Free Daily Podcast Summary
Classical Music Happy Hour: Daily Summaries Delivered
by WNYC, WQXR
Join renowned pianist and host Emanuel Ax for Classical Music Happy Hour: a new podcast full of music, merriment, and conversation. Manny (Emanuel) talks with an eclectic lineup of composers, performers, and creative voices from the world of classical music and beyond. Each episode explores the guest’s life and career, dives into their favorite classical gems, includes music-inspired games, and folds in questions from listeners. The result is a podcast that feels like a relaxed gathering of friends who love classical music and want others to join the party. Grab a cocktail and press play on a podcast celebrating our love of all things classical music!
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 weeks ago6 min
Manny in the Hot Seat
Producer Lauren Purcell-Joiner puts Classical Music Happy Hour host Manny Ax in the hot seat with the tough questions: What’s his favorite drink? The best book about music he’s ever read? And which composer would he most like to grab coffee with? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Aug 21, 202645 min
Why Manny Loves Aida: A Special from Aria Code
Classical Music Happy Hour host Manny Ax and producer Lauren Purcell-Joyner bring you a special episode from Aria Code, diving into Verdi’s Aida, which is one of Manny’s all-time favorite operas. Together, they reflect on what makes this story so timeless, from the beauty of the music to the real-life stories that reveal just how deeply opera can connect to our own lives. Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Aug 5, 20261h 2m
A Special Live Edition of Classical Music Happy Hour
Host Manny Ax is back for a very special live episode of Classical Music Happy Hour featuring highlights from the sold-out launch party this past March. Joined on stage by Emmy Award-winning actor David Hyde Pierce, author and New York Times columnist John McWhorter, comedian and violist Isabel Hagen, and one very special surprise guest, Manny brings listeners an evening of unforgettable music, lively conversation, games, delicious food, and of course, cocktails. Whether you were there in person or are tuning in for the first time, pull up a chair and enjoy this unique live edition of Classical Music Happy Hour. Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Jul 10, 20260 min
Manny Ax wants to hear from you!
Hi Classical Music Happy Hour listeners! I’m your host, Manny Ax. I’ve heard from so many of you over the course of this season and I’m so proud of this show and the community we are creating. We’re working hard on another season with amazing guests, fun games, your listener questions, and of course great music. But in the meantime, we’re going to try something a little different. So, for the next few months, I’ll be introducing you to new shows, sharing some music, dropping a few surprises, and as always, having a bit of fun along the way. But as we get ready for a new season, we’d also love to hear from you! What were some of your favorite moments from the show? Who would you love to see as a guest? What are some questions you’d like to hear answered? Use this form to submit your questions or send them to us at manny@wqxr.org. We want to hear your thoughts! Grab a drink and stick around as we continue to celebrate our love for all things classical! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- May 27, 202635 min
Ray Chen - superstar violinist wants you to practice
Violinist and social media guru Ray Chen wraps up this season of Classical Music Happy Hour with an in-studio live performance. He chats with Manny about video games, performance anxiety, and his practice app Tonic. In our game, he joins Manny in our game called Is It a Composer or Is it Cheese? Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Ray Chen performed an excerpt from JS Bach’s Chaconne from Partitat No. 2 for Solo Violin, BWV 1004. Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, MWV O14: III. Allegro molto vivace Felix Mendelssohn Mariko Honda & Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra & Keith Clark Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118, No. 2 Andante teneramente Brahms Performed live in-studio by our host, Emanuel Ax Le sorcier: Overture François-André Danican Philidor Prague Sinfonia Orchestra & Christian Benda Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- May 20, 202628 min
Paquito D’Rivera -Beef, Beans and Benny (Goodman)
Paquito D’Rivera is composer, saxophonist and clarinetist whose work spans classical, jazz and latin music. Born in Havana, Cuba, D’Rivera started his career playing with the National Theater Orchestra at the age of 10 and has been on stage for seven decades. During their chat, Paquito and Manny discuss what beef and beans have to do with Benny Goodman playing Carnegie Hall, what kind of music teacher his father was, and all things clarinet. He also joins Manny for an in-studio performance of one of his compositions. In our game, Manny and Paquito decide if a sound is made by a musical instrument or an animal. Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. The piece Paquito D’Rivera and Emanuel Ax perform is Contradanza for Bb Clarinet and Piano, composed by our guest, Paquito D’Rivera. 3 Movements from Petrushka: No. 3, La Semaine grasse Stravinsky Antonii Baryshevskyi, piano Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Symphonie Fantastique Op. 14, H.48, Ronde du Sabbat Berlioz Orchestre National de Lyon & Leonard Slatkin Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- May 13, 202633 min
Yefim Bronfman - master of the keyboard
Pianist Yefim Bronfman, “Fima,” chats with Manny about their decades-long friendship, their love of sports, their surprising anxiety around live broadcast performances. They’ll answer listeners’ questions about recovering from injuries and picking repertoire, even the stuff no one heard of! Fima and Manny work together in our Newly Dead game to identify odd ways composers have died. Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Piano Sonata No. 1 in C minor, Op. 8: II. Adagio Szymanowski Martin Roscoe, piano Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Sinfonia avanti il Barcheggio for Trumpet, 2 Violins and Continuo Stradella Niklas Eklund & Wasa Baroque Ensemble & Edward Tarr Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Armide, Act III Scene 4: Je responds a tes voeux Lully Stephanie Houtzeel & William Sharp Opera Lafayette Chorus & Opera Lafayette Orchestra & Ryan Brown Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Solomon, HWV 67: Pt. III: Air. Ev’ry sight these eyes behold Handel Nicola Wemyss & Barockorchester Frankfurt & Joachim Carlos Martini Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall. Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. The piece Paquito D’Rivera and Emanuel Ax perform is Contradanza for Bb Clarinet and Piano, composed by our guest, Paquito D’Rivera. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- May 6, 202632 min
Isabel Hagen - likes a good viola joke
Comedian Isabel Hagen is a classically trained violist, and a filmmaker. As a comedian, she has been featured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and was a New Face of Comedy at the Just for Laughs festival in Montréal. She talks to Manny about how the viola can be funny and make people love classical music by making them laugh! Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Harold en Italie, S. 472/R. 138: I. Harold aux montagnes Berlioz Philip Dukes & Piers Lane Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro non troppo Brahms Jenő Jandó & Brussels Philharmonic & Ali Rahbari Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio Beethoven Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra & Richard Edlinger Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. The Star-Spangled Banner John Stafford Smith Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy & Keith Brion Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.
About Classical Music Happy Hour
Join renowned pianist and host Emanuel Ax for Classical Music Happy Hour: a new podcast full of music, merriment, and conversation. Manny (Emanuel) talks with an eclectic lineup of composers, performers, and creative voices from the world of classical music and beyond. Each episode explores the guest’s life and career, dives into their favorite classical gems, includes music-inspired games, and folds in questions from listeners. The result is a podcast that feels like a relaxed gathering of friends who love classical music and want others to join the party. Grab a cocktail and press play on a podcast celebrating our love of all things classical music!
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