Videos allow WQXR to share music and tell stories in ways that go beyond our traditional role as a broadcaster. Here are 11 that we consider particularly unique or extraordinary.
1. Joseph Calleja Sings "O Sole Mio" with pianist Alan Hamilton
The tenor Joseph Calleja usually performs in large opera houses and concert halls but on this occasion, his vibrant voice filled the intimate confines of WQXR's Cafe. Watch as he's joined by pianist Alan Hamilton in "O Sole Mio" (above) and "E lucevan le stelle" from Puccini's Tosca.
2. Avi Avital and the Venice Baroque Orchestra
Mandolinist Avi Avital came to The Greene Space on March 12, 2015 for a sold-out evening of Vivaldi and other 17th century composers. Joining him were members of the acclaimed Venice Baroque Orchestra. The show included this performance of Vivaldi's Concerto for Violin in A Minor, RV 356.
3. Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk Play Franck's Sonata in A major, 4th Movement
Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk have each led accomplished, if rather different, careers. In this early gem from WQXR's Cafe Concert series, the violinist and pianist perform the final movement of Franck's Sonata in A Major.
4. Central Park Becomes a Character in a Debussy Performance
Central Park becomes a character in this video of The Knights chamber orchestra performing Debussy's languid Prelude to an Afternoon of a Faun. Eric Jacobsen conducts.
5. Meredith Monk Shows Us Around Her Loft
Q2 Spaces, Q2 Music's ongoing series of house-and-studio video tours, visited the home and rehearsal space of Meredith Monk. The pioneering vocalist and composer talks about her collaborations and life as a practicing Buddhist. After seeing her loft, watch her perform at WQXR.
6. Juan Diego Flórez Owns 'Una Furtiva Lagrima'
The tenor Juan Diego Flórez came to The Greene Space last year to perform some of the bel canto tenor roles for which he has drawn much acclaim. Above is the showcase aria from Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore (The Elixir of Love).
7. Daniel Hope Pays Homage to Ravi Shankar
East and West met, so to speak, in the WQXR Café. The occasion was a performance by Daniel Hope, the English violinist, Gaurav Mazumdar, a virtuoso on the Indian sitar, and Vishal Nagar, a tabla player. Their collaboration was built on the idea that two distinctive cultures can share unlikely yet often reciprocal inspirations. "I enjoy it,” Hope said. “Though I don’t think I’ll want to play the Brahms Concerto sitting down on the floor.”
8. Afiara Quartet Beethoven String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 131
WQXR's Beethoven String Quartet Marathon was the first of several epic surveys of major composers' works (Beethoven piano sonatas and Bach organ works followed). As part of that first marathon, the Afiara Quartet presented Beethoven's String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 131 in The Greene Space. This sprawling, seven-part score was featured as in the film "A Late Quartet."
9. 'Barihunk' Nathan Gunn's Top 5 Shirtless Roles
Baritone Nathan Gunn has received almost as much fame for his strapping build — and unbuttoned shirts — as for his vocal and dramatic talents. For this "topless five," we asked him to name the most memorable roles in which he had to shed some clothing for the sake of the art form. Gunn also performed in the WQXR Cafe.
10. Matt Haimovitz Crashes the Highline with Bach's Cello Suite No. 6
As the summer of 2012 drew to a close, WQXR hit the outdoors for this unusual concert performance. Unlike the large-scale concert broadcasts from Central Park or from the far away scenic bliss of Switzerland, this took place above the streets and city din of Chelsea.
11. Pablo Villegas plays Tárrega's electric Gran Jota de Concierto
The up-and-coming guitarist Pablo Villegas presented music from his native Spain in this Cafe Concert. It included Tarrega's Gran Jota de Concierto, a piece based on the Spanish Jota, a folk dance with lots of earthy sounds and intense strumming effects.