Periodically VPR Classical features a special artist or occastion throughout the day. It's a chance to spend more time with the artist and to better understand the world in which music is created.

St. Patrick's Day, Spring, and Bach’s Birthday

March 17-21, throughout the day on VPR Classical

What do you get when St. Patrick's Day, the first day of Spring, Bach's birthday and Easter all fall in the same week? A lot of wonderful music! Listen to Cheryl Willoughby, Walter Parker, and Joe Goetz on VPR Classical all week for special programming honoring all of these occasions.

... speaking of St. Patrick's Day, you could join VPR on our Citizens of the World Tour to Ireland this year. Check out the Citizens of the World page for more information.

Monday, 3/17 (8am to 7pm)
St. Patrick's Day

We're "going green" with jigs, reels, and lots of traditional Irish sounds to keep you dancing through the day!

Wednesday, 3/19 (8-10am)
St. Joesph's Day and the date the swallows traditionally return to the
Mission San Juan de Capistrano

Starting at 8 Cheryl features music from the 'regular Joes' of classical music (Giuseppe Samartini, Giuseppe Verdi and others). Then at 9 we'll hear birdsongs in music including Respighi's "The Birds" and
Schmelzer's "Cuckoo Sonata"

Thursday, 3/20 (8am-7pm)
First Day of Spring

Cheryl's morning music will feature sounds for the new season including Claude Debussy's "Printemps", spring songs by Franz Schubert, and
Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" finale from the 9th Symphony

Walter welcomes spring with Robert Schumann's "Spring" Symphony (from the new Mahler Edition set), and Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring"

Starting at 3, Joe gets into the spirit of the season with Christian Sinding's "Rustles of Spring"; Vivaldi's "Spring" Concerto from the Four Seasons; and Benjamin Britten's "Spring" Symphony

Friday, 3/21 (8am - 7pm)
J.S. Bach's birthday and Good Friday

In the 9am hour Cheryl honors Bach with the gorgeous "Er'barme dich" chorus from his St. Matthew Passion.

At 10am, Walter will feature Paul McCreesh and the Gabrieli Players with a full performance of the St. Matthew Passion

In Afternoon Classics with Joe Goetz, listen for Bach's Cantata #4 "Christ lag in Todesbanden"; Antonio Lotti's "Crucifixus"; and the "Lamentatione" Symphony #49 by Joseph Haydn