WQXR Declares November "Month of Mozart" - live events, special programming, and "Life With Wolfie" Tumblr page - kicks off Fri, Nov 1
November is Beethoven Awareness Month
MONTH OF MOZART on WQXR
Festival Devoted to the Music, Mystique and Majesty of Mozart
Includes a screening of the Oscar-winning film Amadeus with an appearance by F. Murray Abraham, a child-friendly production of The Magic Flute, and a live broadcast of Mozart’s last symphonies by the New York Philharmonic
(New York, NY – October 18, 2013) – After two years of WQXR’s Beethoven celebrations, it is time for Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.
In keeping with its newly found tradition of curating immersive festivals around a single composer in November, WQXR, New York City’s classical station, presents “MONTH OF MOZART,” a celebration of the composer who has racked up more recordings than any other (nearly 10,000), created masterpieces in every genre he attempted, and who today is sampled by rock stars and rap artists and on movie soundtracks and video games.
Beginning Friday, November 1, “MONTH OF MOZART” will provide many pathways into the music, mystique and majesty of Mozart through themed programming, live events, web exclusives and expert commentary.
Highlights include an all-Mozart day (November 1) to kick off the festival; daily themes on WQXR 105.9 FM such as Mozart and his world, Mozart in his own words, and Mozart’s chamber music; a screening of the Oscar-winning film Amadeus with an appearance by F. Murray Abraham at Symphony Space (November 9); a child-friendly version of The Magic Flute performed by the Amore Opera at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WQXR (November 23); and LIFE WITH WOLFIE, a Tumblr page written by Mozart’s stage dad Leopold chronicling the Mozart Family Tour around Europe and what it is like to parent a genius.
The WQXR 105.9 FM airwaves and wqxr.org stream will feature the finest recordings of Mozart’s oeuvre, from chamber music to piano sonatas to magisterial orchestral works. The festival will culminate in a live broadcast of the New York Philharmonic performing Mozart’s three final symphonies (November 30). Operavore, WQXR’s 24/7 stream and site dedicated to opera, will feature full-length recordings of Mozart’s operas every weekday, from The Marriage of Figaro to Così fan tutte.
Throughout the month, WQXR will explore a man whose life and work has, despite voluminous study, attained a mythology that often diverges from truth. Mozart’s music aids the production of cow’s milk: FALSE. Mozart was poor: FALSE. Mozart’s music makes wine more alcoholic: FALSE, THOUGH HE’D PROBABLY LOVE IT IF THAT WERE TRUE. Mozart was the archetypal genius: ABSOLUTLEY TRUE. Listening to Mozart will make your baby a genius too: EH, NOT SO MUCH…BUT IT COULDN’T HURT. Performers including Yo-Yo Ma and Plácido Domingo, Mozart scholars Neal Zaslaw and Scott Burnham, among others, will add insight and commentary on the myths and the man.
“Our composer festivals – concentrated doses of classical’s best-known composers, brought to life for contemporary audiences – are a playful way for us to remind New Yorkers that everyone knows a little something about classical music, and everyone is welcome at WQXR,” said Graham Parker, General Manager, WQXR. “Through brand-disruptive imagery inspired by skater culture, clever and engaging social media efforts, and of course, great music, we invite both the seasoned fan and the new listener to experience a single composer in an accessible, yet well-informed way. We’re delighted to put the spotlight on Mozart – whose sense of humor rivaled his musicianship – and hope that even more listeners will be enticed to join us on this immersive journey.”
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is the exclusive sponsor of WQXR’s Month of Mozart.
Highlights are below. The full schedule will be available at www.wqxr.org/mozart.
LIVE EVENTS
AMADEUS
With a conversation with F. Murray Abraham
Saturday, November 9 at 7PM
Symphony Space
No other work thrust Mozart more into mass consciousness than Milos Forman’s masterful, Oscar-winning film Amadeus. In anticipation of the film’s 30th anniversary and in partnership with Symphony Space, WQXR presents a special, one-night-only screening, which will include a conversation with F. Murray Abraham, who won the 1984 Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Antonio Salieri. Hosted by WQXR’s Elliott Forrest. Tickets available at www.symphonyspace.org.
THE MAGIC FLUTE
Saturday, November 23 at 11:30AM and 2:30PM
The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space
WQXR will present two 90-minute productions of the beloved classic The Magic Flute, performed by the Amore Opera. Designed especially for children ages 4-12, the fantastical fairy-tale opera about bird catchers, princes and enchanted instruments will be sung in an English translation with narration set to piano. With lush costumes and colorful backdrops, The Magic Flute at The Greene Space is the perfect way to introduce children to Mozart and opera. Hosted by WNYC’s Manoush Zomorodi. Tickets available at www.thegreenespace.org.
ON-AIR AT 105.9 FM
All-Mozart Day
The festival will kick off with an all-Mozart day (6am-11pm) featuring the enormous range of the master’s works.
Daily Themes and Essential Mozart
WQXR will focus each day of the week on a particular theme such as “Mozart’s Orchestral Music” and “Mozart in his own Words.” Every weekday at 10 am, WQXR presents essential Mozart recordings by the best Mozart interpreters. Also available on-demand at WQXR.org!
Festival Finale Live from the New York Philharmonic
Saturday, November 30 at 8pm
The festival will culminate with a live broadcast of the New York Philharmonic performing Mozart’s final three symphonies: No. 39 in E-flat Major, K. 543; No 40 in G minor, K. 550; and No. 41 in C Major, K. 551, the beloved “Jupiter” Symphony.
ONLINE AT WQXR.ORG
WQXR will offer a robust digital experience including videos, playlists, quizzes and much more. Highlights include a “Conducting Business” podcast on the now-debunked but still popular “Mozart Effect” study, a backstage tour of The Metropolitan Opera with a “Mozart makeover" of WQXR host Jeff Spurgeon, and a guide to Mozart’s influence in pop music from Nas and Ludacris to Def Leppard and Neil Diamond.
ONLINE AT OPERAVORE (WQXR.ORG/OPERAVORE)
Throughout the festival, Operavore, WQXR’s 24/7 stream and site devoted to opera, will feature full length Mozart opera recordings from the world’s top opera companies and orchestras, including the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, and Staatskapelle Dresden. The stream will have complete operas each weekday, and on “Wall-to-Wall Wednesdays,” the stream will feature Mozart operas exclusively.
WQXR 105.9 FM, which streams live at www.wqxr.org, is New York City’s only all-classical music station, immersing listeners in the city’s rich musical life. WQXR presents new and landmark classical recordings as well as live concerts from Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Opera, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and the New York Philharmonic, among other venues. WQXR also broadcasts essential destination programs including the Metropolitan Opera Radio Saturday Matinee Broadcasts, New York Philharmonic This Week, and the McGraw-Hill Companies Young Artists Showcase. For listeners in search of the new, WQXR operates Q2 Music, an online music stream dedicated to contemporary classical composers, cross-genre adventures, and performances from New York City's edgier venues. Operavore is WQXR’s opera site featuring news, interviews, and commentaries from the world of opera, as well as a 24/7 all-opera stream. WQXR.org provides essential playlist information and online listening, as well as original content, host blogs, NYC cultural news, videos, and a free app allows listeners to take WQXR with them wherever they go.
