David Schonfeld

What do you like about working at WWUH?

I admire the inclusive mission of the station and its commitment to consistently high standards. This translates to dedicated volunteers and wise management. I appreciate the freedom that broadcasters are given to fashion their own programs and explore their own interests. There's a nice camaraderie among the classical broadcasters even though we have different tastes and styles. WWUH has a world-class library of classical recordings. I'm like a kid in a candy store when I'm browsing the CD stacks. Although I enjoy the music programs, I particularly depend on WWUH's Public Affairs programming to learn what my country is really up to. I listen without fail, weekdays 12-1.

 

Favorite Classical Composers/Works:

All the usual suspects, of course, from the Renaissance to our times. I love Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms, but I like to feature as well the many unfairly neglected composers whose works I have become familiar with. Since 2013, I have been concentrating on Baroque music in my own practice and tend to play a lot of period-instrument recordings on my radio show. I am also interested in the non-dodecaphonic giants of the Twentieth Century: Hindemith, Bartok, Nielsen, Janacek, Shostakovich, Martinu. I revel in the wonderful early-music recordings now available and continue to be amazed at the quantity and quality of great compositions from all eras being rediscovered in our time.

 

Activities/Interests:

For many years I was active in the international folkdancing world. I spent a lot of time in Balkan folkdance music transcription, practice, and performance (clarinet, oboe, recorder, bass, guitar, vocal). In my younger days I had the opportunity to spend time in India, where I studied and played South Indian Classical music, and also yoga. I love walking, swimming, birdwatching, and being a grandfather.

 

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

One of my life problems is that I've never been able to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up! I'm over 75 now, and I still can't decide. There are too many possibilities and not enough time. While attempting to decide, I've worked as a music teacher, yoga teacher, elementary school teacher, and computer programmer.

 

How were you introduced to Classical Music?

My mother was a good pianist and choral singer and my father loved to sing folk songs. My parents took me to classical concerts when they were free and nearby, but I mostly slept through them. It was a favorite uncle and aunt and their son who really kindled my love of classical music when I was around eleven years old. My uncle bought me a clarinet and my cousin gave me my first lessons.

 

Place of Birth:

Bronx, NY

 

Started at WWUH:

2002

 

I want to encourage listeners to write to me with suggestions on format and content.

Please email me at: dschonfeld<at>fastmail.fm