Relive “Classics” From the 1960′s on WVPT

In this “new” program, memorable music appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show” from the 1960s include: The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Doors, the Beach Boys, the Animals, the Mamas and the Papas, the Young Rascals, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Petula Clark, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Sly and the Family Stone, Tommy James and Herman’s Hermits. “Ed Sullivan’s Rock and Roll Classics – The 60’s” – hosted by Paul Shaffer.  Tune in for this special program Saturday November 28^th at 5pm on WVPT.  And you can pledge your financial support to keep great programs on WVPT!

You Can Be “Thankful” For Great Performances On WVPT

Spend Thanksgiving Night with WVPT and enjoy some GREAT Performance programs!

At 8pm tune-in for the new ‘Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring The Rockettes”. This holiday special features numbers like legendary “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and thrill as Santa takes you on a magical ride to his workshop at the North Pole, where playful ragdolls come to life. Everyone marvels at the stunning reenactment of the first Christmas in the “Living Nativity”

 

Then at 9:30 you are sure to enjoy“The Three Tenors Christmas”, a holiday favorite with The Three Tenors, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and the late Luciano Pavarotti. Taped in December 1999 at the Konzerthaus in Vienna, accompanied by the Vienna Symphony and joined by the Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen Children’s Choir, this program features popular Christmas songs such as “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” as well as beloved carols and sacred songs such as “O Holy Night,” and “Amazing Grace.”

On the Next “Live From Lincoln Center” – Joshua Bell

Celebrated violinist Joshua Bell joins Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, live from Avery Fisher Hall, in this LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER telecast. The concert, led by Mostly Mozart Festival Renée and Robert Belfer Music Director Louis Langrée, will feature Haydn’s beloved “London” Symphony, as well as Mozart’s Adagio for Violin and Orchestra in E major and Rondo for Violin and Orchestra in C major, and Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides” Overture and Violin Concerto in E minor.

 Bell is best known for performing the Oscar-winning soundtrack of John Corigliano’s The Red Violin, and his latest Sony/BMG Classics CD release of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical Music Chart. Don’t miss LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER “Joshua Bell and the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra” Wednesday, August 12^th at 8PM on WVPT – Your Source for the Best in Music!

 

This Month – Don’ Miss the Great Performances Special: “Pete Seeger’s 90th Birthday Celebration from Madison Square Garden”

With a career spanning more than half a century, renowned folk artist, political activist, and avid environmentalist, Pete Seeger, turned 90 in May of 2009. In honor of the milestone birthday, a multi-generational roster of artists, whose music has been shaped by Seeger’s vision, gathered at Madison Square Garden on May 3^rd to celebrate his lifetime achievement.

 Joining Seeger for this extraordinary concert event were more than 40 artists, including Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson, Richie Havens, Roger McGuinn, Ani DiFranco, Taj Mahal, Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, and many others who performed songs inspired by Seeger’s music and activism.

 Tune in for Pete Seeger’s 90th Birthday Celebration from Madison Square Garden, Thursday night August 5^th at 9:30PM on WVPT.

Celebrate July 4th with WVPT!

Tune in Saturday night at 8PM for A CAPITOL FOURTH.  It will be the biggest and brightest birthday party in the country, featuring Barry Manilow. Joining him are the National Symphony Orchestra, the Choral Arts Society of Washington and the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin. Broadcast live in high definition before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, even on National Public Radio and around the world to American troops on the American Forces Radio and Television Network.  If you miss it at 8PM, WVPT will repeat the program at 9:30PM.

Great Performances: CHESS IN CONCERT

Before taking Broadway by storm with the jukebox hit Mamma Mia, ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus teamed with lyricist Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita) in 1986 to create an original musical, the cult favorite Chess. Set during the Cold War intrigue of international chess tournaments, the musical dramatizes the romantic checkmate between an American chess champion, his lover and a Russian opponent secretly planning to defect to the West. Idina Menzel (Wicked, Enchanted), Adam Pascual (Rent) and pop superstar Josh Groban headline a concert production from London’s Royal Albert Hall, performing a captivating score that includes the top-40 single “One Night in Bangkok,” as well as memorable songs such as “Anthem” and “I Know Him So Well.”  Tune in  for CHESS IN CONCERT– Wednesday June 17^th at 8PM.

Enjoy an ENCORE Presentation of “The Big Band Years” on WVPT!

Go back in time with the songs that brought the country through the difficult times of World War II in this special. Peter Marshall hosts the program that mixes vintage, live, rare and unreleased footage of bands and vocalists from the 1930s and 1940s. 

 Tune in for this Viewer Favorite Encore Presentation Sunday  June 6^th at 5:30pm and MAKE A PLEDGE to support WVPT!

The Statler Brothers Farewell Concert – “A Statler Musical Celebration”

The very essence of the Statler Brothers  40-year career is captured in this final performance recorded Oct. 26, 2002 , which was the only time they ever allowed an in-door concert to be video taped. All the hits and all the comedy makes this a “must see event”!  Songs on the Farewell Concert: Do You Remember These, Do You Know You Are My Sunshine, Susan When She Tried, Too Much On My Heart, Class Of ’57, Bed Of Roses, Oh Baby Mine, Moments To Remember, Memories Are Made Of This, The Great Pretender, Whatever Happened To Randolph Scott, More Than A Name On A Wall, Flowers On The Wall, Elizabeth, I’ll Go To My Grave Loving You, A Place On Calvary, How Great Thou Art, This Old House, Thank You World, and Amazing Grace.

 Tune in to WVPT and WVPT-HD and make your PLEDGE OF SUPPORT for a “Statler Musical Celebration”  Tuesday June 2^nd beginning at 8PM.  And meet “Grandstaff”  - Wil and Langdon Reid as they perrform live in the WVPT studios.

Josh Groban: A SOUNDSTAGE Special on WVPT!

Josh Groban returns to WVPT and PBS with his latest concert special!  A renowned performer, Josh Groban has thrilled a legion of devoted fans with his flawless baritone and extraordinary stage presence. In this exhilarating new SOUNDSTAGE  presentation, Groban performs favorites from his best-selling albums, including “Alla Luce del Sole,” “You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up)” and “February Song.” Acclaimed trumpeter Chris Botti makes a special guest appearance to join Groban in performing “Broken Vow.”

Tune in Sunday night May 31^st at 8pm on WVPT and WVPT-HD.

“Roy Orbison and Friends” Returns to WVPT!

The CLASSIC concert from 1987: Featuring Roy Orbison (1936-88) as he performs his greatest hits with Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, J.D. Souther and Jennifer Warnes. Songs include “Crying,” “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “In Dreams,” “Dream Baby,” “Only the Lonely,” “It’s Over,” “Running Scared” and “Mean Woman Blues.”

Tune In Thusday night May 28th at 10PM for the half-hour version of the concert.  Repeats of ROY ORBISON & FRIENDS will be scheduled throughout June on WVPT and WVPT-HD, YOUR SOURCE for the best in music!