WRTI

This is the official page for WRTI 90.1 FM public radio in Philadelphia - your source for classical & jazz!

This is the official page for WRTI 90.1, member-supported public radio in Philadelphia - your source for the very best classical music and jazz, with 14 frequencies serving PA, NJ, and DE, and full-time classical and jazz streams at WRTI.org. We're also committed to producing classical and jazz content that enhances the listening experience for our audience. Tune in and find out why so many listeners love WRTI!

08/17/2024

Join us on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. on WRTI 90.1 and Monday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. on WRTI HD-2 as The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert features an encore presentation of Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin, Petrushka by Igor Stravinsky, and the Symphony No. 2 by Kurt Weill. The Marcus Roberts Trio adds extra improvisatory flair to the Rhapsody, and the Orchestra is led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Join us on Sunday, May 5 at 1 p.m. on WRTI 90.1 and Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. on WRTI HD-2 as The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert features Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin, Petrushka by Igor Stravinsky, and the Symphony No. 2 by Kurt Weill. The Marcus Roberts Trio adds extra improvisatory flair t...

08/16/2024

A couple of nights ago, Herbie Hancock celebrated the 50th anniversary of his jazz-funk landmark 'Head Hunters' with a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Our own Greg Bryant was there, and came back with this report.

Herbie Hancock reunited the personnel on his landmark jazz-funk album 'Head Hunters' for a 50th-anniversary celebration at the Hollywood Bowl. For WRTI's Greg Bryant, it was a chance of a lifetime.

08/12/2024

The acclaimed Philadelphia-based choir The Crossing has announced its 20th season, featuring bold new music in a range of settings.

Don't know them? They are hailed as “America’s most astonishing choir” by The New York Times.

The acclaimed Philadelphia-based choir The Crossing has announced its 20th season, featuring bold new music in a range of settings.

08/10/2024

This Sunday, Aug 11, The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert brings you an encore performance of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, a concerto for the Chinese traditional p**a by Zhao Jiping, and a rediscovered treasure by Polish composer Feliks Nowowiejski.

This concert marked the Philadelphia Orchestra debut of Anna Sułkowska-Migoń conductor, a fast-rising young Polish conductor.

Listen at 90.1FM, streaming at wrti.org and on the WRTI app!

The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert brings you an encore performance of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, a concerto for the Chinese traditional p**a by Zhao Jiping, and a rediscovered treasure by Polish composer Feliks Nowowiejski.

08/08/2024

Meet the Harp! Check out the latest addition to our Meet the Instruments series featuring the talented Maya Lindsey. 🎶

Learn the parts of the harp and how it produces sound with Maya Lindsey. Read more about Maya here: https://www.wrti.org/wrti-spotlight/2024-07-30/wrti-young...

08/07/2024

International Cat Day? Kind of a big thing for us each year at WRTI. Tune in Thurs if you're so into cats that you also think about the feline influence on classical music throughout the years. 90.1 FM, wrti.org and the WRTI app!

Join us on Aug. 8 in celebrating International Cat Day, where cat-oriented pieces will be sprinkled throughout the daytime classical broadcast.

08/06/2024

Shaun Martin, keyboardist of jazz band Snarky Puppy, has died. He was 45.

Read the story here and check out a video of Shaun playing "Yellow Jacket" from his 2015 debut solo album "7 Summers."

Prior to his death, a benefit concert was scheduled for September to celebrate his life as he battled an undisclosed illness.

08/03/2024

This week's broadcast of The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert, recorded live in March, brings you Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and Guillame Connesson's Concerto da Requiem, Concerto for Organ and Orchestra with organist Christian Schmitt as soloist, followed by Sergei Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5.

Guest conductor Paavo Jarvi, chief conductor of the Tonhalle Orchestra of Zurich, is on the podium. Listen Sunday at 1 p.m. on WRTI 90.1 FM and Monday at 7 p.m. on WRTI HD-2. Melinda Whiting is host.

Join us on Sunday, August 4 at 1 p.m. on WRTI 90.1 and Monday, August 5 at 7 p.m. on WRTI HD-2 as The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert brings you Sergei Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony, a new organ concerto by French composer Guillaume Connesson, and Claude Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Fa...

