BBC Symphony Orchestra
On the latest episode of ‘SymphonyCast,’ Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra perform György Kurtág’s orchestral elegy, ‘Stele,’ and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 (‘Tragic’). Listen now with host Steve Seel!
Steve Seel
MPR
SymphonyCast®
With Steve Seel
SymphonyCast - August 17, 2026
1:59:00
BBC Philharmonic
On this episode of ‘SymphonyCast,’ Sueye Park makes her Proms debut, joining John Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in Sibelius’ Violin Concerto. Betsy Jolas’ ‘Tales of a Summer Sea’ opens the program, and for the finale, Strauss’ ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!
1:59:00
BBC Symphony Orchestra
On the latest episode of ‘SymphonyCast,’ Dalia Stasevska leads massed BBC forces in the first night of the 2026 BBC Proms. In the first half, Copland’s ‘Fanfare for the Common Man,’ Gershwin’s ‘An American in Paris’ and Ravel’s Piano Concerto, featuring piano superstar Yunchan Lim. Listen now with host Steve Seel!
1:59:00
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra
On the latest episode of ‘SymphonyCast,’ renowned cellist Alisa Weilerstein joins the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra for Britten’s haunting Cello Symphony, and in the second half of the program, the luminous Symphony No. 2 of Johannes Brahms. Listen now with host Steve Seel!
1:59:00
Philharmonia Orchestra
On the latest episode of ‘SymphonyCast’ pianist Víkingur Ólafsson gives the U.K. premiere of John Adams’ piano concerto, ‘After the Fall.’ In celebration of the Philharmonia Orchestra’s 80th birthday, conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen chose one of his favorite pieces: Ravel’s ‘Daphnis and Chloé.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
On the latest episode of ‘SymphonyCast,’ Simon Rattle leads the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Kirill Gerstein takes the spotlight in Francisco Coll’s Piano Concerto, surrounded by Roberto Gerhard’s ‘Dances from Don Quixote’ and Poulenc’s ‘Les Biches.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!
Minnesota Orchestra
Darkness gives way to brilliance on the latest episode of ‘SymphonyCast,’ featuring Thomas Søndergård and the Minnesota Orchestra. James Ehnes brings elegance and intensity to Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, framed by Esa-Pekka Salonen’s ‘Nyx’ and Nielsen’s Symphony No. 1. Listen now with host Steve Seel!
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
On the latest episode of ‘SymphonyCast,’ violinist Isabelle Faust brings intensity and lyricism to Dvořák’s Violin Concerto, while Susanna Mälkki leads the Danish National Symphony Orchestra through Sibelius’ Symphonies No. 6 and 7. Listen now with host Steve Seel!
Staatskapelle Dresden
On the latest episode of ‘SymphonyCast,’ the Staatskapelle Dresden and conductor Daniele Gatti explore two expressions of German Romanticism, with Gatti’s arrangement of Wagner’s epic ‘Götterdämmerung Suite’ and Strauss’ ‘Ein Heldenleben.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!
WDR Symphony Orchestra
On the latest episode of SymphonyCast, Julia Fischer, one of the world’s leading violinists, delivers brilliance and intensity in Brahms’ Violin Concerto, and Christian Măcelaru leads the WDR Symphony Orchestra through Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10. Listen now with host Steve Seel!
About SymphonyCast®
The Show
SymphonyCast®, with host Steve Seel, is a two-hour weekly radio program featuring a full-length concert by a major orchestra. Material is drawn from Europe’s premier symphony orchestras, along with U.S. orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Nashville Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra.
Our Host
Steve Seel
Steve Seel possesses a broad knowledge of many musical genres, having hosted radio programs ranging from classical to jazz and even avant-garde music at radio stations around the country. Steve began his love affair with public radio at 24 working whatever shifts he could at his hometown station of WUSF-FM in Tampa, Florida, and from there worked his way to snowy Buffalo, New York, and its renowned classical station WNED-FM, where he hosted middays and the weekly experimental-music show Present Tense. In 2005, Steve became one of the founding voices on Minnesota Public Radio's eclectic station, the Current. While there, he hosted afternoons and mornings, and conducted in-depth interviews with pop music luminaries ranging from Brian Eno to David Byrne to Tori Amos. Steve is a basement composer obsessed with all things both minimalist and slow, and might actually be incapable of writing anything that exceeds 75 beats-per-minute.
The Team
Daniel Nass, Producer
Daniel Nass is the producer of SymphonyCast®. He is responsible for creating the sound of the show, including choosing music programming and conducting artist interviews. In his nonproducer life, he is an avid runner and an award-winning composer.
Michael Osborne, Technical Director
Michael "Ozzie" Osborne is the Technical Director for SymphonyCast®. He masters the live and recorded music recordings that are programmed for each SymphonyCast® show. He also enjoys photography, listening to music and bicycling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the name of the composer, performer or piece I heard on the show?
Complete playlist information is available for each show. Click on a specific episode to access a detailed playlist.
What is the theme music at the beginning of every SymphonyCast® episode?
It’s the opening trumpet fanfare from Steve Heitzeg’s Nobel Symphony.
Can I buy a recording of music I heard on your show?
It’s possible, but not likely. Many of the performances that you hear on SymphonyCast® are not available for purchase because they were played at a live concert. In some cases, the musicians have recorded that same music for a commercial CD. If so, album title and recording label information will be available in the episode playlist.
How do I leave a comment?
Use our contact form to send us your thoughts.