90.9 FM WRCJ
(studio address)
123 Selden Street, Suite 250
Detroit, MI 48201
Main Office: 313.494.6410 For donations please call (866) 909-9725
Email: 90.9fm@dptv.org
Riley Broadcast Center
(corporate offices address)
1 Clover Court
Wixom, MI 48393
Member Services: 248.305.3900
Hello! I was listening to MSU in Concert about 12:30 on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. There was an interview with a Black woman violist who said she is so proud to play the music of a role model of hers. The role model was a Black man who died in 2018 at 96 years old. He won a major composing award decades ago, and yet in the year after winning the award, no major USA orchestra performed his work. Thankfully, his work is now being revisited by orchestras. And played on WRCJ! This violist went on to say that his work is “thorny but also beautiful and very emotional in its communication.” Indeed, the music was captivating. And the interview, as all WRCJ programming, was excellent too! Will you please help me remember the woman violist’s name, as well as the name of this award-winning composer of whom she spoke. I feel like an idiot that I forgot their names during my short drive home and bringing groceries into my house. I want so very much to look him up and listen to more of his music.
Hi Amy, that was sounds like a little feature we have running right now about composer George Walker. It was put together by harpist Christa Grix. It’s nice to hear you enjoyed that and we hope you find more pieces by George Walker that you enjoy will exploring his works.
I LOVE WRCJ! I mostly listen when I drive to and from work. Have the traffic reports and news been discontinued?
Hi Peggie, thanks for the love! It seems some of our listeners liked the traffic and news but others didn’t. We are trying a music focused approach right now. We’ll see how it goes…
Have you ever considered a video game show similar to Film Classics?
Something like https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/gameplay would be appointment-listening for my family, help the next generation to connect with the classics, and expose some great newer music to the WRCJ audience.
Hi George, that could be cool. There have been reports that video game soundtracks can be a path to becoming a fan of the type of classical music we play. We occasionally featuring video game music but there isn’t that much in our library.
Thank you for such a splendid program featuring music from pirate-oriented films and swashbucklers. I’m thoroughly enjoying Maestro John Williams’ music for Hook at the moment.
Thanks! Jack was doing a whole pirate captain theme that hour.
Hi, can you please tell me the name of the beautiful song you played around 10:30 this morning (Sunday, Jan. 1) — something about “Night in Pasadena” and “Les Deutsch” (if I’m spelling that right)? Thank you!
Yes, you almost had all of it. That was “Morning, Noon, and Night in Pasadena” composed by Les Deutsch featuring Ken Larson on trumpet from the album TSO Chamber November 12, 2020.
You played 2 songs by L. Price this morning at about 7:15 am or so. Would you happen to know what they were?
Hello Steve, those were “Vom Himmel hoch…” & “Sweet li’l Jesus” sung by Leontyne Price with the Vienna Singverein Chorus, Greater Vienna Children’s Choir and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Herbert von Karajan.
Being a great lover of all classical music and of (most) jazz, WRCJ certainly outshines all of the other local radio broadcasters.
The one thing I find is that you seem to admire the classics written for the Recorder and/ or Flute and is featured just a bit too often and becomes somewhat irritating listening to so much of these.
Certainly, a great music station!
Thank you listener. We don’t have a particular inclination for the flute/recorder but perhaps we need to mix it up more. We will keep an eye on it.
Okay – Thanksgiving is over and many of the other classical stations are interspersing Christmas and holiday music, but so far not WRCJ. I was listening to WKAR today and they played lots of Christmas music in between fund-raising (which I get tired of – I’m a sustainer). I know it’s necessary but it gets really “old” with me. Sorry! The streaming all this past weekend included lots of Christmas music. Let’s go, WRCJ!!
We are slowing adding in Christmas music. You’ll notice it soon!
Okay – good. Thank you! Also, what has happened to the traffic and weather on the morning and afternoon shows with Dave Wagner? I’m not a morning TV person and relied on these to start the day.
We’ve received mixed responses on our inclusion of the news and traffic reports over the years. We are trying out a more music focused approach right now. We’ll see how it goes.
