WGUC is pleased to present encore broadcasts of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops.
Beethoven & Ravel
Hosted by: Megan Lavilla
5/3/2026 - 8:00 p.m.
"Samuel Lee, winner of the prestigious Malko Competition and former Associate Conductor of the CSO, returns for a sublime evening of music. Louise Farrenc’s Overture No. 2 opens the program with a brief glimpse into the musical world of 19th-century France, which flows into the delicate dances of Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, laced with a tender homage to the French Baroque. The mood deepens with Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, where the soloist’s single hand conjures a world of bold orchestral textures and haunting melodies. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, a work of remarkable charm and exuberance, radiates with joy, celebrating the composer’s lighter, yet deeply profound, musical soul."
Brahms & Schumann
Hosted by: Elaine Diehl
5/10/2026 - 8:00 p.m.
"Romantic masterpieces take center stage with Music Director Laureate Louis Langrée. Inaugural Nina Simone Piano Concerto Competition winner Clayton Stephenson opens the program with Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2 — a lush, expansive dialogue between soloist and orchestra that flows with both grandeur and intimacy. Then, Schumann's Symphony No. 4 bursts onto the stage with energy and romantic fervor, weaving a metaphorical journey of human struggle, introspection and ultimate triumph. "
Beethoven, Mozart & Haydn
Hosted by: Elaine Diehl
5/17/2026 - 8:00 p.m.
"Haydn's Symphony No. 103 opens with a dramatic flourish, as rolling timpani set the stage for a work that combines energetic precision with whimsical surprises. Next, violinist Blake Pouliot brings out the drama, grace and elegance of Mozart's Strassburg Concerto, before Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 surges to a powerful conclusion, filled with the vibrant, youthful energy of his early years. "
Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2
Hosted by: Megan Lavilla
5/24/2026 - 8:00 p.m.
"The program opens with the constant underlying motor rhythm of American composer Margaret Brouwer’s Pulse. Then, James Ehnes weaves lush, lyrical violin melodies with Scottish folk themes, all before Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 takes you on a cinematic journey through the depths of the human spirit. Filled with brooding drama, soaring melodies and moments of breathtaking beauty, it’s like a love letter written in sound — one of longing, hope and elation — and remains one of his most beloved works for orchestra. "
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3
Hosted by: Elaine Diehl
5/31/2026 - 8:00 p.m.
"Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony is a musical journey through the misty landscapes and ancient ruins of Scotland. Inspired by the composer’s travels, the symphony captures the rugged beauty and haunting mystery of the Highlands in a way that is both deeply personal and universally enchanting. Opening the program, Adolphe’s Underneath the Sheen envisions the movement of light through the canopy of the redwood forest, and Lise de la Salle joins for Chopin’s intimate and poetic Second Piano Concerto. "
Beethoven & Tchaikovsky
Hosted by: Nataly Wickham
6/7/2026 - 8:00 p.m.
"The season closes in a dramatic and triumphant fashion with some of the greatest orchestral music ever written. Jennifer Higdon’s brief but striking fanfare sets the tone before Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto opens with a commanding, majestic flourish, instantly igniting a sense of awe. After a moment of lyrical reverie that seems to suspend time, the music propels forward with irrepressible joy and optimism. In contrast, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 delves deep into the human experience, embodying the struggle between fate and the quest for happiness. From its powerful brass fanfare—fate’s ominous call—to the electrifying energy of the finale, the symphony is a deeply cathartic journey through anguish, resilience and eventual exhilaration. "
Classical Roots 2026
Hosted by: Nataly Wickham
6/14/2026 - 8:00 p.m.
"For over two decades, Classical Roots has been a Cincinnati community staple celebrating the rich legacy of African American music. Love and community will ring throughout Music Hall when the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Classical Roots Community Choir, Nouveau Program and more come together for an evening of joyful song. JMR leads an inspirational program that will light up your heart and bring you to your feet!"
Stravinsky’s Firebird
Hosted by: Brian O'Donnell
6/21/2026 - 8:00 p.m.
"This is a Firebird unlike any you’ve experienced before. Music Director Cristian Mӑcelaru leads the CSO in a collaboration with award-winning South African puppet creator and director Janni Younge of Janni Younge Productions. The result is a visually stunning performance of Stravinsky’s complete ballet score with music of enchantment, infernal dance and a finale featuring the Firebird making a glorious appearance inside Music Hall. Mahler’s unfinished tone poem Totenfeier opens the program — a deeply introspective and intense experience, the work ultimately developed into the opening of his monumental Resurrection Symphony."
Dvořák Symphony No. 7
Hosted by: Brian O'Donnell
6/28/2026 - 8:00 p.m.
"This Thanksgiving, explore cultural roots and the concept of “home.” Simon’s Tales draws on African American folklore, traditions, and spirituals, while Bielawa connects to violin soloist Tessa Lark's American roots in Appalachia in her work PULSE. Copland’s theme from Appalachian Spring, based on the Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts,” evokes simplicity, peace, and community. In contrast, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, written during a period of personal struggle, reflects his Czech heritage and the political turmoil of his homeland. "
American Voices
Hosted by: Brian O'Donnell
7/5/2026 - 8:00 p.m.
Celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. in a program highlighting some of the most influential African American artists and composers of our time. Margaret Bonds’ Montgomery Variations, her tribute to civil rights leader Rosa Parks, is infused with themes of struggle, resistance and dignity. Bass Morris Robinson narrates an original poem by Rita Dove, former Poet Laureate Consultant to the Library of Congress, against Barber’s solemn Adagio for Strings, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Wynton Marsalis takes the 12-bar blues and explodes it into a lyrical, kaleidoscopic history of American music.
No ticket required! With CSO Replay, live recordings of CSO concerts air on Sunday nights and are available for streaming on CSO Replay for 30 days following the broadcast.
