In May, we partnered with the Stockton Symphony to produce two one-hour concert specials featuring recorded performances from the 2019-2020 season. If you missed the broadcasts, the two shows are available to listen to on-demand for 30 days from the initial air date. We’ve also included additional behind-the-scenes interviews with composer Chris Brubeck, and soloists Rodolfo Leone and Bella Hristova.

Our first show features the world premiere performance of Chris Brubeck’s Time Out Suite, an orchestral medley of tunes from his father Dave's groundbreaking 1959 album Time Out. The other work in this program is Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 featuring the award-winning pianist Rodolfo Leone. Along with the music, we hear comments from Brubeck about what his famous father might have thought of the work, as well as Leone’s experience of what it was like working with the Stockton Symphony as a last-minute replacement.

Our second show opens with the exuberant Gran fanfarria by Venezuelan-born composer face Giancarlo Castro, an alum of the famed El Sistema program and the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra. Next it’s a fun romp through Franz von Suppés’ Light Cavalry Overture, evoking images of animated cartoons and the Lone Ranger. Finally, the main attraction, Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor, Op 47, featuring violin virtuoso Bella Hristova. In remarks before the performance, Bella describes the technical challenges associated with the great Finish composer’s only concerto. She also talks with Maestro Peter Jaffe about her time in isolation and her experiences with virtual performances.

In this time when attending a live performance isn’t possible, our goal with this Stockton Symphony partnership was to bring the concert hall to you. We hope you enjoy these special performances and interviews!

Paul Conley
Managing Editor, Music & Arts

CapRadio Classical Host Jennifer Reason gave her first live music performance at five years old, and she has gone on to travel the world as a classical pianist ever since. Over the years, she has found comfort in her music — even referring to it as her dearest friend. However, with performances canceled and the arts at a standstill during stay-at-home orders, she had a surprising realization: she doesn't miss it.

We all need a little hope sometimes, especially during a global pandemic. This month Classical Host Jennifer Reason shares songs that have brought her solace and peace even when she turns to silence. One piece titled Happiness Does Not Wait reflects on how we can find happiness even in a world that feels upside down.

This month CapRadio Jazz Music Director Gary Vercelli takes a deep dive to answer the question: What makes a piece of jazz music a contemporary classic? On this journey, he has chosen to share some potentially overlooked contemporary jazz pieces. You'll discover songs like Rosewood from Woody Shaw, who created music with uncompromising standards.

We can’t quite call it easy yet. There is no question that we are living in some incredibly stressful times as the solstice approaches. Regardless, here are 5 classical music gems to add to your summertime playlist to take the edge off.

Summer by Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi’s iconic violin concerto Summer from his super-famous Four Seasons is the quintessential summertime romp. The hottest season of the year is exemplified in the opening bow strokes, then the visceral desires of nature are embodied as the movement takes off. The second movement is shrouded in mystery and the third is a showstopping finish. If this one doesn’t put you in the mood for the season, then I don’t know what will.

Summertime by George Gershwin
Summertime from George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess gives you that lazy porch-hang feel on a hot afternoon, but there is so much more to the song. It’s been called “one of the finest songs the composer ever wrote,” and another composer said they were the ‘best lyrics in musical theater.” Porgy and Bess may have been one of Gershwin’s most important works. But “Summertime” must be his most popular song with over 25,000 recordings.

Le Onde by Ludovico Einaudi
Ludovico Einaudi’s ethereal piece Le Onde is the title track of his 1996 album. The title literally means “The Waves” and takes inspiration from the Virginia Wolfe novel written in 1931. Flowing melodies and peaceful, pleasant harmonies are reminiscent of a calm summer day spent on the beach. In fact, Einaudi says he was thinking of the waves when he was writing the piece. 

Early in the Morning by Ned Rorem
Perhaps you remember being able to sit in the outdoor cafe while breakfasting on croissants and cafe au lait. Those days may be coming back slowly, but in the meantime, we have this wistful reminiscence by Ned Rorem, Early in the Morning to remind us of the easier times.

A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture, Op. 21 by Felix Mendelssohn
William Shakespeare knew that in the summertime, anything can happen. That’s what makes his 16th-century comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream so endearing. Inspired by the Bard’s work, Felix Mendelssohn wrote a concert overture nearly 230 years after the original premiere. Complete with the “hee-hawing” of Bottom, the weaver, whose head was made to resemble that of a donkey. The overture is one of Mendelssohn’s most famous works. He would eventually write music to accompany the play later in life.

