Poster Steve Seel
Steve Seel
MPR

SymphonyCast®

With Steve Seel

Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

On this episode of SymphonyCast, composer and bassist Xavier Foley makes his SPCO debut with two works that showcase his dynamism and virtuosity on the double bass, including his double concerto for violin and bass, performed alongside SPCO’s Kyu-Young Kim.

Oregon Symphony

Oregon Symphony

Oregon Symphony Artist-in-Residence Johannes Moser performs Lutoslawski’s Cello Concerto, once described as “the story of a twentieth-century Don Quixote.”

Minnesota Orchestra

Minnesota Orchestra

This isn’t your typical New Year’s concert. It’s the beginning of a much-anticipated festival honoring the music of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and showcasing Music Director Osmo Vänskä in his acclaimed role as “our greatest living Sibelian” (Sunday Times, London). It’s your chance to hear two of Sibelius’ greatest symphonies, as well as his Humoresques performed by violinist Stella Chen, all while ringing in 2022 with the Minnesota Orchestra. (recorded December 31, 2021)

Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra

Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra

Violinist Frank-Peter Zimmermann joins the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra and conductor Jakub Hrusa for a program of Czech works, including the Rhapsody No. 1 by Bela Bartok.

ROCO

ROCO

ROCO explores the interplay of light and dark in “Shadows," built around a commission by Alyssa Morris, Tlapalli Tlahuilli—inspired by an Aztec myth detailing how the world received its sound and color. And, the Suite from Pelleas and Melisande by Gabriel Faure.

Oregon Symphony

Oregon Symphony

We're off to Vienna for a concert featuring Mozart and Mahler performed by Carlos Kalmar and the Oregon Symphony.

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra

NDR presents a cinematic line-up, first exploring the darker side of romantic music in Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, followed by one of Nielsen’s most dramatic works, “Inextinguishable,” which features an exciting battle between two sets of timpani.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Norman and Donatoni challenge our sensibilities with experimental celebrations of imperfection, while Bach and Mendelssohn rely on functional harmony and technique to guide us through an emotional expedition - all performed by one of America’s finest chamber orchestras, LACO.

German Symphony Orchestra

German Symphony Orchestra

Inspired young cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason leads the German Symphony Orchestra passionately through Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor; after, a display of the dynamic potential and psychological power of a 129-piece orchestra via works by Roussel and Ravel.

Houston Symphony

Houston Symphony

The Houston Symphony highlights the buzzing, unforgettable energy of Stravinsky with three of his most dynamic works.

About SymphonyCast®

The Show

SymphonyCast®, with host Steve Seel, is a two-hour weekly radio program featuring a full-length concert by a major orchestra. Material is drawn from Europe’s premier symphony orchestras, along with U.S. orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Nashville Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra.

Our Host

Steve Seel

Steve Seel possesses a broad knowledge of many musical genres, having hosted radio programs ranging from classical to jazz and even avant-garde music at radio stations around the country. Steve began his love affair with public radio at 24 working whatever shifts he could at his hometown station of WUSF-FM in Tampa, Florida, and from there worked his way to snowy Buffalo, New York, and its renowned classical station WNED-FM, where he hosted middays and the weekly experimental-music show Present Tense. In 2005, Steve became one of the founding voices on Minnesota Public Radio's eclectic station, the Current. While there, he hosted afternoons and mornings, and conducted in-depth interviews with pop music luminaries ranging from Brian Eno to David Byrne to Tori Amos. Steve is a basement composer obsessed with all things both minimalist and slow, and might actually be incapable of writing anything that exceeds 75 beats-per-minute.

The Team

Daniel Nass, Producer

Daniel Nass is the producer of SymphonyCast®. He is responsible for creating the sound of the show, including choosing music programming and conducting artist interviews. In his nonproducer life, he is an avid runner and an award-winning composer.

Michael Osborne, Technical Director

Michael "Ozzie" Osborne is the Technical Director for SymphonyCast®. He masters the live and recorded music recordings that are programmed for each SymphonyCast® show. He also enjoys photography, listening to music and bicycling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the name of the composer, performer or piece I heard on the show?

Complete playlist information is available for each show. Click on a specific episode to access a detailed playlist.

What is the theme music at the beginning of every SymphonyCast® episode?

It’s the opening trumpet fanfare from Steve Heitzeg’s Nobel Symphony.

Can I buy a recording of music I heard on your show?

It’s possible, but not likely. Many of the performances that you hear on SymphonyCast® are not available for purchase because they were played at a live concert. In some cases, the musicians have recorded that same music for a commercial CD. If so, album title and recording label information will be available in the episode playlist.

How do I leave a comment?

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