Elliott Forrest

Host

Elliott Forrest, small-Town Texan with a a think-big producer’s mentality, is the weekday afternoon host on WQXR. 

Elliott Forrest discovered the storytelling power of classical music in the formative years of his music education through Rimsky-Korsakov’s exquisite Scheherazade. He had always loved telling stories, and he had decided early on that he would pursue a career in show business that would allow him to do just that for a living. At the age of 17, Elliott was a high school student with big dreams working a part-time job at a gas station. The problem was, he hated it. So, he did what any other teenager in his situation would do: He walked right into the local television station without a meeting and asked, “You guys don’t need anybody, do you?” 

Turns out, they did, and he became the production assistant. The following summer, the same line got him his first ever radio job as the overnight announcer at his local station, and when work at a Kansas City theater company led to a brief commercial recording session, his signature query landed him his first gig with a classical station. 


Today, as the weekday afternoon host of WQXR, Elliott provides the soundtrack to listeners’ daily commutes, offering them a window to the arts. His wildly popular brainchild The Score at Four — inspired by his love of film — has become a weekday staple, and he continues to push the boundaries of what it means to be a classical music radio station with similarly novel programming initiatives. Beyond the studio, Elliott works as a director, producer, and television host, and he also serves as Executive and Artistic Director of ArtsRock, a Not-For-Profit organization in Rockland County.

Shows:

Elliott Forrest appears in the following:

Here’s to Clayelle Dalferes

Thursday, January 04, 2024

WQXR
"Clayelle Dalferes has been a constant, soothing, knowledgeable voice on WQXR and NY Radio for decades," writes Elliott Forrest. 

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Have You Heard | "Maestro"

Monday, November 20, 2023

WQXR
WQXR Host Elliott Forrest on "Maestro" (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

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Can't-Miss Culture: Classical & Opera

Thursday, October 26, 2023

WQXR's Elliott Forrest shares some classical music and opera performances not to be missed.

Artist Check-in with Alexandre Kantorow

Friday, October 20, 2023

WQXR
WQXR Host Elliott Forrest checks in with Alexandre Kantorow ahead of the pianist's Carnegie Hall appearance. 

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Artist Check-in with Alisa Weilerstein

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

WQXR
Alisa Weilerstein is one of the world’s most in-demand cellists, and Elliott Forrest recently caught up with her for a few minutes. 

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Richard II: Episode 4

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Richard is imprisoned and Bolingbroke is now King Henry. But the new king immediately faces new challenges.

Richard II: Episode 3

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Bolingbroke’s power increases, and his men urge him to claim more than just his stolen inheritance. He confronts Richard at Flint Castle, and the king agrees to return to London.

Richard II: Episode 2

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

King Richard’s wealthy uncle, John of Gaunt, is on his deathbed, heartbroken over the banishment of his son, Bolingbroke.

Richard II: Episode 1

Monday, July 13, 2020

The Duke of Gloucester has been murdered. Now the young King Richard must settle a dispute between two members of his court over who is responsible for the killing.

The Avery Fisher Career Grant Recipients 2020

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Join us this coming Wednesday, March 25, at 5 pm for this year’s announcement of the Avery Fisher Career Grant recipients.

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Elliott Forrest with Wynton Marsalis and Nicola Benedetti

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Listen to when composer/trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and violinist Nicola Benedetti dropped by our studio to talk with WQXR's own Elliott Forrest!

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Movie Music with Eddie Izzard

Friday, May 24, 2019

Comedian and actor Eddie Izzard joined our very own Elliott Forrest in the studio to talk about his favorite movie music ahead of his upcoming shows at the Beacon Theater.
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MC Joel Grey: Master of Anatevka

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Joel Grey sits down with Elliott Forrest to talk about his Yiddish directorial debut of Fiddler on the Roof. 

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The Interment of Matthew Shepard

Friday, October 26, 2018

20 years after his death, a ceremony for Matthew Shepard at the National Cathedral.

Mahler in the Mountains

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Host Elliott Forrest shares highlights of his summer jaunt to the Grand Teton Music Festival, with an audio interview, pictures and a complete musical performance. 
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Clarinetist Sam Boutris and Pianist Tomer Gewirtzman Play Mozart, Brahms and Chopin

Wednesday, November 01, 2017

Take a respite from your busy work day and hear some of classical music’s best-loved composers performed by rising stars from The Juilliard School.
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Pianist Leif Ove Andsnes Live in The Greene Space

Monday, October 16, 2017

On Monday, Oct. 16, pianist Leif Ove Andsnes appeared at The Greene Space to celebrate the release of his new Sibelius album. Watch the webcast here.

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Midday Masterpieces with Pianist Yun Wei

Wednesday, October 04, 2017

Take a respite from your busy work day and hear some of classical music’s best-loved composers performed by rising stars from The Juilliard School.
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Meet Maxim Lando, the Young Pianist Joining Lang Lang and Chick Corea at Carnegie Hall

Monday, October 02, 2017

Maxim Lando has played Carnegie Hall over a dozen times since his debut at six years old. He returns for opening night, playing alongside Lang Lang and Chick Corea.
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The Dreamer Who Helped Inspire the Dream Act

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

The story of Tereza Lee, a classical pianist, whose struggle to attend college helped inspire Senator Dick Durbin to introduce the Dream Act.

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