Los Angeles Philharmonic
There are hundreds of performers who blow us away with their playing, but both Dudamel and Shaham take it to the next level and also capture our hearts.
Steve Seel
MPR
SymphonyCast®
With Steve Seel
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
There's an old saying: "Musicians never die, they just decompose." But for conductors who keep going, don't let that adage give you the wrong impression. Bernard Haitink, in his 84th year, is still going strong and brings together an amazing Mahler 9.
London Symphony Orchestra
She's been called the people's diva, because while she has an incredibly luxurious voice, she also seems accessible and down-to-earth. In either case, she's something extraordinary — soprano Renee Fleming.
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
The first notes of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 are so familiar to so many people that they've almost become a parody to themselves. You can almost imagine people thinking: Is it fate knocking on the door or should I go to the disco? As part of his final year as their Music Director, Paavo Jarvi gives a dynamite performance of it with the CSO.
LA Philharmonic
An icon of the music world, and long-time Philadelphia Orchestra collaborator Charles Dutoit travels west for this concert in the City of Angels.
Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic
Surprisingly still when compared to the heroic Beethoven Piano Concertos, this week we'll hear a serene performance of Beethoven's 3rd.
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Mariss Jansons has lived in the Soviet Union and now in Russia. As someone who witnessed Stalin's regime, he has a unique understanding of what Shostakovich had to say.
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
The Dutch artist Janine Janson wins new fans whenever she puts her fiddle under her chin to play. She does it night after night in music capitols all over the world — but the results are especially magical when she's back on home turf and playing with one of the world's greatest orchestras.
Los Angeles Philharmonic
This week's show features a superstar-conductor that you probably haven't heard of before, Daniel Harding. He's not yet 40, but has already been named conductor laureate *for life* of Europe's Mahler Chamber Orchestra.
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
There is something so pure, so elemental in the violin concertos of Mozart, and in the playing of the inimitable Hilary Hahn. Put them together, and -- magic!
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?
Use our contact form to send us your thoughts.