ArtsPerforming Arts

@ the Symphony

WQED Multimedia

Insights and anecdotes from musicians, dancers, artists, actors and directors, as well as audience response.

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#238
Monday · 6 min
Mary Persin in Vienna
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra closed out their 2026 European Tour in Vienna with the 2nd of two concerts at the Konzerthaus on September 10, 2026. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's Vice-President of Artistic Planning during intermission to talk about the tour. She talks about the great repertoire on the tour; the audience reaction to the PSO concerts; how festivals are asking for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; and how it's special to end the tour in Vi
#237
Monday · 11 min
Anne-Sophie Mutter
Anne-Sophie Mutter played twice on the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's 2026 European Tour - in Lucerne and in Cologne - playing the Penderecki Metamorphosen, Violin Concerto No. 2. The piece was written for her by Penderecki with him Anne-Sophie had a close friendship. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham sat down with Anne-Sophie to talk about the concerto and lots more. She says the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is her favorite American orchestra. She recalls some Andre Previn memories; working with H
#236
Monday · 11 min
Robin Meloy Goldsby
Robin Meloy Goldsby grew up in Pittsburgh and her father played percussion on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. She studied at Chatham College and now lives in Cologne, Germany playing piano at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham stopped by the hotel to talk to Robin about her father; growing up in Pittsburgh; stories about her teacher Henry Spinelli; new books and CDs she's made; and the joy of seeing Manfred Honeck when he stops by when the orchestra is in Cologne!
#235
Monday · 17 min
Anne Martindale Williams
Principal Cello Anne Martindale Williams was hired by William Steinberg and made Principal by Andre Previn. After 50 years, she's retiring from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra after the recently concluded European Tour. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham had a conversation with Anne in Essen Germany about her extraordinary career; her past tour experiences; her plans for retirement and much more.
#234
September 11 · 11 min
PSO Tour Report - Morning - September 11, 2026
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra heads home from their 2026 European Tour after playing their final concert at the Vienna Konzerthaus last night. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham managed to interview several people about the last concert and the tour in particular. He spoke with Francisco Joubert Bernard – Second Bassoonist of the Louisville Orchestra and will be with the PSO in the 2026-2027 Season; guest pianist Alexandre Kantorow; Mary Persin – Vice President of Artistic Planning of the Pittsburg
#233
September 10 · 9 min
PSO Tour Report - Afternoon - September 10, 2026
That's a wrap! The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra played their final concert of the 2026 European Tour tonight at the Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria. Manfred Honeck conducted the Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 and Alexandre Kantorow played the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham called in with a live report after the concert where he said the audience reaction was tremendous. He also spoke with PSO Concertmaster David McCarroll in Essen, Germany to get his thoughts on the t
#231
September 9 · 10 min
PSO Tour Report - Afternoon - September 9, 2026
The end is near for the 2026 European Tour as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra plays their final two concerts at the Konzerhaus in Vienna, Austria - Music Director Manfred Honeck's home country. It was a busy day as the orchestra travelled from Essen to Dortmund to Vienna this morning and then gave their first concert tonight, which was then followed by some special chamber music performances afterwards. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham called in live with a report on the day, including the rousing
#230
September 9 · 7 min
PSO Tour Report - Morning - September 9, 2026
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Principal Cello Anne Martindale Williams has been with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for 50 years. This current European Tour is her last as she is retiring at the conclusion of the tour. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with Anne in Essen, Germany about her tremendous career; her thoughts on the current tour; how she won't be putting the cello away as she will still be teaching; and memories of previous tours, including a memorable interaction with a child when
#229
September 8 · 12 min
PSO Tour Report - Afternoon - September 8, 2026
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham checks in live from Essen, Germany after the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra played at the Philharmonie. Jim talks about the enthusiastic response from the sold out audience for their program of John Adams' Short Ride in a Fast Machine; Dvorak Symphony No. 9, and Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, with Alexandre Kantorow. Manfred Honeck conducted two encores. You also hear Jim's interview with Anne-Sophie Mutter in Lucerne, who played the Penderecki — Meta
#228
September 8 · 7 min
PSO Tour Report - Morning - September 8, 2026
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke to some concertgoers who saw the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's performance at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on September 7, 2026. He spoke with PSO Board Member Bill Rackoff and his wife Nancy; Stefanie Pashman, CEO of Allegheny Conference on Community Development; Paul Severns, who was a former employee of PPG and now lives in Amsterdam; and Christopher Wu, retired PSO Violinist who is playing with the orchestra on this tour.
