2023 Classical Woman of the Year: Gabriela Montero

Last year, a total solar eclipse was visible in parts of our country. The shared experience of an eclipse—an extraordinary moment of wonder and awe—inspired composer and pianist Clarice Assad to create a new piece for piano and orchestra. Join us today for a musical exploration of light and darkness: "Total Eclipse" by Clarice Assad.

The Serra Chapel in Shandon, California, is one of the venues for the annual Festival Mozaic, based in nearby San Luis Obispo. On summer evenings, concerts take place at the chapel, which offers seating inside and out—it's just one of the idyllic settings that make up Festival Mozaic. On today's show, we'll take you to Serra Chapel to hear a flute concerto by Vivaldi, with Alice K. Dade playing the flute alongside the Festival Mozaic Baroque Ensemble.

In 1945, Austrian composer Anton Webern and his family fled Vienna. Most of Webern’s valuables, mementos, and manuscripts were placed in a lock box, which they buried in the backyard. Sixteen years later, the box was recovered with the manuscripts inside. On today's show, we'll hear one of those 'found' pieces: Im Sommerwind (In the Summer Breeze) by Anton Webern.

Composer Miguel del Aguila imagined a meeting between two characters: one is Justice, the blindfolded woman holding scales and a sword, and the other is Law, the man holding a book and gavel. We'll hear Imani Winds play the world premiere of Miguel del Aguila's 'Blindfold Music' on today's show.

The Syrian Civil War has devastated more than lives, homes, and communities. With all that has been lost, Syrian-American composer Malek Jandali feels an imperative to preserve and share traditional Syrian music. On today's show, we'll hear a piece full of traditional Syrian styles and themes: the Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra by Malek Jandali.

In 2005, composer Lalo Schifrin created a series of tangos inspired by his childhood memories in Argentina. One of these tangos reflects the Pampas, the vast grasslands that stretch across central Argentina. Schifrin aimed to capture a feeling of quiet solitude, evoking a sense of infinity as if one were alone in an ocean of tall grass. Today, we will hear the all-star ensemble ‘Viva Tango!’ perform Pampas by Lalo Schifrin.

Nikolai Kapustin’s compositions are filled with joyful syncopations. Some listeners have referred to him as a jazz pianist; however, Kapustin stressed that he was a classically trained composer who simply loved jazz. Today’s show will feature Kapustin’s music at the intersection of classical and jazz.

Pianist Kathryn Stott and cellist Yo-Yo Ma have a new album, Merci, which will also be their last album together. Kathryn Stott is stepping away from performing to focus on teaching and spending time with her family. Stott and Ma recently spoke with Fred Child about how the two forged a partnership that has lasted more than 40 years. Today, we'll hear their conversation and sample a couple of tracks from their new and final album. 

In 2005, composer Lalo Schifrin created a series of tangos inspired by his childhood memories in Argentina. One of these tangos reflects the Pampas, the vast grasslands that stretch across central Argentina. Schifrin aimed to capture a feeling of quiet solitude, evoking a sense of infinity as if one were alone in an ocean of tall grass. Today, we will hear the all-star ensemble ‘Viva Tango!’ perform Pampas by Lalo Schifrin.

Melanie Bonis composed captivating music in Paris in the early 1900s, surprising even her contemporaries. Upon hearing her work, Camille Saint-Saëns exclaimed, "I never imagined a woman could write such music!" Thankfully, this attitude toward female composers is changing, allowing the music to speak for itself. On today’s show, we’ll hear a piano trio by Mel Bonis from a concert presented by the Manhattan School of Music.