Podcast
Classical Music Happy Hour
Hosted by WNYC, WQXR · EN
Join renowned pianist and host Emanuel Ax for Classical Music Happy Hour: a new podcast full of music, merriment, and conversation. Manny (Emanuel) talks with an eclectic lineup of composers, performers, and creative voices from the world of classical music and beyond. Each episode explores the guest’s life and career, dives into their favorite classical gems, includes music-inspired games, and folds in questions from listeners. The result is a podcast that feels like a relaxed gathering of friends who love classical music and want others to join the party. Grab a cocktail and press play on a podcast celebrating our love of all things classical music!
23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ray Chen - superstar violinist wants you to practice
2w ago00:35:04Summary readyViolinist and social media guru Ray Chen wraps up this season of Classical Music Happy Hour with an in-studio live performance. He chats with Manny about video games, performance anxiety, and his practice app Tonic. In our game, he joins Manny in our game called Is It a Composer or Is it Cheese? Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Ray Chen performed an excerpt from JS Bach’s Chaconne from Partitat No. 2 for Solo Violin, BWV 1004. Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, MWV O14: III. Allegro molto vivace Felix Mendelssohn Mariko Honda & Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra & Keith Clark Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118, No. 2 Andante teneramente Brahms Performed live in-studio by our host, Emanuel Ax Le sorcier: Overture François-André Danican Philidor Prague Sinfonia Orchestra & Christian Benda Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Paquito D’Rivera -Beef, Beans and Benny (Goodman)
3w ago00:28:15Summary readyPaquito D’Rivera is composer, saxophonist and clarinetist whose work spans classical, jazz and latin music. Born in Havana, Cuba, D’Rivera started his career playing with the National Theater Orchestra at the age of 10 and has been on stage for seven decades. During their chat, Paquito and Manny discuss what beef and beans have to do with Benny Goodman playing Carnegie Hall, what kind of music teacher his father was, and all things clarinet. He also joins Manny for an in-studio performance of one of his compositions. In our game, Manny and Paquito decide if a sound is made by a musical instrument or an animal. Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. The piece Paquito D’Rivera and Emanuel Ax perform is Contradanza for Bb Clarinet and Piano, composed by our guest, Paquito D’Rivera. 3 Movements from Petrushka: No. 3, La Semaine grasse Stravinsky Antonii Baryshevskyi, piano Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Symphonie Fantastique Op. 14, H.48, Ronde du Sabbat Berlioz Orchestre National de Lyon & Leonard Slatkin Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Yefim Bronfman - master of the keyboard
4w ago00:33:07Summary readyPianist Yefim Bronfman, “Fima,” chats with Manny about their decades-long friendship, their love of sports, their surprising anxiety around live broadcast performances. They’ll answer listeners’ questions about recovering from injuries and picking repertoire, even the stuff no one heard of! Fima and Manny work together in our Newly Dead game to identify odd ways composers have died. Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Piano Sonata No. 1 in C minor, Op. 8: II. Adagio Szymanowski Martin Roscoe, piano Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Sinfonia avanti il Barcheggio for Trumpet, 2 Violins and Continuo Stradella Niklas Eklund & Wasa Baroque Ensemble & Edward Tarr Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Armide, Act III Scene 4: Je responds a tes voeux Lully Stephanie Houtzeel & William Sharp Opera Lafayette Chorus & Opera Lafayette Orchestra & Ryan Brown Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Solomon, HWV 67: Pt. III: Air. Ev’ry sight these eyes behold Handel Nicola Wemyss & Barockorchester Frankfurt & Joachim Carlos Martini Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall. Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. The piece Paquito D’Rivera and Emanuel Ax perform is Contradanza for Bb Clarinet and Piano, composed by our guest, Paquito D’Rivera. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Isabel Hagen - likes a good viola joke
May 600:32:20Summary readyComedian Isabel Hagen is a classically trained violist, and a filmmaker. As a comedian, she has been featured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and was a New Face of Comedy at the Just for Laughs festival in Montréal. She talks to Manny about how the viola can be funny and make people love classical music by making them laugh! Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Harold en Italie, S. 472/R. 138: I. Harold aux montagnes Berlioz Philip Dukes & Piers Lane Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro non troppo Brahms Jenő Jandó & Brussels Philharmonic & Ali Rahbari Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio Beethoven Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra & Richard Edlinger Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. The Star-Spangled Banner John Stafford Smith Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy & Keith Brion Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.
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David Hyde Pierce - a.k.a. Niles Crane
Apr 2200:33:25Summary readyActor David Hyde Pierce has had a long career in film, television and the theater. He’s best known to listeners for his portrayal of Niles Crane on the sitcom "Frasier." He joins Manny to talk about his life and love of classical music and listen to some of their favorite recordings. They also play a game called “Animal or Instrument.” Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Fantasia in C Minor, Op. 80 "Choral Fantasy": Fantasia in C Minor, Op. 80 Beethoven Leon McCawley, piano City of London Choir Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Piano Trio No. 7 in B-Flat Major, Op. 97 "Archduke": III. Andante cantabile Beethoven Xyrion Trio Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73 "Emperor": I. Allegro Beethoven Boris Giltburg, piano Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra & Vasily Petrenko Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.
