Susan Lewis

Longwood Gardens hosts its first International Organ Competition on June 18, 19, and 22. WRTI’s Susan Lewis reports on this new initiative at the botanical garden that was once a DuPont family summer home.

The competition features Longwood’s 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ, a panel of distinguished judges, and live performances by the world’s top young organists. The winner receives the world's largest organ competition prize: $40,000.

This week’s WRTI Sunday radio broadcast of The Philadelphia Orchestra features Englishman Simon Rattle, music director of the Berlin Philharmonic, on the podium. WRTI's Susan Lewis has more on this much sought-after international conductor, who has a bond with the Philadelphians nurtured over the last 20 years.

Listen to WRTI on Sunday, June 16th at 2 pm to hear Sir Simon Rattle leading The Philadelphia Orchestra in a program featuring symphonies No. 6 and 7 of  Sibelius, Norman’s Unstuck, and Beethoven’s piano concerto No. 3. Pianist Lang Lang is soloist.

Golf’s U.S. OPEN starts on June 10th in suburban Philadelphia. WRTI’s Susan Lewis considers  the relationship between art and golf in Victorian Great Britain, as a Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibition spotlights an 1847 masterwork.

The Art of Golf runs through July 7th at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The Philadelphia Orchestra has wrapped up its first subscription season under the leadership of its eighth music director. WRTI’s Susan Lewis has more from Yannick Nezet-Seguin on the musical and non-musical achievements of the season. In September, Yannick will open the next season with Beethoven’s 9th Symphony - the start of a two-year cycle during which the orchestra will perform all of Beethoven’s symphonies. Information about subscriptions to the upcoming Philadelphia Orchestra season.

This week, the Philadelphia Orchestra wraps up its subscription season with a special tribute to Wolfgang Sawallisch, who died earlier this year. As WRTI’s Susan Lewis reports, the Orchestra’s beloved former music director forged strong bonds with the musicians he led.

This week, The Philadelphia Orchestra wraps up its subscription season with a special tribute to former music director and conductor laureate, Wolfgang Sawallisch, who died earlier this year.  As WRTI’s Susan Lewis reports, he’s remembered as a master on the podium.

The Philadelphia Orchestra wraps up its subscription season this week with a special tribute to Wolfgang Sawallisch, who died on February 22, 2013.  As WRTI’s Susan Lewis reports, the Orchestra's former music director and conductor laureate shared his musical gifts with audiences at home and abroad, leading the orchestra on eight international tours.

Orchestra concerts don't usually leave people laughing.  But, as WRTI’s Susan Lewis reports, some contemporary composers are combining serious music with comedy. Berlin Philharmonic Music Director Sir Simon Rattle is introducing innovative works to audiences in Germany, and brings an example with him in his upcoming visit to Philadelphia.

On May 16th, 18th and 19th, Maestro Rattle conducts The Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center in a program that includes the music of Beethoven, Ligeti, Webern, and Berg.