#227
September 7 · 14 min
PSO Tour Report - Afternoon - September 7, 2026
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra had just concluded it's concert at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam when WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham called in for a post-concert report. He was joined by PSO Principal Contrabassoon Jim Rodgers who talked about the acoustics of the hall, and the reaction of the audience to a mostly American concert program; seeing Carlos Simon, the composer of Four Black American Dances, being at the concert to take a bow after the orchestra played his piece. We also heard Jim's c
#226
September 7 · 8 min
PSO Tour Report - Morning - September 7, 2026
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra arrives in Amsterdam to play a concert at the famous Concertgebouw. Manfred Honeck will conduct Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 and Four Black American Dances by Carlos Simon. Augustin Hadelich will play the Barber Violin Concerto. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham called in to the QED morning show from Amsterdam with former Pittsburgher and now Amsterdam resident Albert Manders who will be attending the concert. We also hear Jim's interview with Neil Berntsen who is retir
#223
September 6 · 5 min
PSO Tour Report - Sunday September 6, 2026
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra plays at the famed Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on Monday September 7th. Pittsburgher Albert Manders has lived in Amsterdam for many years. He spoke with Jim Cunningham about the hall, the acoustics, the unique way for the conductor to get on stage, and much more.
#225
September 5 · 11 min
PSO Tour Report - Saturday September 5, 2026
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra had a well deserved off day in Lucerne after performing 2 concerts at the Kultur & Kongresszentrum. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham called in with a live report to talk about the 2nd concert featuring Anne-Sophie Mutter. He managed to get an interview with her which will be heard on a later tour report. He also mentioned seeing many concert goers in formal dress for the concert. The report also features an interview with former Assistant Concertmaster Mark Huggins,
#222
September 4 · 15 min
PSO Tour Report - Morning - September 4, 2026
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham checks in live from Lucerne after the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performed their first of two concerts at the Kultur and Kongresszentrum last night. Jim tells Bryan Sejvar that the stars were out to see the PSO, including James Galway! Jim spoke with PSO President and CEO Melia Tourangeau about the tour so far and what she wants Pittsburghers to know about this tour. There is another concert in Lucerne tonight and then a much needed day off before traveling to
#221
September 3 · 10 min
PSO Tour Report - Morning - September 3, 2026
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra played their second of two performances at the Elbphilharmonie on September 2, 2026. Manfred Honeck conducted an American-themed concert with Carlos Simon's 4 Black American Dances and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9. Augustin Hadelich played the Barber Violin Concerto, with "Traumerie" by Robert Schumann as an encore. In this Tour Report, CEO of Deutsche Klassik introduces the Pittsburgh Symphony; WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham chats with Jeremy Black, Principal 2nd Violi
#220
September 2 · 18 min
PSO Tour Report - Morning - September 2, 2026
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham calls in to the QED Morning Show with Anna Singer live from Hamburg, Germany. The Pittsburgh Symphony plays at the Elbphilharmonie later today for their 2nd concert with Carlos Simon's Four Black Dances; Barber's Violin Concerto with Augustin Hadelich, and the Dvorak Symphony No. 9. Jim talks about last night's concert with Alexandre Kantorow playing the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 and the Shostakovich Symphony No. 5. Jim is joined by his son - Jim the 4th - who is
#219
September 1 · 6 min
PSO Tour Report - Afternoon - September 1, 2026
In Warsaw, Poland, WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with PSO Principal Horn Bill Caballero and PSO Principal Oboe Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida. They were joined by Roman Markowicz - a Polish-born classical pianist, chamber musician, and long-time music critic based in New York, who says the PSO has never sounded better. Gabriel Czopka, Principal Horn of the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, has known Bill for years and said the Pittsburgh Symphony's performance in Warsaw was "pure beauty."
#218
September 1 · 20 min
PSO Tour Report - Morning - September 1, 2026
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham calls in live from Hamburg, Germany to the QED Morning Show with Anna Singer. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will play their first of two concerts at the Elbphilharmonie tonight. Jim tells Anna about the Hall where the symphony will play, and talks about the highlights from the Warsaw concerts. He mentions what some of the musicians have been up to as well as Jim's side trip to Berlin.
#217
August 31 · 8 min
PSO Tour Report - Morning - August 31, 2026
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham reports from Warsaw, Poland. He spoke with Principal Tuba Craig Knox. Craig talks about how nice it is to perform in a new city (the PSO has not been to Poland since 1989); the audience reaction to their performance and how he was able to see his teacher at the concert. Jim also spoke with Music Director Manfred Honeck who was pleased with how the orchestra has performed the first few concerts of the tour. He also talked about how he came up with the program for th

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