@ the Symphony

The Pittsburgh Symphony Association volunteers have tirelessly raised well over a million dollars to keep the music playing. The effort continues with Christmas On Broadway at the Holiday House Tour in Shadyside November 22-24 and November 29- December 1. Over thirty musicians from the area including Pittsburgh Symphony members, Mendelssohn Choir singers and many others will add to the holiday mood. There are candlelight tours available and parking can be arranged nearby. Long time volunteer and Musician Liaison Christine Thompson joined Past Symphony Association President Diane Unkovic and Jim Cunningham with details. They also discussed the Mendelssohn Choir Faure Requiem, Handel Messiah and Brahms' Song of Destiny which will be performed in a very busy holiday season with multiple Holiday Pops programs put together with Byron Stripling conducting, playing the trumpet, and singing. Diane Unkovic discusses her husband 's new book "The Fragility of China: Breaking Points of an Invincible Regime" and the Pittsburgh Symphony visits to China. Christine Thompson gave on update on her husband, E flat clarinet Thomas Thompson who retired after fifty years in the orchestra but recently had the saxophone out once more for a bit of Pictures at an Exhibition. Questions about the Holiday House Tour can be sent to [email protected] and there is more information at the Symphony Association website. Tickets are $50 in advance and $55 at the event.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Classical Music Critic Jeremy Reynolds stopped by the WQED-FM location after the live broadcast of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on November 15, 2024. He gave a glowing review of the orchestra, Lorna McGhee and conductor Jacob Joyce. PSO President and CEO Melia Tourangeau also stopped by to speak with Jim Cunningham about the concert; the orchestra trying to get out into more communities and upcoming concerts she's looking forward to seeing.

During intermission of WQED-FM's live broadcast of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Jim Cunningham spoke with the soloist in the Rautavaara Flute Concerto - PSO Principal Flute Lorna McGhee; PSO Associate Conductor Jacob Joyce, who found out he was going to be conducting the concert just a few hours before showtime; and PSO VP of Artistic Planning Mary Persin about some of the exciting concerts taking place at Heinz Hall for the holidays.

WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with WQED President and CEO Jason Jedlinski and former WQED Board Chair Dr. Millie Myers prior the November 15th, 2024 Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert. They spoke about what they were looking forward to in tonight's concert, as well as upcoming initiatives at WQED.

Members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra joined WQED-FM live on Public Radio Music Day (October 23, 2024), to play three pieces from Stravinsky's Tale of the Soldier (Histoire du soldat). They played The Soldier's March, Airs by the Stream, the Little Concert. Anna Singer talked with Douglas Rosenthal, David Sogg, and Jeremy Branson about the piece and the group. Members of the group included: Ron Samuels, clarinet; David Sogg, bassoon; Neal Berntsen, trumpet; Douglas Rosenthal, trombone; Jeremy Branson, percussion; Dennis O'Boyle, second violin; John Moore, bass.