08/02/2024

Tune in this Sunday Aug 4 from 3–6 pm, for a special edition of Sunday Classical, focused on classical new releases. La Festa Musicale (shown here) and Charlotte Hu are among our selections in this month's new-release roundup. Join host Mark Pinto at 90.1 FM, streaming at wrti.org and the WRTI app.

La Festa Musicale (playing Bach) and Charlotte Hu (playing Liszt) are among our selections in this month's new-release roundup on Sunday Classical.

08/01/2024

We just had to share this incredible musical journey of Maya Lindsey! She started out on the piano at the age of four and later discovered her true passion for the harp at age fourteen. From being the principal harpist of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra to being selected for Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra in 2023, Maya's talent knows no bounds.

Currently, she's a student at the Curtis Institute of Music studying with Elizabeth Hainen. Absolutely inspiring – check it all out in our latest Young Artist Spotlight! 🎵

PYO Music Institute Lyra Society

Meet harpist Maya Lindsey, a student at the Curtis Institute of Music, who got her start on the instrument with the Lyra Society.

07/29/2024

Meet the Marimba! Check out the latest addition to our Meet the Instruments video series featuring the talented 14-year-old student Sydney Charlene Vance. 🎶

Learn the parts of the marimba, its instrument family, and how it produces sound with Sydney Charlene Vance. ⭐️ Become a Member Today ⭐️ https://bit.ly/2yAka...

07/27/2024

Join us on Sunday, July 28 at 1 p.m. on WRTI 90.1 and Monday, July 29 at 7 p.m. on WRTI HD-2 as The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert brings you Carl Orff’s rousing and colorful Carmina Burana, with three Philadelphia-based choirs and three sterling soloists joining the fun. In the first half of the concert, Emanuel Ax offers the Piano Concerto in C Major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Fabio Luisi, music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, leads the program.

07/26/2024

This Sunday, July 28, we’re excited to introduce "Sunday Classical with Astral", a new feature for WRTI’s Sunday Classical program.

Between July and October, John T.K. Scherch will be joined by a different artist on the roster of our longtime partners at Astral Artists on the final Sunday of each month. Each featured artist has curated a special hour that speaks to their musical inspirations and aspirations, sharing insights into what makes them tick.

John’s Astral co-host this Sunday is cellist Alexander Hersh, from 4 to 5 p.m.

This Sunday, July 28, we’re excited to introduce Sunday Classical with Astral, a new feature for WRTI’s Sunday Classical program.

07/26/2024

With the 2024 Summer Olympics underway in Paris, we've highlighted some of our favorite classical anthems to accompany all the action, ... and we'll be playing Olympics-themed music throughout the day on Friday.

With the 2024 Summer Olympics underway in Paris, we've highlighted some of our favorite classical anthems to accompany all the action.

07/25/2024

Question of the day: Name what jazz radio station do you listen to or used to listen to the most? I grew up listening to WRTI out of Philly and I still stream it every chance I get. So give your favorite a shoutout!

07/24/2024

Guess the cellist w/ Alexander Hersh!

We put the headphones on cellist Alexander Hersh and asked him if he could ID the musicians on 10 different recordings. Hersh is a member of Astral Artists — the Philadelphia-based musician mentoring program — and will join our own John T.K. Scherch this Sunday in a curated, co-hosted special hour of Sunday Classical. From Haydn to Jobim, tune in this Sunday 7.28 at 4 p.m. ET and hear insights from Alexander Hersh into his musical inspirations and aspirations.

07/22/2024

These are this week's Philly jazz listings co-signed by WRTI. Subscribe to our "Moment's Notice" newsletter to stay up to date!

The future is now in Moment's Notice, as acclaimed young women instrumentalists Sarah Hanahan, Haley Brinnel and Summer Camargo hold the spotlight.

07/20/2024

Join us on Sunday, July 21 at 1 p.m. on WRTI 90.1 FM, and Monday, July 22 at 7 p.m. on WRTI HD-2 when the Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert series brings you Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto, featuring pianist Haochen Zhang, and his Symphony No. 7 in A Major, with guest conductor Nathalie Stutzmann.

Join us on Sunday, July 21 at 1 p.m. on WRTI 90.1, and Monday, July 22 at 7 p.m. on WRTI HD-2 when the Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert series brings you Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto, featuring pianist Haochen Zhang, and his Symphony No. 7 in A Major, with guest conductor Nathalie Stutzmann...

