Fifteen

I’ve never forgotten. And I decided it’s an appropriate time to tell you about it.

Years ago, when I was a radio host in another town, I received a note from a longtime listener. He wanted me to know that his very young daughter thought my name was “Fifteen Geronimos.” Think about it. Say it out loud with my name in mind. If your response is “Awww,” I’d fully understand. I’m sure that’s what I said back then.

There’s only one of me. In busy moments, it might be nice to have another, at least until I get caught up on things.

I mentioned this on the 15th anniversary of Classic Mornings, which was just a couple of days ago, on April 1. Fifteen is a milestone number, though a modest one, compared to the anniversaries we celebrate in classical music. But I’ve had well over 3,000 Classic Mornings with listeners during those years. Heh, that’s 15 x 100, twice. And that’s a lot of programs!

As I’ve often said, I never think about the big numbers. It’s enough each morning to focus on the program I’ve prepared, and which I’m excited to bring to listeners. When it’s over, my thoughts turn immediately to the next day’s program. I also spend a bit of time with the upcoming blog and auditioning recordings. All sorts of ideas come into my head while I’m doing that. Some of those make their way into upcoming programs.

But back to “Fifteen Geronimos.” Beyond the charm, it reminds me that everybody listens in their own unique way. No, it doesn’t put pressure on me to figure out how they all listen. That’s not possible. But it does keep me focused on sound and listening. I want all the elements of the program to be enjoyable. I want it to be good radio! I certainly don’t want to get in the way of the music. And most of all, I want to be sure to be right there with listeners, as if in the same space where they’re listening. I’m a radio listener myself. And I know how much I look forward to a radio host who makes a personal connection with me.

I continue to imagine the program as I did right from the outset: as a get together to enjoy listening to classical music along with stories and celebrations related to that music. The initial inspiration was people in my own life who asked me to come over and listen to some recordings they wanted me to hear. It would introduce me to music I found enjoyable, though also some music that didn’t stay with me for very long. But just being together and enjoying the enthusiasm of those who selected the music made for a good time.

I know there’s such a wide spectrum of listeners, from those who may be tuning in for the first time to those who may well have heard nearly every selection I’ve played. I’d love to know the reactions of many different listeners to each day’s music. Over the years, I’ve received a good number of comments and inquiries. I’ve learned from those, as well as from recalling my own early experiences with classical music and those of people close to me.

Are there any particularly memorable “fifteens” in classical music? Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 15 is one of them. On the 15th anniversary program, I played it from the new recording with Claire Huangci and the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra conducted by Howard Griffiths. Mozart also composed movements for a 15th piano sonata, just to accommodate his earlier Rondo in F major, which became the finale of the sonata. And there’s Beethoven’s Sonata No. 15, which acquired the nickname “Pastoral.”

Speaking of nicknames, a week or so ago I played an excerpt from Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 3, which has come to be known as the “Rhenish.” The composer had just been named Music Director for the city of Düsseldorf, which is along the Rhine River. I always feel compelled to explain that. If you didn’t know that Rhenish is related to Rhine, might you hear “Wrenish” as in the bird? Recently, that led my ever-wandering thoughts to wondering if there was a radio station with the call letters WREN. There is, in Charlotteville, Virginia! It’s an oldies station playing all sorts of genres of music, etc. Their logo does include a graphic of a wren, just as Classic Mornings has the bird (at the top of this page) which Laura Adams designed 15 years ago. I wonder if they use the expression “Remember WREN.”

Thank you for your support over the past 15 years. And remember to tune in for Classic Mornings. Join us Monday through Friday from 9-noon on FM 90.9 or online at will.illinois.