Diary of a Musician with Leon Burke

More Leftovers

Leon shares another installment of “leftovers,” a program where he plays pieces that he didn’t have time to include in previous programs. This week features music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, George Walker (pictured), and Mily Balakirev.

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Recent Episodes


September 12: Art and Music – Leon shares musical pieces inspired by works of art, including Paul Hindemith’s 1938 opera, Mathis der Maler (Mathew the Painter), Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Claude Debussy’s La Mer, and more.

September 5: Music of Spain – Leon will focus on the music of Spain, featuring music by Spanish classical composers Manuel de Falla, Isaac Albéniz, and others. ¡Viva España! 

August 29:The Saxophone – Leon will focus on saxophone music for orchestra. Hear compositions by Alexander Glazunov, Maurice Ravel, and John Adams.

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About Leon


Leon Burke III is Conductor and Music Director of the University City Symphony Orchestra in St. Louis, Missouri, and also serves as Principal Conductor for the Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Assistant Director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and often guest-conducts for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

A native St. Louisan, Dr. Leon Burke holds music degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory and the University of Kansas. He has conducted at the Aspen Music Festival and the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival and has studied with such distinguished conductors as Sir Georg Solti, Leonard Slatkin, Edo de Waart, and Jorge Mester. This year Dr. Burke celebrates 30 years as a Principal Conductor for the Asunción Symphony.