07/18/2024

Meet composer Cecelia Olszewski! Cecelia is a composition student at Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music and the founder and president of the Cosmia Opera Collective, which provides resources for the funding, production, and performance of new operatic works by historically marginalized composers at Northwestern University.

In 2022, Cecelia was selected as one of six national fellows for the Luna Composition Lab. Cecelia participated in the 2020 and 2021 Wildflower Composers Festivals and returned to this year’s festival as an intern.

Read about Cecelia's inspiration and process for composing her one-act chamber opera, Devoted, which premiered this past March in our latest Young Artist Spotlight!

Temple Music Prep

Meet composer Cecelia Olszewski, a composition student at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, and founder and president of the Cosmia Opera Collective.

07/17/2024

There’s a new Esperanza Spalding album on the horizon. She joins forces with the iconic Brazilian troubadour Milton Nascimento on “Milton + esperanza” which drops August 9th. But, you can get a preview of the tracks, and hear a wonderful chat with spalding and Nate Chinen on the latest episode of The Late Set. Stories! Process! It’s all there. Listen now here:

For esperanza spalding, the iconic Brazilian troubadour Milton Nascimento exerts a magical influence. So it makes sense that she describes their luminous new album, Milton + esperanza, as the realization of a dream.

07/16/2024

"Overall, I am most interested in telling stories," Homer Jackson, director of the Philadelphia Jazz Project and a former WRTI on-air host, once explained. Since his passing on July 13, Philly's cultural scene is left to remember him as one of its most devoted connectors and chroniclers.

Read more via the link below.

"Overall, I am most interested in telling stories," Homer Jackson, director of the Philadelphia Jazz Project, once explained. Since his passing on July 13, Philly's cultural scene is left to remember him as one of its most devoted connectors and chroniclers.

07/16/2024

We already considered him one, but Marshall Allen is now officially a “Jazz Master.” The 100-year-old iconic bandleader of the Sun Ra Arkestra for nearly 3 decades, is just one of a select few inductees for this year’s NEA Jazz Masters, considered the nation’s highest honor for jazz. Read more about his journey and the other virtuosic honorees:

A saxophonist of otherworldly gusto, two pianists of impulsive eloquence and a critic with a pen nearly as sharp as his ears are the latest selections for the the nation's highest honor for jazz.

07/13/2024

Join us on Sunday, July 14 at 1 p.m. on WRTI 90.1 and Monday, July 15 at 7 p.m. on WRTI HD-2 as The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert features the Symphony No. 1 in C Minor by Johannes Brahms, as well as two beautiful works for violin and orchestra: Ernest Chausson's Poème and Henri Vieuxtemps' Violin Concerto No. 5. Joshua Bell is the violin soloist, and Christoph Eschenbach, the Orchestra’s music director from 2003 to 2008, returns as guest conductor.

Join us on Sunday, July 14 at 1 p.m. on WRTI 90.1 and Monday, July 15 at 7 p.m. on WRTI HD-2 as The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert features Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, and spotlights violinist Joshua Bell in works by Henri Vieuxtemps and Ernest Chausson.

07/12/2024

Are you a WRTI listener, follower, fan? If so, we need your opinion! Our goal is to continue to provide great content on the platforms you use most often, so we're inviting you to participate in our annual media & technology survey by Monday, July 15. Follow the link below and TY!

Media & Technology Survey.

07/11/2024

We'll be celebrating the rich musical history of France this Sunday 7/14 on Sunday Classical from 3 to 6 p.m. Learn more:

Celebrate Bastille Day with a special edition of Sunday Classical, where we'll play some of the greatest pieces representative of France on the country's national day.

07/10/2024

Introducing percussionist Sydney Charlene Vance! Sydney is a Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth (PMAY) Artist and a member of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and The Philadelphia Youth Symphonic Band.

Sydney enjoys performing as a marimba soloist and was a winner of the Philadelphia International Music Festival, 2023 12-14 Division First Place Concerto Competition.

Hear Sydney's unique perspective on playing and learn more about the in the latest "Young Artist Spotlight" feature!

PYO Music Institute. PMAY Artists' Initiative. Settlement Music School.

