It's National Radio Day, and @WETAClassical thanks you for your support! Highlights this morning: a violin/piano duo for Classical Sunrise at 6:26am; Itzhak Perlman & Yo-Yo Ma perform the finale of Brahms's double concerto at 7:37am; and can you identify the composer at 8:20am?

The innovative pianist/composer Alexander Scriabin, contemporary of Rachmaninoff, followed his own artistic path, composing innovative, esoteric works -- he considered himself a mystic. Hear his gorgeous piano concerto today 9:15am @WETAClassical.

A tip of the birthday hat today to Antonio Salieri (b. 1750), composer of operas of emotional depth, mentor to many, including Schubert, Beethoven and Liszt, had a complex friendship with the great Mozart but considered a respectable force of 18th century Viennese Classicism. @WETAClassical.

Alborada del gracioso -- 'The Morning Song of the Jester" -- by Maurice Ravel includes dance passages and simulation of Spanish guitar, this morning 7:29am @WETAClassical. Plus, can you Identify the Composer at 8:00am?

Liberté, égalité, fraternité! Bastille Day @WETAClassical this morning showcases les musiciens Français, including Fauré, Debussy, Berlioz, Rode and Farrenc. Allons enfants, bring a café au lait and croissant and join us.

Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés is thought to have introduced chocolate to Europe in the 16th century after experiencing it in Mexico. Today's World Chocolate Day, celebrated internationally, and it goes exceptionally well with Classical music. Join us this AM @WETAClassical.

Classical Sunrise @WETAClassical follows the sun at 5:43am this morning. Other highlights: a Baroque recorder concerto 6:00am; an example of Haydn's important contribution to string quartet with the finale of his "Emperor" quartet 6:50am; and Renaissance lute duo 8:55am.

Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue this morning (June 12) at 7:00am on @WETAClassical with Leonard Bernstein as both pianist and conductor. Plus Beethoven "Pathetique" piano sonata 8:00am and the scherzo of Dvorak's New World Symphony 8:30am. Hope you're join us.

Classical Sunrise greets the sun with Baroque lute music 5:44am on WETA Classical. And the grand organ pronouncement from Saint-Saëns's "Organ" symphony 7:42am and Paganini's Fantasie for violin/guitar duo 8:49am. Plus Identify the Composer Challenge 8:20am! Bring coffee and join us.

Some highlights on WETA Classical on this Wednesday morning include a graceful Valse Lyrique to accompany the sun's arrival for Classical Sunrise at 5:47am; a Gottschalk's cheerful piano waltz at 7:30am; and the finale of George Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F at 8:50am. Enjoy!

On display at the Mozart exhibit at the Morgan Library & Museum in NYC is the score of Chopin's variations on "La chi darem la mano," an aria from Mozart's brilliant opera Don Giovanni. Chopin's variations are on the bill this morning on WETA Classical at 8:18am. Bring coffee and join us!

The Morgan Library & Museum in NYC is presenting an exhibit of Mozart's personal items (letters, instruments) on loan from Mozarteum Foundation of Salzburg thru May 31. See WETA Classical's Classical Score for my blog about my visit -- a tangible way to experience the real Mozart!

Les Français on display today on WETA Classical, honoring the birthdays of 19th century French composers Jules Massenet and Gabriel Fauré (below), whose lovely violin/piano piece is featured during 7am hour. Plus, Debussy's Fantasy for Piano & Orchestra at 9:00am. Bon jour!

Celebrating the birthday today of two preeminent Romantic-era composers: Johannes Brahms (b. 1833) and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (b. 1840). Feted this morning @WETAClassical. Bring a morning beverage and enjoy with us.

A nod to May Day, a celebration of Spring and cultural festivities like the May Pole, this morning on WETA Classical, including Classical Sunrise 6:12am; part of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony 6:18am; Schumann's 1st Violin Sonata 7:41am; and Fauré's 1st Piano Trio 8:48am. Enjoy it with us.

