muspas

Issue #44

Last Update March 2, 2006

Arts Musical Passions by David Katz There are few commercial classical music stations remaining in this country on either FM or AM radio. The non-commercial stations that play classical music are often college stations, where undergraduates who can barely pronounce the names of composers and performers host shows that are a hodgepodge of musical styles carrying no particular critical point of view. Even the long-running classical programs seem to be reaching a stopping point as their hosts become elderly and infirm. It is with gratitude, therefore, that we note that WCLV-FM in Cleveland has found a knowledgeable person with great enthusiasm and charm to host a new classical music program, “Musical Passions”.

Eric Kisch, “Musical Passions’” host and originator, is an avid audiophile whose personal record collection contains literally thousands of vinyl LPs, shellac 78s and modern CDs. The result of a lifetime’s love of music, this collection is broad enough to encompass every musical style and era, and deep enough to allow performance comparisons among conductors and artists, and even between conductors or artists at different points in their careers. “Musical Passions” draws upon this to provide the content for each program.

As its name implies, the program reflects Mr. Kisch’s tastes and preferences. Fortunately for the listening audience, Mr. Kisch is man of broad tastes, and his preferences reflect his desire for musical perfection. Though somewhat partial to Central European composers, conductors and artists, “Musical Passions” reaches out to the entire world. Nearing the conclusion of its first series of 26 programs, Mr. Kisch has explored such themes as “Low Down but not Dirty” (deeper voices of singers and orchestral instruments, with selections from Bach, Moussorgsky, Verdi and others), “In Black and White and Technicolor” (piano and harpsichord pieces), “So Long It’s Been Good to Know You” (finales and farewells by Strauss, Haydn, Beethoven, Wagner and others), “Valentine’s Day” (love songs from around the world), and other programs featuring Italian opera and blues and much more.

Each piece Mr. Kisch selects is unusual, either for the time in which it was recorded, the artist or conductor, or the circumstances of its creation or performance. With impeccable taste, Mr. Kisch ensures that each piece is worth listening to on artistic merit alone. His introductions, delivered with the faintest trace of an Australian accent, allow the listener to understand why he is enthusiastic, and provide the information necessary to truly appreciate what is being offered.

A new classical music program is cause for rejoicing. That it is so well done makes the joy complete.

“Musical Passions” can be heard Sunday afternoons at 3:00PM on WCLV-FM Cleveland, 104.9, or over the internet by streaming audio at www.wclv.com .