The Record Shelf with Jim Svejda

Hear the “The Record Shelf” on Classical 89 on Saturdays at 8 a.m. at 89.1 FM and 89.5 FM (southern Utah County) and online at www.classical89.org/streaming

Everything you wanted to know about classical music but were afraid to ask is answered on "The Record Shelf." Hosted by Jim Svejda, one of the most respected critical voices in classical music who has guided the program since 1983 when he launched it, "The Record Shelf" brings listeners imaginative thematic classical programming.

Svejda reviews old and new recordings and presents artist retrospectives and insightful interviews. His "thumbnail" sketches of individual composers are one-of-a-kind programs, and his expert, irreverent and highly opinionated style has made "The Record Shelf" a favorite classical series among loyal listeners throughout the United States.

Host Bio:

Jim Svejda is one of the most respected, critical voices in the classical music field, and he is one of the most entertaining program hosts on public radio. He has been delighting KUSC/Los Angeles listeners since 1978 with his witty, meticulously crafted essays on diverse composers, conductors and artists — and his commentary on a wide range of other subjects that attract his musical fancy.

Svejda is the host and producer of the nationally syndicated radio series "The Record Shelf." He is heard throughout the L.A. area on "Music 'til Midnight with Jim Svejda." He is also a noted film critic, whose reviews are broadcast on the CBS Radio Network.

Program Schedule:

May 10
“A Buyer s Guide to the Bach Cantatas” – an updated survey of the best of the readily available recordings.

May 17
THE BEST OF THE RECORD SHELF.  An encore broadcast of a conversation with guitarist Pepe Romero.

May 24
“The Cortot Concertos” – in the first of two programs devoted to Alfred Cortot’s controversial concerto recordings, his versions of the Schumann Piano Concerto and the Franck Symphonic Variations

May 31
In the second of two programs featuring Alfred Cortot s concerto recordings, his versions of the Piano Concerto No. 2 by Chopin and the Concerto for the Left Hand by Ravel.

June 7
A comparative survey of the recordings of Berlioz s song cycle Les nuits d ete.

June 14
“Young Johnny” – the earliest recordings by conductor (and cellist) Sir John Barbirolli.

June 21
“My Father, Leroy Anderson” – in the first of two programs, Kurt Anderson discusses his father s life and music.

June 28
In the second of two programs, Kurt Anderson discusses his father Leroy Anderson s life and music.

July 5
“With enemies like these” – Early recordings of Stravinsky s Petrushka and Firebird Suite with Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

July 12
The Record Shelf Record Reviews.  An hour of critical reactions to the latest compact discs.

July 19
THE BEST OF THE RECORD SHELF.  A second airing of the controversial “The Emperor Lang Lang’s New Clothes” a critical study of the career of the Chinese pianist
Lang Lang.

July 26
“High Camp” featuring the more serious recordings of the popular Italian violinist, Alfredo Campoli.

Aug 2
A conversation with the Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken.  (The first of two programs.)

Aug 9
The conclusion of a two-part conversation with film composer Alan Menken.

Aug 16
The great German conductor Erich Kleiber in a program of historic recordings of music by the Strauss Family.

Aug 23
“A Buyer s Guide to the Mozart Piano Concertos” – an updated survey of the best of the readily available recordings.

 Aug 30
“Prime Stern” – an hour of the astonishing early recordings of violinist Isaac Stern.

Sept 6
A conversation with the young American pianist Jonathan Biss.