Sunday Nov 27, 2022, right around 12:00, you played a very interesting, quirky piano piece. I couldn’t stick around to hear what the music was due to unavoidable obligations, but I am quite curious. It seems unlikely that it was the piece listed on the Classical 24 site (Grainger’s Scotch Strathspey and Reel (“What do you do with a drunken sailor?) .
Can you help?? Thanks in any case.
Hi Robert, that was John Adams’ “Must the Devil Have All the Good Tunes?” performed by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra in our special broadcast of their concert today. Here’s some more info if you want to take a look: https://a2so.com/event-directory/enigma-variations/
More C. Sharpe, please!!!
She will be here tomorrow 3pm-7pm also!
Where did Sunday Baroque go? When will it be back?
Hi Donna, we are still running Sunday Baroque 6am to 10am. It hasn’t gone anywhere.
What a marvelous day! I had the privilege of listening all day long to Dr. Dave and Peter – they are wonderful together! From learning about JS Bach’s many children (including LOL Bach, SOS Bach and the elusive MIA Bach) to how to properly answer a call from an unknown number, it was a most informative and entertaining day. I enjoyed listening to Dr. Dave and Peter as much as (perhaps even more than) the beautiful music they played for us. I called in my fall donation today for the best radio station on the air – I am so grateful for WRCJ!
Thank you for the donation Nancy! It certainly was an interesting day on 90.9. Lots of great music and (questionable) info. Don’t forget about the J.S. Bach’s pungent nephew P.U. Bach.
I started listening to WRCJ about five years ago. It also became my new wake-up call every morning at 7am and I enjoy all of the different musical selections and the knowledgeable staff that discuss the history of each piece. By the way, it was wonderful to wake up to Scott Joplin this morning, thank you! Where I grew up, there are no symphony and jazz radio stations so you folks are the best! Keep up the great work.
Thank you listener! We are grateful to be able to play beautiful classical and jazz music for everyone and it’s nice to hear you are enjoying it!
Terrific pledge drive, as usual. For the last one, I bobbled along with Beethoven. This time, however, I an going Bach to basics.
Haha, sounds good to us Katherine!
hi evening guys…has someone pressured you to pick up the tempo recently????it seems tunes have been busier and less mellow lately…just curious.. thanks for all your plays…
Hi Darlene, no we haven’t made any change to the programming. Each day is bound to be different but don’t worry, there are more mellow pieces coming up!
Can you tell me what was broadcast just before 10 AM on Saturday October 15?
Sadly, I had to leave the car before the piece ended and its name was announced.
Hi Robert, here are the pieces from around that time:
10:21am 10/14/2022 MSU in Concert
Tone Poem, “The Pines of Rome”
COMPOSER:Ottorino Respighi
ARTIST:MSU Wind Symphony
CONDUCTOR:Kevin Sedatole, conductor
10:43am
Oiseaux exotiques (“Exotic Birds”) for Winds
COMPOSER:Olivier Messiaen
ARTIST:MSU Wind Symphony
SOLOIST:Derek Polischuk, piano
It was the Messiaen. Thank you! And thank you for playing it.
No problem!
there was a wonderful piece broadcast about 5 pm on thursday oct. 6 featuring Beverly Sills. it isn’t on the playlist. can you tell me what it was?
Hi David, that was “Marietta’s Lied” from “Die Tote Stadt” by Erich Wolfgang Korngold performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra featuring Beverly Sills conducted by Julius Rudel.
by any chance, would the studio have this album on file?
Herbie Mann
Live At The Village Gate [US Release]
Label: Atlantic Recording Corp.
Released: 6/30/1975
We don’t have that one in our Music Library but it’s possible one of our jazz hosts have it in their extensive collections.
Hello, I heard a beautiful clarinet concerto today 9/24/2022 about 12:45 pm. Can you please give the title and artist? Thanks!
Hi John, here’s the info:
Clarinet Concerto No. 2
Composer: Carl Maria von Weber
Conductor: Lukas Foss
Orchestra/Ensemble: Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra
Soloists: Jon Manasse – clarinet
XLNT 18005
My wife and I met Dr. Dave Wagner today at the old car show at Greenfield Village! He was playing the old Thomas Edison organ that is rarely played. I had heard on his morning show about the event, so I wanted to go meet him and see him play. It was amazing! I was very pleased to meet him. He is a great character and a warm human being. WRCJ is such a positive force in our community. Over the past 3-4 years of listening every day to Wagner and Whorf, I have acquired a pretty good knowledge of all things classical. Anyhow, I just wanted to say thanks to Dave for being so nice to my wife and I.
