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ABOUT CLASSICAL DISCOVERIES
Even when I was young I always had the dream of both programming and hosting a radio show. Although I loved television as a child I was more addicted to radio. I was given my first transistor radio in December 1962 and was immediately hooked. Perhaps because the little radio was “mine”. I could put the earplug in and be in my own world. My world at the time was WABC in New York. Yes, it was a top 40 station but a most important one featuring the voices of Dan Ingram, Cousin Brucie and company.
I became very much interested in classical music in 1966. There was always great music playing in my home when I was growing up. In addition, I was taken to the Young Peoples Concerts in New York featuring Leonard Bernstein who was probably the greatest inspiration to me in my love for music. In my opinion, there will never be anyone like him again. I consider myself lucky to have grown up during his time.
At the end of 1966 I started listening to Classical radio and buying classical records. My favorite station was WQXR, which I listened to whenever the radio went on. I will never forget the great voices of Bill Strauss, Melvin Elliott and company on that station.
I later got hooked on WNCN and also to the DeKoven concert featuring the wonderful baroque music aired by Seymour DeKoven, who to me is still the most unique and interesting classical DJ ever to hit the airwaves. He was very enthusiastic and quite outspoken. I owe my interest in baroque music to him.
Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:30 AM on WPRB 103.3FM - Princeton, NJ
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My dream of both programming and hosting a radio show began in May of 1997 when there was an opening at WPRB in Princeton. Even though the position is that of a volunteer I enjoy every moment in both preparing and presentimg the selections on the air.
My first programs included more of a mix of the familiar with the unfamiliar and stayed that way for the show’s first months. The response to the program was very positive The listeners especially liked the rarely heard early music and the selections of recent works. At the beginning of 1998 I decided to play little 19th century music since that was the strong point of other stations. “Classical Discoveries” then became a program featuring rarely heard selections from all periods with an emphasis on the very old and the very new. It is truly amazing how much worthwhile early and new music is available on compact disc that is rarely, if ever, played on other radio stations. If you are tired of the Bach Brandenburg Concertos, don’t worry; you will never hear them on this program.
The presentation of much new music is an important feature of “Classical Discoveries”. I am most concerned about the general feeling towards contemporary music. It appears that many concertgoers seem to feel that if a concert contains the name especially of an unknown composer of the 20th century the music will most likely be unmelodic, dissonant and simply not enjoyable to listen to. Unless it is a standard piece of repertoire a 20th century work often puts fear into listeners. Often the music won’t be given a chance. I try to prove on every show that there is much beautiful music of our time that deserves to be heard. Composers are working hard today. Their works deserve to be presented to the public. Listeners often tell me that they didn’t know that new music could be so melodious and beautiful. Although I play recent works by well-known composers I emphasize the little-known ones that are recorded on the small record labels. I will periodically invite various composers to be guests on my program. Sometimes a program will have a particular theme as, for example, “Music by Turkish Composers” or “Music composed in the 1990s”. “Classical Discoveries” seems to be the answer for all who are just simply tired of the boredom that appears on so much classical radio today. Personally, I feel, that this type of programming may be the answer if classical radio is to survive in the future. Classical music is a great thing. It should not be allowed to go to pot.