Midday Music with Peter Whorf – 10a-3p Weekdays
Peter Whorf came home to Detroit in 2019 when he joined WRCJ as host of Midday Music. In a broadcasting career that has spanned three decades, Peter has hosted and produced music and news shows and held leadership positions at commercial and public radio stations across the country. These include WFMT and WBEZ in Chicago, WNYC in New York City and WXXI in Rochester, NY – where he earned his degree in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music. Peter has also served in managerial and on-air roles at the University of Missouri’s KBIA and as station manager at Michigan State University’s WKAR where his team earned the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Public Radio Station of the Year Award for 2018.
Musically, a lot has happened with Peter over the last couple years – he’s now a member of the Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra and has joined the string faculty at MSU’s Community Music School in Detroit.
Tune in weekdays at 10:00am to hear Peter play the hits – and share musical insights with some of the top artists in classical music today. Recent conversations have included interviews with Hilary Hahn, Alisa Weilerstein, Sharon Isbin, Nicola Benedetti, DSO President Anne Parsons, DSO Music Director Jader Bignamini and MOT President Wayne Brown. Peter has also spent some time with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Arts and Culture Director Rochelle Riley. And you’ll see Peter occasionally on Detroit Public Television’s One Detroit, where he serves as an arts and culture contributor. All WRCJ conversations can be heard here.
View Playlists for Midday Music.
Today (Thu Aug 4 2022), just before noon I heard a piece by Debussy titled “The Terrace with Audience in the Moonlight”. The Playlist doesn’t show this piece. Can you give any more details about this piece?
Hi Robert, that was the Halle Orchestra under Sir Mark Elder. Thanks for listening!
Thank you. What happened with the playlist? Usually the information is there.
Are you sure? I am fairly certain I heard a piano version at that time.
A solo piano version? Ok yes, we only have two recordings of that piece and one is a solo piano version featuring Maurizio Pollini on piano. It was from a cd on the Deutsche Grammophon label, spine number 4798490. It wasn’t on the playlist because it wasn’t originally scheduled but the host had some time so he added it in.
That’s the one! Thank you for the details. Toward the end of the piano version of the piece, there is a sequence of 4 chords which instantly made me think of a similar sequence of chords in Bill Evans’ wonderful 30 second intro to “So What”, on Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue”. That’s one reason I was sure it was a piano piece.
I am glad that there was time to insert this; I will be listening to all the Preludes today (probably in both versions you cite above).
You can thank Carl for that one, he picked it out. Yes we hope you are enjoying the music today!
Peter,
Actually it was Leslie Nielsen who said “Don’t call me Shirley!” in the film Airplane.
A loyal fan…Ed Hannum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM2K7sV-K74
I heard Ravi Shahnagar performed with his daughter Anushka on 2/1/2022 just before 3:00 pm. I did not get the name of the particular piece: it had rave applause. 4th something or other.
I was elated & energized!
Would you please help me.
Appreciatively, Linda
Yay! Yes Linda that was the 4th movement: Finale -“Banjara” from Shankar’s Symphony.
IS Peter Whorf related to Mike Whorf of WJR fame. Mike was [an announcer in the 60’s – 70’s] at WJR.
Yes, Mike Whorf was his father.
I’m searching for the Paul McCartney “Oratorio”, the portion as played mid-day of recent, this for my grandaughter to try plinking on her piano – such a simple and beautiful composition. Thanks, Ron
Hi Ron, here is the album: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_McCartney%27s_Liverpool_Oratorio
If you search it on the internet you should be able to listen to excerpts or purchase a copy.
Hi! My mom is a musician who listens to WRCJ all the time. It just doesn’t seem like home if WRCJ isn’t on. Mom has ALS, and the radio is a wonderful distraction for her. Thank you!
Thank you for the nice note Jen, we are pleased to be a part of your home!
I feel equipped to pass Musicology 101 now that Peter Whorf has explained that Mozart was a forerunner of the Shickelean Era of Classical Music. Many aspects of my education are now coming together into a seamless playlist. In all seriousness, it makes perfect scents.
A very warm welcome to you, Peter! I know my brother, Chris, would be delighted to see the direction you will take the midday offering. I wish you all the best, and know that good things are around the corner. How fortunate are the listeners in the Detroit area to have the talent and commitment from the WRCJ family to bring great music into their lives each day.