KPAC Blog

This month, KPAC celebrates thirty years in broadcasting. Our hosts are having some fun sharing "30 lists" - artists, music, movies, and recordings you might enjoy and help shape the great sound of your classical oasis.

Kicking things off is Afternoon Host John Clare with 30 Great Violinists! (They are in no particular order, and were chosen keeping in mind the artist was available to be heard on Spotify)

Click here to listen to these violinists on Spotify

Few classical musicians these days are serious improvisers — aside from organists and early-music practitioners. But pianist Gabriela Montero is absolutely fearless when it comes to creating a new piece, right out of the air, right on the spot. At her concerts she takes requests from audience members. They can suggest a song for her to improvise on, or simply a topic of interest.

If ever the term ‘opposites attract’ were applied to an opera, it should applied to Jules Massenet’s Thais. Two of the unlikeliest of characters will carry on an extended, obsessive and sublimated non-affair affair. It will inspire some of the composer’s most popular music, the Meditation for violin and orchestra, though the work as a whole has never quite become part of the repertory. It falls between two of his most well known works Werther and Cendrillion.

Richard Stoltzman is a legendary musician, winning Grammy Awards, playing chamber music, new music and concerti around the world. He's also famous for his jazz, playing with greats like Woody Herman, Mel Torme, and Chick Corea. This weekend, Stoltzman will share his artistry with the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio Philharmonic.

After a journey of five years, the Chamber Orchestra of San Antonio makes their first concert appearance at Pearl Stables.

Conductor Carlos Izcaray will lead works by Mozart, Wagner, Monteverdi, Varese, J.C. Bach and Ives. The program is called "The Perennial Contest."

Yolanda Kondonassis is celebrating 20 years of recording with a new compilation of her recordings, a Best of – available on Azica records. She is also celebrating Earthday with a new book, Our House is Round – a children’s guide to environmental care.

“I believe that age when young children learn about music or the environment can lead to great habits,” she said, speaking about both releases.

Kondonassis will be in Texas next year playing Ginastera!

The new CD "Triple Doubles" presents three recent double concertos - works composed for violinist Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson. Performed by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, these performances have a remarkably personal quality, undoubtedly a result of the performers' close relationship with the composers and the unique bond of a husband and wife interacting with "their" orchestra. 

Troy Peters, who conducts Daron Hagen’s Masquerade, spoke with John Clare about this release.

Probably my favorite movie I’ve seen so far this year, “The Tree of Life” approaches for me a kind of magical or spiritual experience. It was recently released on Blu-ray/DVD.