Back in 2019, John Slate and Kristi Nedderman from Dallas Municipal Archives found an old reel to reel recording from 1967 of Van Cliburn performing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at SMU's McFarlin Auditorium. This is the only known recording of the concert, and was only aired once on WRR in 1977. In this special program, you'll hear that performance - as well as the backstory of the discovery.

Classical 101.1 WRR presents Cliburn Uncovered: A lost recording... rediscovered!

"There was something in the joy – this kind of utter joy that I was finding in the silence of meditation and of going inwardly that 
was coming through, and it started with lyrics and melodies, and then this whole thing came about," explains soprano Hila Plitmann, describing her composition, "In this Circle," which she'll perform with the Dallas Winds Jan. 16, 2024. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Plitmann describes how meditation and life experiences came to play in a work she calls both spiritual and vulnerable.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Superstar soprano Hila Plitmann returns with the Dallas Winds

It's taken three years of planning and prep, but the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is heading to Europe this summer. In this podcast, WRR's Kurt Rongey chats with Kim Noltemy, the DSO Ross Perot President & CEO, who gives details on tour dates, destinations, star soloists and works, including new pieces by Angelica Negron and Sophia Jani. She also shares some reminiscences about working with Seiji Ozawa in Boston.

WRR101: DSO is prepping for its European tour -  here's what it'll include

The Cliburn welcomes internationally acclaimed pianist/composer Gabriela Montero for two concerts in Fort Worth - April 25th at the Kimbell Art Museum and April 26th at Tulips FTW. In this podcast, WRR's Emilio Alvarez chats with Montero about the program, as well as her upcoming involvement in the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, which includes a special commission.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Gabriela Montero returns to Fort Worth with The Cliburn

Springtime in DFW brings countless art fairs and festivals, but Southlake's Art in the Square may be the only one that gives its proceeds back to charities. WRR's Amy Bishop recently visited with Kathy Talley, the chair of this year's festival, to learn what new attractions they'll be offering - and what sets them apart from the others.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: How charities benefit from this North Texas art festival

In this podcast with WRR's Kurt Rongey, DSO Maestro Fabio Luisi discusses the first time he cracked open the score to one of the Ring operas, what the audience can expect at the Ring of the Nibelungs performances, upcoming recording projects and the maestro’s personal highlights for the 2024-2025 DSO season.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: DSO Maestro Fabio Luisi's Reflections on The Ring

"I think the audience will be amazed by how well a children's chorus can perform a piece of music that's as complex as this one," says Ellie Lin, Artistic Director of the Dallas Symphony Children's Chorus, who is presenting the world premiere of a work written especially for the chorus. Hear more about the chorus and the new commission by Andrea Basevi in this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Dallas Symphony Children's Chorus gears up for a world premiere

"The whole season really is based around establishing Dallas as a cultural hub, so all four of our concerts are different stages of that,” says Sam Brukhman, Founding Artistic Director of Dallas-based Verdigris Ensemble. The group is embarking on another bold new season of new works and immersive storytelling, which they've titled "Transcend." In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Sam gives a quick overview of the season highlights.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Here's how Verdigris Ensemble plans to transcend audiences this season

The assassination of Julius Caesar was more than two thousand years ago, but it resonates more than ever today. In this podcast, WRR's Amy Bishop discusses the story of Caesar with actor T.A. Taylor, who stars in Shakespeare Dallas' production of Shakespeare's theatrical retelling of the historical event.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: A deep dive into Shakespeare Dallas' production of Julius Caesar

"We have thirty artists over those six programs who hail from ten different countries….I wish that our world leaders could get along as well as the musicians of the world, who just want to make beautiful music together," says Philip Lewis, founder and Artistic Director of Chamber Music International. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Lewis shares highlights of their first concert of the 2024-25 season, plus details on CMI's mission to ensure the next generation of chamber musicians.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: CMI opens season with music of Brahms, Bach, Ysaye & Ravel