Thanks Anthony, we appreciate the note and we’re glad you and your wife got to meet Dr. Dave. Thank you also for tuning in every day. It’s nice to hear we are helping you become a classical music expert!
I’m sorry to have to report that as of 7:48 pm EDST Wednesday 31 August, no Web signal is coming to either my Media Player Classic nor iTunes app from WRCJ. I don’t even get a carrier hiss. Your notice that the broadcast signal has been interrupted I only read when I came here to report the problem.
I hope you find a solution. My world is silent in the meantime.
Sorry about that Pete, the power at our transmitter site was knocked out during the big storm. Everything is back up and running now. Thanks for listening.
I assume you know that today Wednesday, August 31 they radio broadcast signal is unavailable. The broadcast over the web seems to be fine
Hi Chris, we were on our backup last night because the power at our transmitter site was knocked out during the big storm. Everything is back up and running now though.
I assume you’ll be giving away more Michigan Shakespeare Festival tickets, so your announcers might want to know that “Charley’s Aunt” is not a “new play,” as Peter Whorf said Friday. It was first produced in 1892, is regularly revived, and has been filmed several times. It’s not Shakespeare, but it is a classic. Like WRCJ!
it was such a surprise to listen to Carmen this afternoon. 🙂
in terms of classical music, is the Detroit Symphony Orchestra familiar with this piece? 3rd movement from Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat Major K495
album: Classic Composers
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Classical
Year: 2003
Track: 4
played by: the Vienna Mozart Ensemble
3:58
Hi Charles,
Looks like the DSO performed that piece in 2017 at the Mozart Festival:
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/01/27/dso-mozart-festival/97150698/
Do you happen to know what label that CD is on? And/or the spine number? It would be easier to find that way.
I have it on vinyl–Angel Records, 35092: Mozart 4 Horn Concertos, Dennis Brain on horn, von Karajan conducting Philharmonia Orchestra
Why are those so many “repeats” in the programming? A few weeks back, I heard Fur Elise 3 days in a row, and I just heard Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C# Minor for the umpteenth time, it seems. I think you have quite a few CD’s in your library. Of course, it doesn’t help that I turn the radio on the first thing in the morning and listen until 7:00 PM every night, plus I’m home all the time now. Would like more variety, is what I’m trying to say. Thanks!
Hi Dorothea, the most popular pieces we tend to play often but we try to keep rotating everything else. But yes we’ll keep an eye on it.
Hi, what was the song title and artist that was playing Sunday night 7-31 @ 9:05 – 9:12 pm.
I love the song but was getting out of my car and didn’t get the title. Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi listener, here are the songs from around that time:
9:00pm 07/31/2022 Jazz with John Hill
Double Top
ARTIST:Martin Taylor
ALBUM:Spirit Of Django
LABEL:Linn Records
9:05
Fourteen
ARTIST:Joey Alexander
ALBUM:Eclipse
LABEL:Motema
9:13
Dry Cleaner From Des Moines
ARTIST:Debra Mann
ALBUM:Full Circle
LABEL:Whaling City Sound
9:18
The Call
ARTIST:Charles Mingus
ALBUM:Mingus Move
LABEL:Atlantic
Hi – This message is for Dave Wagner. He just played a piece (Wed. AM) for pedal keyboard and orchestra and mentioned that he had never seen a pedal piano. Check out Cameron Carpenter on YouTube where he played a whole concert on a Doppio Borgato pedal piano. Quite unique! The link is over an hour long, but the first piece he plays is amazing. His footwork is unbelievable! I’m an organist and pianist in the Saline/Ann Arbor area. Enjoy!
Oh yes Cameron Carpenter we have one of his albums in the library. Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful listening to Davis Gloff this afternoon. Bright, shiny, and just a delight.
Thanks Daniel! We are fortunate to have him with us.
