During our June “Classics of Note” campaign, we’re asking you to tell us your favorite symphony or concerto. As our special thank you, we’ll play our listeners’ most-beloved works on air after the campaign. (Donate today and vote for your favorite works!) But what about those of us in the WDAV building? Get a sneak peek of the personalities and tastes of our staff with WDAV’s Classics of Note:

Frank Dominguez – General Manager & Content Director
Debussy’s La Mer
It’s hard to select my favorite symphony or concerto because the selection changes over time and according to my mood. But if pressed, I will select a work that’s not officially a symphony as my favorite in that form: La Mer by Claude Debussy.  The composer called the work “three symphonic sketches” and carefully avoided the term “symphony.” Yet many admirers of the piece have observed that its vigorous  outer sections surround a lighter middle movement in much the same way as a symphony works. Whatever it is, I consider it some of the most gorgeous and profound music ever written. Every time I hear it I’m reminded of the majesty of the sea in all its guises. And…
Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major, RV 537
My favorite concerto couldn’t be more different. It’s the Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major, RV 537 by Antonio Vivaldi. This is the straightforward, light-hearted, joyous music that first drew my attention to classical music when I was just a child. Since then it has been a sentimental favorite.

Mike McKay – Morning Host & Producer of Carolina Live
Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
There are so many favorites that I simply can’t narrow it down to one favorite, but way, way up on the list is Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.  It’s one of the most spectacular piano-and-orchestra showpieces ever created, and I never tire of hearing it.

Ted Weiner, Music Director
Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto, K. 299
This simply is one of the most beautiful musical creations. It transports me to another plane of sheer peace. It is one of the most recorded of all the Mozart Concertos. Flutist James Galway has recorded the work a number of times over the years, with my favorite being the 1978 recording featuring Galway, harpist Marisa Robles and the London Symphony led by the late Eduardo Mata. What particularly stands out for me in this recording is Ms. Robles’s cadenza in the finale…it raises the goose bumps on my skin like no other piece of music.

Will Keible – Director of Marketing and Sales
Holst’s The Planets
The variety of emotions and ideas it conjures as it moves from Mars to Neptune is what appeals to me most. Excitement, turbulence, power, jollity, and mystery all wrapped into one grandiose work. Absolutely brilliant!

Kali Blevins – Marketing Coordinator
Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition
This was the first piece of classical music I fell in love with, and it is one I have performed myself. The movements tell so many vivid, unique stories, and it has an incredible trumpet solo at the beginning.

Rodger Clark – Development Director
Miaskovsky’s Sonata No. 2 in A minor, Op. 81
My current favorite symphony/concerto is: Miaskovsky’s Sonata No. 2 in A minor, Op. 81*
* Note: of course, this is second to anything by Rachmaninoff!

Myelista Melton — Announcer
Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony
It’s a musical rollercoaster of intense emotions.

Kendra Intihar – Assistant General Manager
Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty suite
I love watching the moment that {my daughter] Sadie realizes a Tchaikovsky piece is on WDAV. Seeing her get excited about recognizing a piece of music has made me fall in love with Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty suite. She has loved Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake since she was a toddler, and getting to experience music through watching her make those connections is a treasure. And…
Debussy’s Arabesque, No1.
One night, while I was 6 months pregnant with Miles, I was streaming Debussy’s Arabesque No1 on my laptop.  He danced all over my belly for the entire length of the piece. I think it’s amazing how a piece of music can become so connected with a memory that you can relive a moment every time you hear it.  Debussy’s first Arabesque is now one of my very favorite works.

Jen McGivney – Digital Content Manager
Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9
Dvorak was a Czech who found his way to the U.S. So, too, was my great-grandmother Julia. When I hear his New World Symphony – so thrilling and optimistic at times, yet heartbreakingly homesick at others – I can’t help but wonder about her experience and marvel at her courage. As familiar as the second movement is, I still swoon each time I hear it. Beautiful.

Stacey Perek, Development Assistant
Gershwin’s Concerto in F