Real Living with Robin Rilette

The Relief of Derry Symphony

Painting by Julius Guzy.

About 12 years ago I was wandering through the folk section of Northwest Public Radio's music library when I came across a work by Irish composer Shaun Davey called "The Relief of Derry Symphony." As morning classical music host the word symphony naturally caught my eye so I took a listen. Wow! I was blown away by this amazing work. How in the world did this ever end up in the folk section? I included it in my program the very next day and the reaction was immediate and very positive.

I hope that you enjoyed No. 49 on Northwest Public Radio's "50 Favorites!" You can find links to purchase the cd on Shaun's website under Albums. Watch this video for more information on the seige of Derry.



Here's a picture of the Derry Guildhall where the symphony was recorded back in 1990.

Florence Foster Jenkins

Florence Foster Jenkins was a true original, an eccentric if you will. For a number of years Northwest Public Radio aired a request program once a month called First Friday. One month we received a request for Mein Herr Marquis, sung by Florence Foster Jenkins. At that time, we had an extensive LP collection so I searched the archives and found an old LP called
The Glory of the Human Voice.
I put the LP on the turntable and stood in stunned silence. I called fellow music host Gillian Coldsnow over to listen. I'm not sure how long it took before we realized that a musical practical joke had been played on us, but when we did we both burst into laughter! Guess what? We actually played the piece on that month's edition of First Friday. Guess what again? We had listener requests for more!

Remember when exercise used to be called "playing?"

This video was sent to me by a Northwest Public Radio listener. At the end of this video is the saying,"Fun can obviously change behavior for the better." Hello? Didn't we all know this as children? Exercise, that thing that we need to schedule, get up early for, change clothes for, etc; was what we naturally did as children. It was called playing!















"Can _________ come out to play?" Those classic words that we all grew up with and that were generally followed by riding bikes, rollerskating, tree climbing or games of kick ball, tag or hide and seek. Playing was exercising.



Here's a link to the funtheory.com site showing entries for an award for best idea.

Diane Rehm you rock!

Diane Rehm with Maxie.

Dear Diane,

You've always been one of my favorite NPR personalities. Even though the last hour of your program airs opposite my morning classical music program I still like you (wink, wink). Hey! What's wrong with a little friendly competition! We're playing on the same public radio team after all.

Here's why, in addition to being a fan of your thoughtful, reasoned, compassionate and intelligent interviewing skills, I now say that you rock! You are donating
an autographed, framed photo and Top Dogs book to the Cesar and Illusion Millan Foundation that supports dog shelters around the country with donations and grants.


You go girl!

Sincerely,

Robin Rilette
Music Director
Northwest Public Radio

Dreams do come true!

It's not every day that you get to speak with one of your heroes but this week I did! Cesar Millan, known to fans worldwide as the Dog Whisperer, spoke with me about his latest book How to Raise the Perfect Dog. Click here to listen to the full interview.


Here's a quick story about what you didn't hear in the interview. I think you'll get a kick out of it! When I personally thanked Cesar and he responded by thanking me in turn, my response went something like this...."oh...uh...ah....uh huh....oh...manical laughter....you're welcome." Yes, I AM a radio professional!

Here's a short video about Mr. President, one of the four puppies that he raised for his new book.

A Season of Symphonies

As you can see by the Yakima Symphony Orchestra's banner they are expecting a banner year! For the first time in their history they are "conducting" a search for a new Music Director. The YSO received 105 applicants from three continents for this position. I think that would make retiring Music Director and Conductor Brooke Creswell very proud.


Brooke Creswell has been Music Director and Conductor of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra since its inception back in 1967 under the name Yakima Chamber Orchestra. Brooke remains with the YSO in the capacity of Artistic Director this season. To read more click here.

Brooke will also conduct the season opening concert on November 1st featuring a piece about the national Mexican holiday knows as Dia de lost Muertos or Day of the Dead. Also on that program is Lux Aeterna written by Morten Lauridsen
born in Colfax, Washington.


Other season highlights include the YSO's principal cellist, Kara Hunnicutt in Ottorino Respighi's Adagio con variazioni featuring conductor Viswa Subbaraman.