A few highlights on WETA Classical this morning include Classical Sunrise at 6:14am accompanied by Bach's 3rd Brandenburg Concerto; Mendelssohn's 3rd string quartet 7:08am; a serenade for string quintet, oboe, bassoon and 2 horns 7:39am; and Faurés 2nd Piano Quartet 8:56am. Join us.

The heartfelt 3rd movement of R. Schumann's Piano Quartet accompanies this morning's sun for Classical Sunrise 6:41am on WETA Classical, a Mozart flute quartet 6:47am, followed at 9:00am by Beethoven's innovative "Kreutzer" Violin Sonata (1st mvt). And Identify the Composer 8:26am. Enjoy!

Cherry blossoms now in peak bloom at Washington, DC's Tidal Basin. Here's a link to the Bloom cam to view them live: www.bloomcam.org

Celebrating the birthday of Franz Joseph Haydn today (b 1732) on WETA Classical, an important and influential Classical-era figure who helped establish the string quartet and symphonic forms. His chamber music and piano sonata during 6am hour and his energetic Clock symphony 9:16am.

Birthday today of conductor Arturo Toscanini (b 1867) head of NY Phil, Met Orchestra, NBC Orchestra and conductor of premiere of Puccini's Turandot! And birthday of composer Béla Bartók (b 1881). WETA Classical sunrise at 7:05am greets sun with Mendelssohn chamber music. Bring coffee and join us.

A concerto grosso from GF Handel's great Op. 6 collection accompanies this morning's sun at 7:16am for Classical Sunrise on WETA Classical. Plus, a piano quartet of Gabriel Fauré at 8:38am and Dvorak's Violin Sonata 8:52am. Bring coffee and join us.

Spotlight on chamber music -- small ensemble -- this morning on WETA Classical with Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn and Louise Farrenc during 6am hour; Schumann's Piano Trio #1 greets the sun for Classical Sunrise at 7:26am; and Prince Louis Ferdinand's charming piano quartet 8:25am. Join us.

Some highlights this morning at WETA Classical include Classical Sunrise at 6:34am; Chopin cello/piano duo at 7:19am; charming chamber music of Schubert at 8:46am; and an "imaginary" symphony based on music by Baroque composer Rameau at 9:40am. Daylight Saving starts this Sunday!

Antonio Vivaldi, Baroque composer born on this day in 1678, influential to his peers, early creator of program music, the "red priest" who served as maestro at the Ospedale della Pietà for poor and orphaned children, is feted today with his oboe concerto, 7:47am on WETA Classical.

It's Mardi Gras, and festive music at WETA Classical this morning. A Brahms cello sonata at 6:53am, Handel's Organ Concerto musically greets the sun for Classical Sunrise at 6:58am; the opening mvt of Beethoven's Eroica at 7:13am; and Mozart's PC #23 at 9:15am. Bring a beignet and join us.,

Good morning! Highlights this morning on WETA Classical include a Baroque recorder concerto 6:55am; Part 2 of Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique for Classical Sunrise 7:05am; the finale of Beethoven's String Quartet #9 "Razumovsky" 7:47am; and Liszt's 2nd Piano Concerto 9:24am.

Birthday today of Felix Mendelssohn (b. 1809) from early Romantic era, influential composer of music inspired by 18th century Classical models while infused with expressive, free style emerging in the 19th century. His Violin Sonata in F at 8am today at WETA Classical. Join us. 🎁

All eyes on Pennsylvania's Groundhog Phil today for his prognostication -- more winter or an early spring? Based on medieval Candelmas: "If Candelmas be fair and bright, winter has another flight; if Candelmas brings clouds and rain, winter shall not come again". WETA Classical.

A birthday nod to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who unfailingly captures us with beauty, elegance, depth and wit. Born on this day in 1756 in Salzburg, Austria, as vital today as ever. His statue in Salzburg:

Today's Classical Sunrise at WETA Classical is the finale of Florence Price's innovative String Quartet #2 (comp. 1935) at 7:25am. Plus, the opening movements of two youthful and inventive piano concertos: Rachmaninoff's First at 7:29am and Clara Wieck's at 8:35am. Bring coffee and join us! 🎵☕