Poster Steve Seel
Steve Seel
MPR

SymphonyCast®

With Steve Seel

Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

MacArthur Genius grant winner, John Harbison, was co-commissioned by various artistic groups including the SPCO to create the center of this week's concert: 'Crossroads' for Soprano, Oboe and Strings.

WDR Symphony Orchestra

WDR Symphony Orchestra

He may not be as recognizable in the U.S. as two of his classmates - Esa Pekka Salonen (former LA Philharmonic conductor) or Osmo Vanska (former Music Director of the Minnesota Orchestra), but the reputation of Finnish conductor Jukka-Pekka Sarasate is just as great in Canada, Norway and Finland.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Concertos highlight soloists. It's what they do. And, what makes this LACO concert special is that as they can revel in the fact that each member of the ensemble is a brilliant soloist in their own right.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Overcoming long odds after a serious accident, violinist Augustin Hadelich's ability is all the more remarkable.

San Francisco Symphony

San Francisco Symphony

When was the last time you heard of anyone being inspired by elevator music? MacArthur Genius Jeremy Denk started his latest project just that way - his own Beethoven Journey.

Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra

Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra

Maria Joao Pires is one of our favorite people. Ever. In this Beethoven performance we hear all the elegance, gentle power, and sensitivity for which she's known.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Los Angeles Philharmonic

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Two Beethoven piano concertos on one concert doesn't happen. Ever. But, Leif Ove Andsnes puts two of them side by side in what he describes as his Beethoven Journey.

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Los Angeles Philharmonic

There are hundreds of performers who blow us away with their playing, but both Dudamel and Shaham take it to the next level and also capture our hearts.

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.