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Jeanine Tesori - from “Fun Home” to the Met Opera
Apr 1500:36:17Summary readyComposer Jeanine Tesori is a two time Tony Award winner, a two time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and in 2024, she became the first woman composer to open the Metropolitan Opera Opera season in its 139 year history. On this edition of CMHH she tells Manny about her time living in a lighthouse, about her love of Stravinsky, and why she decided not to be a doctor. Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. 3 Movements from Petrushka: No. 1, Danse russe Stravinsky Antonii Baryshevskyi, piano Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Carmen, Habanera Bizet Graciela Alperyn, mezzo-soprano Slovak Philharmonic Chorus Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Alexander Rahbari, conductor Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Turandot, SC 91: Nessun dorma (Live) Puccini Mario Malagnini Genoa Carlo Felice Theatre Orchestra & Donato Renzetti Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Carmen: Act I: Habañera: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle Bizet Marjana Lipovšek, mezzo-soprano Munich Radio Orchestra Giuseppe Patanè, conductor Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Boléro, M. 81 Ravel Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Adrian Leaper Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.
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Yo-Yo Ma - 53 years of friendship and duets
Apr 800:33:45Summary readyLive from Tanglewood, cellist Yo-Yo Ma chats with Manny about their long musical relationship and friendship. The two treat the live audience to a few musical performances, and they take questions from the audience about their burning musical questions, like “why does a piano have three pedals?” Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Music Performed in Today’s Episode: Lieder ohne Worte (Song without Words) Mendelssohn Yo-Yo Ma, Cello Emanuel Ax, Piano Ave Maria Schubert Yo-Yo Ma, Cello Emanuel Ax, Piano Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.
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John McWhorter - Lover of Language
Apr 100:31:44Summary readyColumbia University Professor of Linguistics John McWhorter, chats with Manny about swear words, Broadway, and tackles the conundrums of musical etymology. McWhorter also makes the case for the brilliant first movement of Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet in B minor. The two then square off in a game about famous classical pieces that bombed at their premieres. Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Music used in today’s episode includes: Strike Up the Band: The Man I Love (Arr. For orchestra) George Gershwin Richard Hayman Symphony Orchestra & Richard Hayman Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115, I. Allegro Brahms József Balogh, clarinet and Danubius Quartet Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-flat Major, Op. 31, No. 3 “The Hunt” Beethoven Joyce Yang, Piano Live Recording at The Greene Space Herzgewächse Arnold Schoenberg Alumni Musicians of the Bang on a Can Summer Festival Live Recording Symphony No. 5 in D Major, I. Preludio. Moderato. Allegro Vaughan Williams Kees Bakels and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Piano Sonata in B minor, S. 178 Liszt Juan Pérez Floristán, piano Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Violin Concerto in A Minor, Op. 53, B. 108: I. Allegro ma non troppo Dvorak Ilya Kaler, violin and Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra & Camilla Kolchinsky Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.
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John Adams - not the President
Mar 2500:37:51Summary readyRenowned American composer John Adams joins Manny to discuss his approach to opera composition, the stories behind his intriguingly titled works, and the time he was once mistaken for John Cage. Adams answers listener questions on the evolution of music and the emotional pull of minor keys. He also shares his love of Stravinsky and Handel. For our game segment, Adams puts his knowledge to the test as Manny quizzes him on outrageous performance directions. Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Music used in today’s episode includes: Italian Concerto in F Major BWV 971, III: Presto Bach András Schiff, Piano Live Recording at The Greene Space Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Var. 25 Bach Anne-Catherine Bucher, Harpsichord Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Var. 25 Bach Simone Dinnerstein, Piano Live Recording at The Greene Space Violin Sonata No. 21 in E minor, K. 304 Mozart Takako Nishizaki, Violin Jeno Jando, Piano Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38, I. Allegro non troppo Brahms Johannes Moser, Cello Michael Brown, Piano Liver Recording at The Greene Space Symphony No. 5, I. Trauermarsch Mahler Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Antoni Wit Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, IV. Finale–Adagio lamentoso Tchaikovsky Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Antoni Wit Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Tu Del Ciel Il Trionfo Del Tempo E Del Disinganno Handel Claron McFadden, Elisabeth Scholl, Joachim Carlos Martini, Junge Kantorei, Barockorchester Frankfurt, Nicholas Hariades & Peer Abilgaard Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Gnossienne No. 3 Satie Klara Kormendi, Piano Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Horn Concert No. 2 in E-Flat Major, K. 417, III. Rondo Allegro Mozart Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Michael Thompson Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.
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Gabriela Ortiz - Composer and Grammy Gal
Mar 1800:39:00Summary readyComposer Gabriela Ortiz joins Manny to talk about her grandfather’s surprising connection to Mahler, her own compositional process, and her enduring love for works by Debussy and Stravinsky. Listeners call in with tricky questions about folk music’s influence on classical works, new developments in orchestral instruments, and the realities of orchestra cliques. In our game segment, Manny puts Gabriela to the test—can she identify which famous composer was panned by critics? Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Music used in today’s episode includes: Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp minor, IV. Adagietto Mahler Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Antoni Wit Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Le Sacre du Printemps Stravinsky Brussels Philharmonic, Ali Rahbari Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. La Mer, L. 109, II. Jeux de vagues Debussy Brussels Philharmonic, Ali Rahbari Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Miroirs, M. 43 Une barque sur l'océan Ravel Francois-joel Thiollier, piano Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Estancia, Op. 8, Scene 5: Danza Final. Malambo Alberto Ginastera London Symphony Orchestra, Gisele Ben-Dor Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Romanian Folk Dances Bartok Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Live Recording Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36 Beethoven Danish Chamber Orchestra, Ádám Fischer Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.
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