From the Archives with Frank Byrne
Saturdays from 11 a.m-noon and Sundays, 6 - 7 p.m.
From the Archives is a curated tour of the world’s greatest composers, conductors and performers, captured in distinctive and memorable audio recordings.
Building on a lifetime of collecting recordings, host Frank Byrne shares the best performances he knows, each with a special element that sets it apart. A lifelong student of classical music, Byrne’s love of collecting classical music is only eclipsed by his joy in sharing it with friends.
Thanks to the wealth of recorded classical music available today, we have the opportunity to explore and consider performances that the average listener may never have heard. Listening together on From the Archives, we will gain insights to those great musicians who truly bring this music to life. Please join us.
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Conductor Pierre Monteux lived a long and active musical life. Among his many accomplishments was conducting the 1912 world premiere of Maurice Ravel’s score to the ballet Daphnis and Chloe. When Monteux made this recording 47 years later, he invested a lifetime of familiarity to create an unforgettable musical experience. -
Over his 89 years, conductor Pierre Monteux led the world’s great orchestras and was chief conductor of over six. His total understanding of the scores and his intimate knowledge of many of the composers he conducted made him a favorite of musicians everywhere. He was both respected and loved by those who played for him and they called him “Maître,” the French word equivalent to the Italian “Maestro.” -
Have you ever heard music by Johannes Brahms conducted by someone who actually met Brahms in person? In the first of three shows about the great French conductor Pierre Monteux, we will hear Brahms’ Second Symphony interpreted by someone who knew the composer. Monteux will also interpret one of the most famous works in the classical repertoire. -
Maurice Ravel was a virtuoso orchestrator who did with music what a great artist does with paints and pastels. One of his most frequently performed works was intended as an homage to Johann Strauss II – The Waltz King – but it changed into a powerful tone poem that took the waltz to new and curious places. We’ll hear four recordings of “La Valse,” each of which will reveal a different perspective. -
Ukrainian composer Reinhold Glière was captivated by the story of the 10th century hero-knight Ilya Muromets. He wrote his third symphony to express the size and scope of the historic story and created a smashing, technicolor thrill ride in four compelling tone poems. -
With over 120 to his credit, John Williams is best known for his inspiring film scores, but he also composed substantial concert music. We’ll hear some of his non-film music as well as an “adventurous” excerpt from one of his most beloved film scores. -
One of the world’s great pianists, Alfred Brendel, died on June 17, 2025 at age 94. He had elected to stop performing in public 17 years prior at age 77, but continued to be active as a lecturer and mentor at masterclasses. Two composers with whom he was particularly associated were Beethoven and Schubert, so in his memory both are represented on this episode. -
Mozart’s music has been adapted in myriad ways – in his lifetime and to this day. We’ll hear two exquisite chamber works in different, but effective instrumentations that Mozart would probably have found intriguing. -
Czech composer Josef Suk, whose summers were always a time for composition, crafted a remarkable and substantial work inspired by summer. -
Lord Byron’s dramatic poem "Manfred" inspired Peter Tchaikovsky to write a sweeping symphonic work based on what Byron called a “metaphysical drama.” The result is a massive tone poem that evokes all the emotions that the printed word could only imply.
