuring music from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto Number One. Current State's Melissa Benmark caught up with conductor Timothy Muffitt for a preview.

Current State #70 | April 19, 2013

Current State — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:39:33 +0000

Trumpeter Alison Balsom plays Hill Auditorium this weekend

Current State — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:54:58 +0000

Trumpeter Alison Balsom is one of the world’s premiere performers on the classical stage and on major recording labels. She comes to Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium Saturday, April 20th. WKAR's Peter Whorf previews her concert.

MSU cello professor Suren Bagratuni plays live

Current State — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:24:59 +0000

Violinist Anne Sophie Mutter on life and music

Current State — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:27:17 +0000

Violinist Anne Sophie Mutter is one of the true superstars of classical music. Since her first concerts on the world’s most prestigious stages, Mutter has inspired audiences around the globe with recitals, concerto performances and dozens of recordings.

Ann Arbor high school orchestra wins top national award

Current State — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:34:51 +0000

The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Chamber Orchestra was selected as one of 15 orchestras to play at the 2013 National Orchestra Festival Competition held at the American String Teacher’s Association conference in Providence, Rhode Island. Last week, the Pioneer Chamber Orchestra won first place in the string division and was named Grand Champion of the entire event.

Current State #40 | March 8, 2013

Current State — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 23:43:46 +0000

Today on Current State: Gay marriage in Michigan; a debate on the merits of "Common Core" education; MSU men's basketball with the Detroit Free Press' Joe Rexrode; the new realities of the publishing world; Ann Arbor teen named to inagural Carnegie Hall youth orchestra; MSU hockey playoffs; Interlochen Radio at Elderly Instruments this weekend.

Ann Arbor teen set to join inaugural Carnegie Hall youth orchestra

Current State — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 23:04:36 +0000

Current State #35 | March 1, 2013

Current State — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 23:27:43 +0000

On today's Current State: Detroit's financial future, a local practitioner of the ancient Japanese art form called mokuhanga, sports with the Detroit Free Press' Joe Rexrode, the MSU football program's legacy of racial integration, Friday fish fries and a preview of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra's next performance.

Lansing Symphony Orchestra performs this weekend

Current State — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:47:52 +0000

WKAR’s Melissa Benmark talked to Gaber about his composition, and checked in with LSO conductor Timothy Muffitt to hear about the rest of the concert.

LSO Plays Music Of New World

Melissa Benmark — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 05:00:01 +0000

The Lansing Symphony Orchestra’s MasterWorks 5 concert is Saturday night at Wharton Center. Music of Barber and Dvorak is on the program, as well as a piece called “Ancestral Waters” by Brian Gaber. WKAR’s Melissa Benmark checked in with LSO conductor Timothy Muffitt for a preview of the concert.

A 'Downton Abbey' music special preview

Current State — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:25:36 +0000

Current State #20 | February 8, 2013

Current State — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 22:24:40 +0000

Today on Current State: State Budget Director John Nixon and State Representative Sam Singh discuss Governor Snyder's budget proposal, sports with Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press, the largest LGBT college student conference comes to Lansing this weekend, Kirk Cousins on his NFL rookie year, and a breakdown of the Grammy nominees in classical music.

WKAR’s music team breaks down Classical Music Grammy nominees

Current State — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:17:37 +0000

The 55th Grammy Awards ceremony takes place Sunday night at 8pm on CBS. Millions of eyes and ears will be turned to some of the world’s most popular music that evening.

MSU Symphony Orchestra’s latest program includes Beethoven, Copland

Current State — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:07:44 +0000

The MSU Symphony Orchestra’s next concert is Friday, Feb. 8, at the Wharton Center. They’ll play Beethoven’s First Symphony, music from Aaron Copland’s “Billy the Kid,” and “The Chairman Dances” by John Adams. WKAR’s Melissa Benmark speaks with MSU Director of Orchestras Kevin Noe about the the program, starting with the Beethoven, which has a beginning that almost sounds like an ending.

Current State #13 | January 30, 2013

Current State — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:45:14 +0000

Today on Current State: Lansing City Council President Carol Wood, business start-ups with the NEO Center, serving the local homeless population, and a preview of the BBC's Concert Orchestra performance at the Wharton Center.

Current State #10 | January 25, 2013

Current State — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 22:28:08 +0000

Today on Current State: Newly elected State Representative Tom Leonard, Prima Civitas' "Young Innovators" competition, the Lansing-made Chevy Traverse at the Detroit Auto Show, and a classical music concert guide.

Dec. 7 | What's New on WKAR

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 12:34:31 +0000

2-4pm Friday Dec. 5 on 90.5 WKAR
Lansing Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Simon Bolivar Youth orchestra, 'The Goat Rodeo Sessions.'

Dec. 5 | Ralph Votapek on MSU Faculty Recital Series

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:48:12 +0000

7:30pm Wednesday, December 5 on 90.5 WKAR
The premiere radio broadcast of the MSU Faculty Recital Series features College of Music professor emeritus Ralph Votapek, performing works by Haydn, Schumann, Prokofiev, and Ravel.

Rayl To Conduct 'From London To Germany"

Melissa Benmark — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 05:00:01 +0000

The Lansing Symphony Orchestra's next concert features a collaboration with choirs from the MSU College of Music. WKAR's Melissa Benmark spoke with MSU Director of Choral Programs, David Rayl, about the program, which features Brahms' "German Requiem" and Haydn's Symphony No. 104.