Beethoven walks into a bar...

In this week’s season finale, we take a deep dive into the question on all of our guests’ minds… “What would you ask Beethoven?” We revisit some of the most intriguing questions asked by our guests over the course of the first three seasons and take a closer look at them. Plus, Jason, Mike and Stephanie each reveal their question for Beethoven. Join us this week on Beethoven Walks into a Bar!

Episode 317 Playlist

Cat Music Sample Video

PDQ Bach - Beethoven's 5th Symphony

In this week's episode, we commemorate Memorial Day by honoring our troops and veterans as we shine a light on our country's premiere military bands. We chat with Gunnery Sergeant Joseph DeLuccio of the United States Marine Band, an oboist in "The President's Own" for the past 16 years. What is it like performing in one of the most prestigious ensembles in the country, in a band that plays gigs like presidential inaugurations and major White House events? Joe shares about getting star-struck, traveling the country and serving as a musical ambassador for the United States. All this and more, this week on Beethoven Walks into a Bar.

Episode 316 Playlist

This week's guest puts Mike, Stephanie and Jason to shame with his real-life radio voice. Classical KC director Stephen Steigman talks about launching a classical music station in the year 2020, the importance of highlighting local arts organizations, and making the seamless transition from trombone player to radio broadcaster. Plus, be sure to check out 91.9 Classical KC for Kansas City Symphony performances and all of your other classical music needs.

Kansas City Symphony on Classical KC

Classical KC - From the Archives with Frank Byrne

This week is all about hobbies...whether its knitting, gardening, barbecuing or golfing, our hobbies are what have kept us sane throughout the past year. In this episode of Beethoven Walks into a Bar, we meet the ultimate hobbyist Larry Figg. When he's not playing cello in the Kansas City Symphony, you can find Larry flying radio controlled airplanes, making videos, stargazing, and...juggling! We talk with Larry about all of these hobbies and more, this week on Beethoven Walks into a Bar!

Anthony Gatto at the Monte Carlo 30th Festival Performance

Anthony Gatto is Better than you can Imagine!

Larry Figg Summertime Juggling Reel

On this week's episode of Beethoven Walks into a Bar, we welcome the captain of the clarinets, Raymond Santos. In addition to talking reeds, auditions, and Beethoven, we explore the equally important topics of cooking lessons, unhealthy sodium intake, and strawberry margaritas. Plus, one of our hosts has finally broken their losing streak on Bar Talk! Find out who is no longer a loser, this week on Beethoven Walks into a Bar.

Episode 313 Playlist

This week, Mike talks with friend of the symphony, Father Paul Turner. They explore the connections between music, service, and faith. You’ll also learn that you don’t necessarily have to be an elite athlete to letter in high school sports.All this and more, this week on Beethoven Walks into a Bar.

Episode 312 Spotify Playlist

This week's episode features a chat between Stephanie and fellow local arts educator Alex Espy. Alex is a great friend of the Symphony having joined the orchestra on stage for a number of educational performances over the past decade. He and Stephanie reminisce about giant toy boxes, cardboard cities, and the insane antics of local KC mascots playing it up in Helzberg Hall. Plus, they discuss the many ways art can become a child's voice, safe place, and so much more, this week on Beethoven Walks into a Bar.

Mesner Puppet Theater

In our first Beethoven Walks into a Bar "Spring Short," Jason sits down with his old boss and good friend Teddy Abrams, Music Director of the Louisville Orchestra. We hear all about Teddy's creative and adaptive programming at the LO this year (with not only the pandemic, but in the aftermath of Breonna Taylor's death in Louisville," where they see orchestras heading in the future, and they catch up on all things whiskey related in the bourbon capital of the world. This week on Beethoven Walks into a Bar.

Rolling Stone The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

Podversation with Yo-Yo Ma and Teddy Abrams

NPR Interview with Teddy Abrams, Jecorey Arthur, and Ari Shapiro

Have you ever wondered why the KC Symphony is the envy of the orchestra world? What makes us tick? Well, in addition to world class musicians, an incredible staff, and an extremely supportive community, we are blessed to have a dynamic Board of Directors. We have the honor of sitting down this week with one of our incredible board members, Gena Williams. We learn how she fell in love with music, what she and her colleagues on the board are doing behind the scenes to keep this orchestra at the top of its game, and why a night at the Symphony makes the perfect date night. This week on Beethoven Walks into a Bar.

Kansas City Symphony MUSIC TALK Videos

Mobile Music Box

Can you believe it? Beethoven Walks into a Bar is one year old and still going strong 41 episodes later. As we celebrate the birth and growth of the Kansas City Symphony's podcast, we also celebrate the arrival of Spring. Join us this week as we chat about our favorite Spring-inspired music, memorable performances, Spring-themed drinks and Jason's impeccable French. All that and more in this episode of Beethoven Walks into a Bar.

Episode 308 Playlist