Our Daily Breather: Steve Reich Composes During The Coronavirus Cris

Ellis Marsalis, Patriarch Of New Orleans' Most Famous Musical Family, Has Died

New Classical Tracks: Guitarist Sharon Isbin Forays Into Indian Classical Music With 'Strings for Peace'

New Classical Tracks: Violinist Lara St. John Joins Forces With Pianist Matt Herskowitz In The Key Of A Major

Jimmy Cobb, The Pulse Of 'Kind Of Blue,' Dies At 91

Ambrose Akinmusire's New Album Is A Circle In Time, Right Back To His First Jazz Show

June 2, 4:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Opera: Berg's Lulu

June 3, 9:00 a.m.
New York Virtual Opera Fest: The Reception

June 6, 3:00 p.m.
From the Top's Daily Joy

June 15, 10:00 p.m.
Violinist Callum Smart

June 21, 4:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Opera: Verdi's La Traviata

June 25, 9:00 a.m.
Beth Morrison Projects: Opera Of The Week

June 5, 5:00 p.m.
Marcus Shelby Quartet with Angela Davis

June 6, 1:00 p.m
Pickathon Presents a Concert a Day: Ghost-Note

June 7, 5:30 p.m.
Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra

June 12, 5:00 p.m.
Rhiannon Giddens & Francesco Turris

June 26, 5:00 p.m.
Wayne Shorter Celebration Pt. 2

July 2, 5:00 p.m.
Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra

CapRadio Classical Host Jennifer Reason and her choral group RSVP (Reconciliation Singers Voices of Peace) spent the spring 2019 season documenting their preparation for concerts in support of Joshua's House Hospice (Sacramento), the first facility on the west coast to provide hospice care to the terminally ill homeless. Reason’s documentary is now nominated for an Emmy. Congratulations to Jennifer and her team as well as producer Mike Bloebaum and PBS!

As with many organizations, CapRadio has been working behind the scenes to adapt to our socially distanced environment. We're trialing virtual platforms and evaluating new opportunities so we can continue to bring you engaging discussions and entertaining performances — especially through these times.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve held two-way discussions on unemployment with CapRadio’s PolitiFact CA reporter Chris Nichols, Beth Ruyak joined the Railroad Museum’s anticipated Storytime, Donna Apidone interviewed Madeleine Albright in a joint partnership with the Sacramento Public Library and we held our first virtual CapRadio Reads event with author Julia Flynn Siler.

In fact, we’re now expanding CapRadio Reads this summer with free virtual author interviews each month. And because digital platforms allow us to join up with authors and audiences no longer bound by physical geography, we now have an opportunity to widen the pool of talent and curiosity for these intimate discussions. Our next virtual author interview is on June 11 with humanitarian and Holocaust survivor Irene Butter.

We’ll continue to bring you meaningful and inspiring virtual events in ways that make it easy for you to connect with your local public radio station. You can follow our Facebook page and events calendar for up-to-date announcements and registration details. We hope you share this virtual content with friends and family so we can stay connected, even if we’re not able to gather at this time.

Tashina Brito
Community Relations Manager

Join CapRadio and host Donna Apidone for a virtual author interview with Holocaust survivor and humanitarian Irene Butter about her memoir, Shores Beyond Shores. Her story is a poignant message against hate and a reminder of the positive impact one person can make when they decide to be more than a bystander.

If you have any questions that you would like to ask Irene Butter, please submit them here. 

You can purchase your book or audiobook online here.

Latest Podcast Episodes

What To Read — Finding Compassion: Donna Apidone turns to to some lesser-known authors for their insights into life.

What To Read — Inspired By Simplicity: Finding inspiration in the simple things helps Donna Apidone stay connected while staying at home.

It’s time again for Print Radio, CapRadio’s annual design competition. This year’s focus invites artists, creators and designers to illustrate how public radio serves our community. Our listeners rely on our in-depth reporting and appreciate our support of the arts. How do you express your connection to public radio through art? Submissions accepted through July 26.

Looking for classical music during the 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. jazz programming? Check out our 24-hour classical stream.

Listener testimonials are great for generating enthusiasm and support for CapRadio's music programming, especially during fund drives. That's why we want to hear from you, our loyal listeners. Let us know what do you listen to? Why do you listen? How, where, and when do you do most of your listening? What role does CapRadio play in your life?

How to Share Your Testimonial

• Record your story on our Listener Testimonial Line  916-877-4888  or
• Record your story on a smartphone using Voice Memo or similar app, then email the audio to: [email protected]

If you do submit, listen closely during our next on-air campaign and you just might hear your story!

CapRadio and NPR are accessible any time you want through your Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple Homepod smart speaker. To help you out, our digital products team put together a guide so you can easily stream the news and music you love.

In order to better serve our listeners, we now have a web page where you can check the status of our broadcast signals across our coverage areas. You can also report problems you're having and easily access other listening options through our online streaming, mobile app and more.