Meet 14-year-old percussionist Sydney Charlene Vance, a member of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, Philadelphia Youth Symphonic Band, and a Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth (PMAY) Artist.

07/09/2024

With his sterling technique, grounded by a warmly centered tone, Jim Rotondi brought a level-headed calm to the role of a trumpet hero. He died on July 7 at 61.

07/06/2024

Join us on Sunday, July 7 at 1 p.m. on WRTI 90.1 and Monday, July 8 at 7 p.m. on WRTI HD-2 as The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert brings you the Symphony No. 4 in C Minor by Dmitri Shostakovich, plus the Simple Symphony for strings by Benjamin Britten and Canzon septimi toni for two brass choirs by Giovanni Gabrieli. Guest conductor Tugan Sokhiev is on the podium.

Join us on Sunday, July 7 at 1 p.m. on WRTI 90.1 and Monday, July 8 at 7 p.m. on WRTI HD-2 as The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert brings you the Symphony No. 4 in c minor by Dmitri Shostakovich, plus the Simple Symphony for strings by Benjamin Britten and Canzon septimi toni for two brass choirs b...

07/04/2024

From patriotic anthems to freedom songs to soul-jazz staples, WRTI has your soundtrack for the Fourth of July. Here are some highlights.

07/03/2024

Whether you’re gearing up for fireworks, relaxing down the shore, heading to the lake, or firing up the grill – tune in to WRTI. From Leonard Bernstein to Florence Price, we've got your classical soundtrack to the Fourth of July!

Look no further for your classical music soundtrack to the Fourth of July!

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Videos

Guess the cellist w/ Alexander Hersh! We put the headphones on cellist Alexander Hersh and asked him if he could ID the musicians on 10 different recordings. Hersh is a member of Astral Artists — the Philadelphia-based musician mentoring program — and will join our own John T.K. Scherch this Sunday in a curated, co-hosted special hour of Sunday Classical. From Haydn to Jobim, tune in this Sunday 7.28 at 4 p.m. ET and hear insights from Alexander Hersh into his musical inspirations and aspirations.

Join us tomorrow (Thurs 6.27) at 11 a.m EDT for a YouTube Premiere of “Julius Rodriguez: Live at Notsolatin.” Back in June 2023, pianist Julius Rodriguez brought his quartet to the intimate house concert series Notsolatin in South Philly. WRTI had our cameras rolling and the result is pure bliss! Come drop in on the set to hang with Rodriguez himself–he'll be in the chat–as we relive the magic. Just follow this link: https://youtu.be/yWFJJXeUbyI

STACCATO EP3: Hai-Ye Ni WRTI’s “Staccato” series continues! It’s our take on rapid fire, first-date questions with select artists passing through our studio. Hai-Ye Ni is the principal cellist in The Philadelphia Orchestra and is in the hot seat this time! On a recent episode of “The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert,” Ni was featured on Haydn's First Cello Concerto. The performance is now streaming ‘on demand’ at WRTI.ORG Credits: Artist: Hai-Ye Ni Producers: Alexander Gelles Ariff; Mel Spiegel Theme: Adam Birnbaum; Matt Clohesy; Keita Ogawa 小川慶太 #ClassicalMusic #cello #wrtimusic #philorch

STACCATO EP2: Daniel Matsukawa WRTI’s “Staccato” series is our take on rapid fire, first date questions with select artists that pass through the station. Daniel Matsukawa is the principal bassoonist in The Philadelphia Orchestra and in the hot seat this time! On a recent episode of “The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert,” Matsukawa was featured on the world premiere of Clarice Assad's piece 'Terra.’ The performance is streaming ‘on demand’ here: https://www.wrti.org/wrti-spotlight/2024-02-06/bassoonist-daniel-matsukawa-shines-in-clarice-assads-terra

Are you enjoying the Spirit of 76 Classical Countdown, and following along at WRTI.org/countdown now that we're in the top 20? Classical Afternoon Host Meg Bragle is following along with you, and has a message.

Are you following the Spirit of 76 Classical Countdown at WRTI.org/countdown ...? Check it out along with this message from Classical Morning Host John T.K. Scherch!