Dallas Chamber Music Society is launching into its 80th season with the acclaimed Brentano String Quartet, performing a program balanced with lighter and heavier fare by Haydn, Britten, and Mendelssohn. Violinist Serena Canin and DCMS Executive Director spoke with WRR's Amy Bishop about the concert, plus gave a quick glimpse into what else is on the horizon for this milestone year.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: An evening of darkness and light with Dallas Chamber Music Society

After 40 years as founding Executive Director of the Dallas Winds, Kim Campbell has retired. Stepping in as his successor is Michelle Hall, who formerly managed the Victoria Symphony. In this conversation with WRR's Amy Bishop, Campbell and Hall talk more about the early days of the Dallas Winds, their impact on the band community, Michelle’s story of how she got to this role, and what Kim is doing now during retirement.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: A look at past, present & future for Dallas Winds

Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth welcomes the Dover Quartet to perform a newly commissioned work by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, a Chickasaw American Indian classical composer and pianist. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, CMSFW Artistic Director Gary Levinson talks more about the concert, which includes a chance to meet the composer.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate is coming to Fort Worth

"Go big or go home" was one of Bruce Wood's most frequently used expressions, and the company is honoring his legacy with their upcoming Texas-inspired gala concert. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, BWD Artistic Director Joy Bollinger gives a sneak peek into a night that'll include dancing, live music, rhinestones galore, and even real spurs.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Bruce Wood Dance is bringing the western bling for its upcoming gala

The Dallas Opera has announced its 68th season, which includes four mainstage productions, all new to Dallas as company or U.S. premieres. WRR's Amy Bishop recently caught up with Ian Derrer, TDO's Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO, for an overview of the season, which includes a version of Bizet's "Carmen" that may only be seen once in a lifetime. 

Dallas Opera announces 25-26 season, which includes a once-in-a-lifetime production of 'Carmen'

Nearing his 6th season as Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Fabio Luisi has reached a new level of oneness with the musicians, to the point of almost "reading each other's minds." In this conversation with WRR's Amy Bishop, Luisi joins DSO's Chief Artistic Officer Katie McGuinness for an overview of the organization's milestone 125th anniversary season for 2025-26.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: DSO's mastery of Mahler & mindreading

"There's all the things we love about opera, right? Lust, rage.... all the wonderful things that, of course, unfortunately, are still timely - but it's such a beautiful story and such a beautiful opera," says American bass Raymond Aceto, who will join the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra in the role of Daland for an upcoming semi-staged production of Wagner's "The Flying Dutchman." In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Aceto explains why this performance with the Fort Worth Symphony will be a reunion with old friends.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Bass Raymond Aceto returns with the FWSO for another Wagner warhorse

“This is my favorite time of year, because I know that we’re planting the seeds that will not only contribute to the economy here, but that will truly be changing lives for our residents and our visitors,” says Martine Philippe, Director of the Office of Arts and Culture for the City of Dallas. She recently spoke with WRR's Amy Bishop about the impact that Dallas Arts Month has on the city's arts ecosystem, and shared highlights of a couple of new initiatives in this year's celebration.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: What's new about Dallas Arts Month 2025?

Spectrum Chamber Music Society began when a group of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra musicians decided to get together and play chamber music for fun. Forty years later, they're still doing that for North Texas audiences. Perhaps their most ambitious feat is yet to come when they play a chamber ensemble arrangement of Mahler's Symphony No. 4, conducted by FWSO Music Director Laureate Miguel Harth Bedoya. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Spectrum's Dan Sigale tells the story of Spectrum and what has kept audiences coming back for four decades. 

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: FW's Spectrum Chamber Music Society goes BIG with a Mahler masterpiece

“I like to really show the diversity of the cello, and of music...  basically, the history of music in one night," says Stjepan Hauser (known professionally as HAUSER), the international cello sensation and former member of classical crossover group 2CELLOS. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Hauser gives a preview of what to expect for the evening at Irving's Toyota Music Factory.... which will likely include the unexpected. 

