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Gustav Mahler’s first symphony is now one of his most popular works, but at its premiere he was flogged by critics for the symphony’s unconventional style. This thrilling ode to nature remains a work of sheer genius and shows how ahead of his time he was.

For centuries composers have been inspired by birds – their songs and their grace. This week we have masterful examples by Haydn, Saint-Saëns, Respighi, and Rossini, each of whom represent birds in their own unique way.

It’s Easter weekend and an appropriate time to feature some of the wonderful music inspired by this ancient celebration. It’s even better when the music is by two of the greatest composers in history.

String quartets have been an integral part of the classical repertoire for centuries and were a staple of home music making. Listen to two late-19th century quartets that build on that tradition and incorporate new, original ideas with impressive results.

Many composers have taken folk and national melodies and given them the full orchestral treatment. Enjoy music from Sweden, Ireland, Wales, and Norway in lush, creative orchestral settings that reveal the music in all its glory.

Summerfest is a sunny Kansas City tradition. On this Classical KC Concert Hall broadcast, enjoy selections from Summerfest's 2023 season including works by Charles Martin Loeffler, Henriëtte Bosmans, Joseph Bologne and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

We have an all-American program for Independence Day including music by Roy Harris, Katherine Ward and Samuel Bates. Plus, no celebration would be complete without marches by John Philip Sousa.

While they’re known as violin sonatas, these masterworks are an equal partnership between the piano and violin. We’ll hear superb examples in two contrasting sonatas by Hugo Alfvén and Ludwig van Beethoven.

Kurt Weill is best remembered for his score to Bertolt Brecht’s “Threepenny Opera” which is featured this week, along with his remarkable Symphony No. 2. We’ll hear two sides of this incredibly creative and gifted composer.

Franz Schubert was prolific, but he wrote only one string quintet that added a second cello to the standard quartet, and it was composed weeks before his death. Hear it in a spectacular performance with a superstar second cellist.