John T.K Scherch launched our "Spirit of 76 Countdown" today with no other than Johann Sebastian Bach! Tune in daily as we count down the top 76 classical masterpieces chosen by YOU, along with an "All-Philly Jazz Tribute" — all without fundraising breaks from April 24–30! To make this quiet fundraising model a success, and focus on the music you love, we need your help now. Check out this message from John, and please become a member today at WRTI.org or by calling 866-809-9784

Greg Bryant and the rest of the WRTI jazz team are getting ready for our "Spirit of 76 Celebration" that starts tomorrow, Weds. We will play an "All-Philly Jazz Tribute" nightly AND count down the top 76 classical pieces chosen by WRTI listeners daily through April 30 — all without on-air fundraising breaks! To successfully nail this quiet fundraising model we need your help now. Please become a member today and check out this message from Greg. Follow the "Spirit Of 76" banner at WRTI.org to donate. #MemberSupported #PublicRadio #community #nonprofit #jazz #classical #PowerOfWRTI

Meg Bragle and the rest of the WRTI team are getting ready for our "Spirit of 76 Celebration" starting Weds when we will count down the top 76 classical pieces chosen by you, along with our "All-Philly Jazz Tribute" — all on the air without fundraising breaks from April 24–30! To get through this quiet fundraising model successfully we need your help now. Check out this message from Meg, and please become a member now. Follow the "Spirit Of 76" banner at WRTI.org to donate. #MemberSupported #PublicRadio #community #nonprofit #jazz #classical #PowerOfWRTI

Always the music sleuths here at WRTI, we uncovered that Gioacchino Rossini, born in 1792, is only 58 years old! How is this possible, you ask? Two of our classical hosts, Meg Bragle and John T.K. Scherch have the answer to that question – and more about this composer of 39 operas!

The latest Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert features the George Gershwin's Concerto in F major with soloist Daniil Trifonov, alongside the works of William Grant Still and Anna Clyne. The orchestra is led by music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Now streaming here: https://www.wrti.org/wrti-spotlight/2024-01-29/the-philadelphia-orchestra-in-concert-opens-a-new-season-with-gershwin-still-and-anna-clyne

GUESS THE SOLOIST: Ep1 w/ Immanuel Wilkins WRTI partnered with NYC Winter Jazzfest earlier this month on a game we’re calling “Guess the Soloist” where we put the headphones on musicians we love, and ask them to guess the artist. Immanuel Wilkins is one of our Philly hometown heroes so we’re kicking the series off with him! (With a brief cameo by Kweku Sumbry.) Be sure to play along! More episodes coming soon... Produced by Alex Ariff and Melanie Spiegel.

Elena Urioste and Tom Poster brought their son Tico for a beautiful performance of "Berceuse" by Amy Beach inside the WRTI studio. Watch their charming family performance here: https://youtu.be/YE11porjI2A

Bilal is one of the most recognizable voices in modern R&B today who happens to also be from Germantown! He joined fellow Philadelphians last April for the Exit Zero Jazz Festival in Cape May. Here’s a highlight from one of Bilal’s original tunes “When Will You.” Check out the full set of Orrin Evans and the Philly Jawn here: https://youtu.be/qAPPQ6aXrt0?feature=shared

Quiana Lynell bonds with the audience in a ballad of love and heartache from the passionate opening song of the Crescent City All-Star’s performance at the Exit Zero Jazz Festival. Hear Lynell embrace the feels while she sings her rendition of “Baby” by Alvin Tyler. Watch the full performance here: https://youtu.be/qGhtQsQJM2M?si=5urmGOSe4SwyEEtk

As we move into the new year, we’re looking back on a beautiful session featuring violinist Elena Urioste and pianist Tom Poster. The two are a married couple and also the founders of the Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective. They brought the family chamber ensemble in for a WRTI studio session. Their son Tico sat quietly on his dad's lap while his parents played Amy Beach's "Berceuse." Tico's yawn indicates the piece might be working—Berceuse is French for "lullaby." Watch their full studio performance here: https://youtu.be/YE11porjI2A

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This is the official page for WRTI 90.1, member-supported classical and jazz public radio in Philadelphia—your source for the very best music, featuring 14 frequencies serving PA, NJ, and DE, full-time classical and jazz streams at WRTI.org, and the popular WRTI moblie app. We're also committed to producing classical and jazz stories that enhance the listening experience for our audience. Tune in and find out why so many listeners love WRTI!