I’m trying to find the name of the female singer and the title of the song she sang on last night’s (July 1st) jazz programming between 11:45 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. There is no playlist information for that time slot on the WRCJ website. Please help.
Thank you,
Hello John, that sounds like “Goodbye” by Calabria Foti from the album “Prelude to a Kiss”.
Hey, Worker B,
You got it! Thank you, thank you! I could never have found the artist or the title of the track without your help. I’m not familiar with Ms. Foti’s work, but I’d say she has a really soothing voice.
Again, many, many thanks for your help, Worker B. Much appreciated
No problem, hopefully you’ve found a new favorite!
What does ‘RCJ’ stand for in ‘WRCJ’?
Hi Phil, our call letters mean We R Classical and Jazz!
For the attention of Peter Whorf: Peter, I just finished reading both of your father’s books. I wish I had found them while he was still alive. I am so thankful that he was able to complete this project. It is an important work. I listened to him on Kaleidoscope during my youth and enjoyed them all. I am a Musical Theater fan and especially lyricists and composers. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your dad.
Thank you Larry, we will send your message along to Peter.
Hello! I love the Evening jazz. May 25@8:10 p.m. a beautiful song with horns was playing. Can you tell me the name and artist please. It brought me peace. Thank You.
Hello Lisa, here are the songs from around that time:
8:05pm 05/25/2022 Jazz with John Hill
Never Let Me Go
ARTIST:Roy Hargrove – Mulgrew Miller
ALBUM:In Harmony
LABEL:Resonance
8:14
Portrait Of Those Beautiful Ladies
ARTIST:Rahsaan Roland Kirk
ALBUM:Does Your House Have Lions?
LABEL:Rhino/Atlantic
8:22
Lullaby
ARTIST:Marcus Strickland
ALBUM:People Of The Sun
LABEL:Blue Note
Today 5/5/22 at about 2:02 I heard again your quick promo spot that begins “Hello?………………….this is George Sher?????? and you’re listening to WRCJ”
I can’t quite make out who that is. The pianist George Shearing died in 2011 so it can’t be him. Who is it? Thanks!
Hi David, that’s Detroit Opera legend George Shirley. He was nice enough to record that for us when he stopped by the studio.
To the attention of Carl Grapentine
As I am listening to the PDQ Bach on April 1st, I am Wondering if you recall or are aware of a memorable piece which played (many years ago) on WFMT’s “Midnight Special”, rebroadcasting WCLV’s “When the buzzards return to Hinckley Ohio”. I recall it as an annual event around April 15th, the time of the actual annual return of the birds to that area. These broadcasts were probably before your time at WFMT (I know some were in the 1970’s). Another subject – can you bring “Carl’s Almanac” to WRCJ? (I’m listening via internet in Florida). Nice to hear you. Tom
Hi Tom, we will pass this along to Carl, thanks for listening.
I put your station on earlier this evening for background music for a party, and I’m sitting listening now that my guests have left. I’m enjoying your programming this evening immensely. Thank you so much for what you do. I will be making my annual donation soon.
Thank you for sharing us with your guests, we hope they had fun. It’s nice to hear you are enjoying the programming and thank you for the support!
Hi! I love WRCJ and especially the jazz music, and I just wanted to ask about a song I heard earlier on yesterday’s broadcast (3/13). I believe it was around 7:30-8:00 when I heard it, and today when I went to find it, I couldn’t. The closest I got was “Aeolian Groove” by Dorothy Ashby, but upon closer hearing I realized they weren’t the same (still an amazing little groove!).
Thanks!