WRR101 FOCUS ON THE ARTS: Expect the unexpected when HAUSER returns to DFW

“The music begs for dance... it's visceral in sound,” says Joy Bollinger, Artistic Director of Bruce Wood Dance Dallas. The company is teaming up with the Verdigris Ensemble for a production of SHAMS, described as a transformative true story of Rumi and his spiritual mentor Shams Tabrizi, set to music by Iranian-American composer Sahba Aminikia. In this feature with Amy Bishop, Bollinger and Verdigris founding Artistic Director Sam Brukhman give insight into the groundbreaking new work, and what audiences can expect.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Verdigris and Bruce Wood Dance join forces to bring an ancient story to life

“I think it’s the only dance company that I know of, that’s constantly working in South Dallas. People have come and gone and I’m still there,” says Loris Anthony Beckles, Artistic Director of Beckles Dancing Company, which is planning a very special celebration of its 30th anniversary May 30-31, 2025. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Loris gives a sneak peek of the program, which includes an adaptation of a Donald McKayle classic. 


WRR101 Focus on the Arts: 30 Years of Dallas' Beckles Dancing Company

“It’s such a special ensemble because it carries on the legend of the great jazz pianist, Dave Brubeck, led by two of his sons," says Kira Goidel, the Artist Experience Manager at Windmills Craftworks in The Colony. The venue will welcome the Brubeck Brothers Quartet June 7th and 8th, 2025 in a dining setting reminiscent of New York's Birdland or Blue Note.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Brubeck Brothers are North Texas-bound this weekend

"We tell them, 'You're going to get emotionally involved and it's going to be hard - or it's going to be glorious,'" says Adelaide Leavens, chair of the Cliburn's host family committee. Every four years, thirty local households open their homes to competitors in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth. Here are a few who are hosting this year.

A day in the life of the Cliburn host families

"Her rediscovery has really been the biggest rediscovery of a composer," says Maestro John Jeter, referencing the music of 20th century African-American composer Florence Price. Jeter is the only music director who has recorded Price's repertoire in its entirety, and his new album on Naxos includes her concerti for violin, piano, and orchestral snapshots of Southern life. In this interview with WRR's Brooke Scholl, Jeter gives a sneak peek into the new recordings and shares why he is drawn to Price's music. 

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: John Jeter discusses his new Naxos release of works by Florence Price

Every summer, Shakespeare Dallas offers two very different shows during their Shakespeare in the Park series. This year, they're presenting a classic Shakespeare tragedy paired with a lighthearted "rom com" by Oscar Wilde. In this podcast, Shakespeare Dallas' Interim Executive & Artistic Director Jenni Stewart joins WRR's Amy Bishop for a deep dive into each production.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: The Wilde side of Shakespeare in the Park 2025

During its 28-year history, Fort Worth's Mimir Chamber Music Festival has become a destination for classical music lovers every summer.  In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Mimir Founder and Executive Director Curt Thompson shares some of the highlights this year, which includes a bonus concert in collaboration with the Amon Carter Museum.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Mimir Fest returns with 7 concerts + 1 bonus program

“When we’re talking about local musicians, we’re talking about high level local musicians,” says Morgan Vaughan, Executive Director of Basically Beethoven, which is opening its annual summer festival of free chamber music performances in Dallas on Sunday, July 13, 2025. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Vaughan joins the organization's Production & Education Manager Jeff Tullis for an overview of the festival and the impact they're having on local music education.


WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Why Basically Beethoven is a summer staple in DFW

“These two people lift up the arts ecosystem and they are the ones that deserve recognition," says Mike Dilbeck, Deputy Director of The Arts Community Alliance, commonly known as TACA. "A lot of the times, it’s the people behind the scenes that you don’t see, don’t hear about, but they are the ones that are most deserving.” This year's honorees are Gayle Halperin and Jim Nugent, who have been pillars of the North Texas arts community for decades. In this feature with Amy Bishop, Gayle and Jim share stories of receiving the news - and how they've seen the arts in Dallas flourish through the years.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Meet TACA's 2025 Silver Cup recipients

"Twenty five cellists all playing together is a really unusual, beautiful sound," says Joseph Kuipers, Creative Director of Texas Cellos. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Kuipers gives an overview of the group's upcoming series of concerts, which includes a rousing rendition of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" and a marathon performance of the composer's complete sonatas for cello and piano.

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