Week of April 6, 2026: Homage – The gift of immortality through the hands of great composers. How would you like to be the subject of a composition by Ludwig van Beethoven, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, or Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? In many cases, the fame of the music has outlasted that of its honoree, but we’ll explore some of these heartfelt gestures and the composers who made them. Works include Handel’s “Water Music” and Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

Week of April 13, 2026: Shh, it’s a Secret: Musical Cryptograms – Musicians have long been told that their minds are similar to those of mathematicians. This week, we’ll discover and decipher codes, messages, and meanings hidden within pieces of classical music. Some of these messages were encoded for the fun of the puzzle, while others held deep, painful meanings. Composers such as JS Bach, Edward Elgar, and Alban Berg delighted in tucking these musical enigmas into their masterpieces.

Week of April 20, 2026: The Russian Five – This group, also known as The Mighty Handful, includes Mily Balakirev, Modest Mussorgsky, César Cui, Alexander Borodin, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Led by Balakirev, they helped create the Russian National School of Composers in Saint Petersburg from 1856 to 1870. In these programs, Bill will introduce each composer and share important works performed by renowned musicians, including the USSR Symphony Orchestra and the Borodin Quartet. 

Week of April 27, 2026: A Visit with Richard Stoltzman – Bill shares an interview with the legendary clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, whose career spans over 50 years as a concerto soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, jazz performer, arranger, and recording artist. Stoltzman’s welcoming spirit has introduced us to new musicians and fresh takes on music by Messiaen, Takemitsu, and Copland, and he has commissioned works from many, many composers. As you listen to his stories about his parents, Benny Goodman, Rudolf Serkin, and his teachers and friends, you quickly understand his dedication to a lifetime spent getting it right. 

Week of May 4, 2026: Claude Debussy (1809-1847) – Claude Debussy, who once said he learned more from poets and painters than from the music conservatory, is considered the figurehead of Impressionist music (though he would vehemently argue against it). While we listen to his compositions, Bill reflects on Debussy’s peculiar upbringing, his studies at the Paris Conservatory, and his Prix de Rome win.