kp
Hi listener, here are the songs Linda played around that time:
7:31:41 – The Terry Gibbs Quartet Featuring Terry Pollard – Nutty Notes – The Terry Gibbs Quartet Featuring Terry Pollard – Fresh Sound Records – 5:52
7:40:00 – Abbey Lincoln – I Am In Love – Four Classic Albums (It’s Magic) – Avid Entertainment – 2:49
7:42:49 – Betty Carter – You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me – Four Classic Albums (Out There With Betty Carter) – Avid Entertainment – 2:29
7:45:18 – Teri Thornton – Seems Like Old Times – Teri Thornton Sings Open Highway (Theme From Route 66) – Columbia Records – 3:36
7:48:54 – Sheila Jordan – Baltimore Oriole – Portrait Of Sheila – Blue Note Records/Universal Classics & Jazz – 2:32
7:54:00 – Rodney Whitaker Featuring Rockelle Fortin – Aloogabooga – Outrospection: The Music Of Gregg Hill – Origin Records – 6:06
Hello KP,
I played “Aeolian Groove” by Dorothy Ashby at around 8:13 p.m. followed by “It Might As Well Be Spring” by Christa Grix around 8:17 p.m. So glad you enjoyed the music. The “Swing Set” playlist is generally posted to this website on Monday afternoons. Thanks for listening and for your interest in good music!
Hi – REALLY bad reception all day today (Sunday Mar. 13th) and this time on ALL my radios, not just the one hooked up to my antenna. Is there a problem today? Thanks!
Uh oh, sorry to hear that. Nothing unusual happening here. We lowered power briefly on Friday but are currently at full power again.
Reception is bad again today, even on WKAR! I have a new TV/FM antenna and it’s not working well. They’re going to replace it soon (I hope) with something that will work better. TV is having issues, too. Will let you know how it goes! Thanks!
Sorry to hear that Dorothea, yes let us know how the new antenna turns out. Hopefully it’s nice and tall!
Have a new FM antenna – things have been fine since getting it!!
Hooray! That’s good to hear, we are happy that it is working for you! We know you had some reception troubles in the past.
Many years ago I used William Grant Still CD’s for my music on hold. Many times people would ask to be put back on hold so they could continue to enjoy the music! It was wonderful. Loving the program this morning.
Ha ha, maybe we should try that!
I love WRCJ but since you had the falling out with Tune In and got things running again I have had trouble with my streaming. It will play fine for a while. And then the piece will be so soft that I can barely hear it. Sometimes it happens within the piece that is playing. I am familiar with the softs and louds of Classical Music but this is different because it is like someone turned the volume down. I might add that I can always hear the announcers fine even after a piece that has “played faintly”. Just thought you should know.
At first I thought it was my portable speaker but I can get WFMT Chicago and Sirius Symphony Hall just fine.
Hi Pat, we will investigate. Yes we were off TuneIn for a bit because we changed our stream link which also required a change on their end. In positive news, we just installed our new stream encoder. Lots of updates happening. Thanks for listening.
Thanks for finally having some of Bach’s organ music on “Bach’s lunch” today!! He DID write a few organ pieces. Let’s hear more, please!!
Sure thing Dorothea!
Hi – Another note about reception in my area (Saline). I was not able to listen to WRCJ all day Sunday on my receiver that is hooked up to my antenna. Reception is good when it’s cloudy. As the skies cleared up around 12:30 today, I lost you again! Fortunately, all my other radios (not hooked up to the antenna) are working very well. Any thoughts on this? Another station keeps butting in and I can vaguely hear WRCJ in the background. Thanks! Dorothea Collins
Hi Dorothea, you wouldn’t think cloudy skies would help but maybe they are reflecting our radio waves back down to you. We’ll check with the engineer. We’re also glad you have backup radios!
Hi – Thanks for your reply! I did some tweaking on my receiver and found that I could get rid of some of that interference. Will be interested to hear what you find, also. Thanks again!
Oh nice!
As a dog and cat “mother,” I want to join the chorus of others who love hearing Jake create his own squeaky toy music. He’s a true artiste.
Thanks Katherine! Look for Jake’s new album coming this fall.
Dr. Dave and Peter keep saying the 1/22 Ann Arbor Symphony concert, for which they’re giving away tickets, is at the Michigan Theater. Take it from one who bought a ticket: it’s at Hill Auditorium.
Hi Jeff, we went to their website and their Facebook page and they both say Michigan Theater. Does your ticket say Hill Auditorium?
At one time selection being played info would be shown on my internet radio display. (Echo Show and Como Amico) Would be really great if it returned,
Sorry about that Ken, we had to update our stream setup which made the display stop working. We will work on it.
I have my Beethoven bobble head and it looks great dancing around on my dashboard. However, I am very hopeful there will be a Dr. Dave bobble head in the future.