Pianist Regina Yeh joins the Yakima Symphony and conductor Nikola Caoile in Frederic Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in f.


Check out the other conductor candidates and buy your tickets to be a part of this exciting season!

A Season of Symphonies

Adam Stern and the Seattle Philharmonic's 2009/2010 season focuses on both the tried and true and the tantalizingly new.


Their season features everything from Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree narrated by Adam Stern's daughter, Ella, to Maurice Ravel's Bolero.


Check out their full schedule on the Seattle Philharmonic link above and click here to purchase your season tickets.

A Season of Symphonies

The Wenatchee Valley Symphony's 63rd season, led by conductor Marty Zyskowski, features a wide variety of sounds and styles.



Conductor Marty Zyskowski with his group the Blue Notes. Marty's the one playing the drums!

Marty Zyskowski a few years later....
The Wenatchee Valley Symphony and Marty Zyskowski.


Sarah Wynter and other young artists join the WVS in their opening concert "Rising Stars.


In December join the Wenatchee Valley Symphony in a performance of Handel's "Messiah" with a special opportunity for you to exercise your vocal chords!



















Their February concert, "Mozart and the Movies" has everything from the poignant and stirring anthem "Dry Your Tears Afrika" from the Steven Spielberg film "Amistad"




















to a tribute to Bugs and the gang!


Their finale concert in April features one of the most romantic symphonic pieces of all time. The picture is a big hint!

Click here ticket information.

A Season of Symphonies

Check out the 2009/2010 season of the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra! The season begins on October 3rd with "Bernstein and Blues" featuring the group Realtime.

In November, internationally reknown violinist, Sarah Chang performs Johannes Brahms "Violin Concerto in D."

February brings Texas bassoonist Martin Kuuskmann who looks and apparently plays like a rock star!

The "Celestial Classics" concert in March features local favorite Dan Sabo in Grieg's "Piano Concerto in a."

Rising star Erin Wall joins the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra for the profoundly moving "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs" in April.


Artistic Director and Conductor Roger Briggs has put together a great season. Get your tickets here and enjoy the music!

A Season of Symphonies

See - Hear - Enjoy
What a fantastic motto for the Bayshore Symphony! You will certainly do all three during their 2009/2010 season. Artistic Director and Conductor Kathleen Barraclough and the Bayshore Symphony have a truly outstanding season prepared for you.



Among the musical highlights are performances of Franz Joseph Haydn's "Symphony No. 101" nicknamed "The Clock" for the steady, ticking rhythm in the second movement.





















Also, you'll enjoy a visit from Mickey Mouse, or at least hear one of his favorite pieces of music, and experience the music and majesty of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

A Season of Symphonies

You can "hear the beauty" and "feel the passion" of the Walla Walla Symphony from the opening strains of the first performance of their 102nd season, Autumn Prelude.

Beginning October 13th, Music Director and Conductor Yaacov Bergman takes you on a journey through Europe and the New World.




From Howard Blake's
The Snowman,
to a collaboration with the Eugene Ballet in Tchaikovsky's
"Sleeping Beauty," you will find a treasure trove of music to excite, delight and inspire you.
Get your season tickets and enjoy!

A Season of Symphonies

The Port Angeles Symphony kicks off their 2009/2010 season on September 25th and 26th with their Pops & Picnic conerts. Check out the link above for the full details on their entire season.



Conductor Adam Stern is leading the Port Angeles Symphony in a season of tributes, surprises and special guests.



Pianist Alexander Tutunov joins the PAS in the music of Sergei Prokofiev.













Also on tap, and the pun if fully intended here, is Morton Gould's Tap Dance Concerto.


Near and dear to Conductor Adam Stern's heart is the Ralph Vaughan Williams tribute concert in March featuring Vaughan William's little performed The Pilgrim's Progress,

A Season of Symphonies

Happy Birthday to the Mid-Columbia Symphony! They are 65 years young! How are they going to celebrate?
















Conductor Nicholas Wallin.









Well, with some Michael Torke! What could be more celebratory than Javelin, a piece commissioned by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympics in celebration of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's 50th Anniversary Season.














Also during their 65th season experience Verdi's
Requiem, Brahm's Symphony No. 2 and Samuel Barber's iconic Adagio for Strings.