The springtime Jewish holiday of Passover is about liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. In this one-hour special, superstar violinist Itzhak Perlman shares Passover music from many traditions, plus songs and memories from his childhood in Israel. The program draws its shape from the Passover seder and, like that ancient family ritual, the music gets progressively giddier as the show moves along.

Violins of Hope is an original WDAV special, which consists of concerts performed at the Knight Theater and Dana Auditorium at Queens University in April 2012 during the Charlotte residency of the exhibit Violins of Hope. Presented by the UNC Charlotte College of Arts and Architecture in a variety of venues, the project displayed violins that survived the holocaust and were lovingly restored by Israeli craftsman Amnon Weinstein. In addition there were lectures and concerts, and the program features highlights from the musical performances.

A perennial favorite, Hanukkah Lights features Hanukkah stories and memoirs written by acclaimed authors expressly for the show as read by Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz.

Frank Dominguez shares traditional Spanish language villancicos of the season and sacred works by composers such as Joaquín Rodrigo, as well as traditional international carols and Christmas songs performed by Hispanic artists such as tenor Plácido Domingo and pianist Gabriela Montero. (An original WDAV production)

Listen to an updated version of a public radio tradition hosted by NPR's Lisa Simeone. Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of Dickens' holiday classic.

The gentle sound of the Night Music is the ideal way to usher in the holiday. Frank Dominguez hosts.

Fred Child shares highlights from great seasonal concerts across the country and around the world.

A perennial favorite featuring the Minneapolis-based ensemble, VocalEsssence. Recognized internationally as one of America's premier choral arts organizations, VocalEssence is led by the visionary conductor Philip Brunelle.

A celebration of "the father of American music," Stephen Foster, born on July 4th 1826.  Hear performances of his works by talents such as Marilyn Horne, Thomas Hampson, Itzhak Perlman, and Leopold Stokowski leading the Philadelphia Orchestra.  Naomi Lewin hosts.

Join WDAV for a LIVE broadcast of the Charlotte Symphony's all-Tchaikovsky program. Cellist Joshua Roman joins the orchestra for Variations on a Rococo Theme. Also on the program, selections from Swan Lake and the Symphony No. 4. WDAV's Mike McKay and Matt Rogers host the broadcast from the Belk Theatre of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.

Don't miss our annual Oscar Preview with film music scholar and Davidson College Professor Neil Lerner discussing the five nominees for this year’s Academy Award for Best Original Score. You’ll hear excerpts from Warhorse and The Adventures of Tin-Tin, two Steven Spielberg films both with music by John Williams, as well as from Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; The Artist; and Hugo directed by Martin Scorsese with music by Howard Shore.

Karin Bliznik, Associate Principal Trumpet of the Atlanta Symphony, and pianist Bruce Murray, Dean and Artistic Administrator of Brevard Music Center, give a live performance in the Clark Performance Studio at WDAV and play Neruda and Mozart.

Pity poor Beethoven. Because of WDAV’s traditional focus on holiday music in December, the great master’s birth anniversary has usually been overlooked. But not this year!

This weekend a newly-minted Carolinas tradition returns for its second year: An Old Salem Christmas with the Winston Salem Symphony performs Saturday night at 7:30 and Sunday afternoon at 3 at Old Salem Museums and Gardens.

Winston-Salem Symphony music director Robert Moody speaks with us about the program for this year’s concert which includes an 18th century symphony discovered in the collection of the Moravian Foundation, as well as The Adoration of the Magi by Respighi.

WDAV presents a reprise of our festive celebration of the Appalachian folk traditions and other styles native to the Carolinas. Center stage will be two-time female vocalist of the year Kathy Mattea singing fresh arrangements from her acclaimed holiday albums, plus the Carolinas’ premiere choral ensemble, VOX, as well as Baroque/Celtic trio The Beggar Boys. You’ll hear African-American spirituals, folk favorites, Celtic jigs, and even the Biltmore’s renowned 1916 E.M. Skinner organ.
(An original WDAV production)

Celebrate Franz Liszt's bicentenniel with WDAV's Liszt-o-mania!

Enjoy one of Britain's favorite musical traditions and liveliest concerts in a LIVE broadcast! This year's program features pianist Lang Lang, soprano Susan Bullock, the BBC Singers, and BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Edward Gardiner conducts. Brian Newhouse hosts.

The Western Wind and guest cantors
Leonard Nimoy, narrator

From the sounding of the shofar to the eating of apples and honey, the traditions of the Jewish High Holy Days are illuminated in an hour of stirring sacred music with narration explaining the significance of the observance. Part One is about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

From the sounding of the shofar to the eating of apples and honey, the traditions of the Jewish High Holy Days are illuminated in an hour of stirring sacred music with narration explaining the significance of the observance. Part Two is about Yom Kippur, the deeply devotional penitential holiday.

Hear how Felix Mendelssohn’s forgotten music is given new life by performers such as pianist Orion Weiss and the Shanghai Quartet.

The Spoleto Festival USA is just around the corner, and you can get a preview of the wonderful chamber music performances in store there direct from the series’ artistic director, Charles Wadsworth!

Saturday, 3/28/09, 2 p.m.

Fred Child hosts the live broadcast from St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Charlotte. Calin Lipanu, Charlotte Symphony concertmaster, leads the musicians in Bach and Vivaldi.