Ha ha, glad Beethoven is enjoying the road trip!
A Dr. Dave bobblehead? Hmm… perhaps. The first step will be hiring the finest sculptors in the world to capture Dave’s likeness!
A week or two ago in the morning, I tried 90.9 again, and I heard music. Surprise. The Holiday Drive was going on. Could this be a ploy? Would I be able to hear the station when the drive was over?
Ever since the new transmitter was installed, I was not able to hear WRCJ. There was always interference from another station. I contacted the station several times they were kind…but nothing changed. I would hit the dial from time to time in the morning but all I received was tactic. For the moment I am able to hear WRCJ….sometimes it still gets lost in static land… but at least I can hear it for a while … then I just change the dial.
So, I decided to give a small donation. Not as much as in the past, but that may change in the future.
Take care All.
Pat Fisher, Rochester,MI
Hi Patricia, we appreciate the donation! Can you listen online with our phone app or this link:
http://pnj-01.stream101.com:9035/live
Maybe hook up your computer to your speakers?
Hello,
Today is my mother’s birthday. ☺️ Since I was a kid – (many hrs ago) I have been been reminding her that she shares a birthday with one of the great composers of his time and ours. She can start her own Beethoven souvenir collection with the gifts and music she has been given over the years. This year if you could wish her a happy 79th b- day, that would be a nice surprise for her. I can send her your reply. Her name is Sharon.
Thanks as always for playing the good stuff we can’t get anywhere else.
Oh well happy birthday Sharon, we hope you are enjoying some good music and some cake!
Thank you. Sent her your reply just now. I know she will enjoy. Btw, I meant yrs ago… I’m much older than hrs. ago… 🤔☺️ Lovin’ the selections this Christmas. Hope to hear more, especially next week.
We thought it was odd you could write so well at so young… but yes, definitely more Christmas music next week!
Hi. While listening to Dave this morning, he mentioned I could get LVB socks and bobblehead for a $120.00 donation. That is not an option on the website. Can you help me make this happen? Thanks.
Hi Michele, if you go to the link below and scroll down you’ll see the “Beethoven Dashboard” combo for $120. That’s the one you want. https://www.callswithoutwalls.com/pledgeCart3/?campaign=2EA615FD-3E73-4907-88A6-C1922B3F3B08&source=#/home
Haven’t received CD I requested from fall raiser. Have they been sent out yet?
Thanks,
Hi Owen, our delivery time is four to six weeks so if you donated during the fall fundraiser, it should be arriving any time now. Enjoy!
TuneIn issues with Sonos. Are people still having this issue? All other radio stations seem to work.
Best resolution would be to contact Sonos support. Hopefully multiple inquiries to this might resolve the issue sooner.
Hi Christopher, yes it seems there is still an issue with Sonos although TuneIn itself is working. Sorry about that, we will keep at it.
Today is Veterans Day & while listening to 90.9 I am hearing names of veterans are being read. How does one have the privilege of reading the name of a family member? My Uncle Bill was shot down at the beginning of WW2 and I would love to hear or read his name on the radio.
Hi Cheryl, if you visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/909WRCJ there’s a post for today where you can leave your uncle’s info. Thanks!
Thank you for existing!
A friend still living in Michigan sent me a link to music on WDET today.
That, of course, made me think of Judy Adams!
So, a search for Judy (guest host?) landed me at your website.
Imagine my surprise when I started listening over the computer to your music this afternoon. All (most) of my favorites from WQRS are alive and well. This is proof that there is still hope for humanity after all!
Anyway, I now have you bookmarked on my browser screen and I am listening to you from the West Coast.
Live long and broadcast forever, please!
Yes we tried to collect as many WQRS people as possible and present the best classical music, just like the did. We’re happy you found us and from so far away! We will do our best to continue to exist!
Hi! I just signed up as a sustaining member. I really appreciate the shows on WRCJ. I listen while I work and have learned so much (being a total newbie to classical musica) and really enjoy the music. And love the Sousa alarm!
Thank you!
Oh, welcome Bruce! Thank you for becoming a sustainer. You won’t be a newbie much longer, soon you’ll be a classical music expert!
My mom is a musician and we have WRCJ on all day. The house doesn’t feel like home without it. My mom has ALS and it is a welcome distraction. Thank you! We have mailed you a check.
Oh thank you Jen! Your support helps WRCJ stay on the air. We are thankful our music could be helpful.
I greatly enjoy this week of exploring music, keep it up with the interesting music choices!
Thank you Jack, we will try!
Just made my annual donation to WRCJ, in addition to my monthly thank-you for all the wonderful music and commentary day and night, with special thanks to Dr. Dave for making WRCJ happen after the unfortunate demise of WQRS, where we all enjoyed those times up in the studio of the State of Michigan tower on Howard Street and with particular remembrance of Pat McElroy, whom I can often imagine humming along from the nether world, today whispering his own lyrics to “Black is the color of my love’s true hair …”
Thank you Craig! Your gift each year helps keep the station chugging along.
We would like to make our contribution this year directly from my husband’s retirement account. To do so, I need you tax ID #.
Thanks for your beautiful music and commentary.
Barbara Soyster
Hi Barbara, our EIN number is: 38-1440200. Thank you for thinking of us!
Today, May 17, marks the birth of Grammy Award-winning Irish composer and singer, Enya Patricia Brennan, best known as Enya. Born on this day, 1961, in Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland, to a musical family, she wrote incidental music for BBC’s 1980s documentary miniseries, The Celts and for David Putnam’s “The Frog Prince.” By the late 1980’s, she became popular starting with her album, “Watermark.” Enya also wrote two songs for the first installment of Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy, particularly. Coincidentally, Enya loves classical music, which is one of her influences on her music, in addition to traditional Irish music, church hymns and Gregorian chant (she was sent to a Catholic boarding school at the age of eleven and spent several years there). Of course, her magnum opus, though about twenty minutes, would have been “Watermark.” Happy Birthday, Enya.
Hi Natalie, we don’t have any of her albums in the system unfortunately although we might have some down in our yet to be entered CD collection. If we had more time we could have fit one in, sorry! Well, we will try to get some of those pieces in and be ready for next year! Tell your father we appreciate him listening!
Can you let me know the email for “today’s mystery composer” ? I missed the host’s announcement. Thank you . Luba Kytasta
Hi Luba, you can enter for that contest here: https://cloud.connect.americanpublicmedia.org/nationalclassical_sc_encore_contest
Dr. Dave and who ever,
Did you ever hear of Hannes Meyer? He is a Swiss composer and organist. He was in Detroit for a guest tour many years ago. Not sure if he is still alive, but if you could find any of his work and play it sometime, I think you would enjoy it. He recorded on Gold Records about 1989.
I was a guest host with WQRS again many years ago. The Sousaalarm was my work drive wake up. Many memories of the Birmingham concerts. You have been a special source of good music in Detroit for many years, keep it going. Best wishes to you all.
Hi William, thanks, Dr. Dave does indeed have vast musical knowledge. As for the weather reports, he’s not so much apologizing for causing the weather himself but rather unhappy that listeners won’t get the sunshine and nice temperatures that they want. Then again… he is kind of eccentric. Maybe he mistakenly did a rain dance instead of a sun salutation.
I greatly miss that lttle piece Dave Wagner used to play every evening at the end of his show before covid commenced. I think he said it was Bach?
It was bittersweet to hear it because while it is lovely, it signaled that the program was finished. I’d hear that little song, swing my head and look over at the clock (confirming yes… it’s almost 7pm)
And exclaim outloud, “No Dave Wagner, I’m not ready for it to be over”!
The daily drivetime elixir is pure joy and that little song is part of the fun. Dave’s wit and knowledge is absolutely delightful! I would then reluctantly bid him a lovely evening and await the following day’s 3pm elixir dose.
(The magnificence of Maxine Michaels eases the pain for the weekend hiatus)
Thank You WRCJ for all you do!!
And Please, please bring back that little piece at the end of his show that I miss so much!
This is a note for Cecilia Sharpe.
I love the name you have given your program—am listening right now and hope you will continue on the station.
As for theme music I fell in love with Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C# minor when I learned to play it at 12. I’m sure it is an obvious choice but I still vote for it. Best wishes to you!
Marjie Scott