CPR Classical

Oscar and Grammy-winner Jon Batiste applies his considerable chops as performer, composer, and arranger to reimagine some of Beethoven’s most iconic pieces, and it’s like rediscovering this music all over again! 🎹❤️

All little bluesy, a little jazzy, and full of heart and soul, Batiste told the AP ahead of the album’s release, “The approach is to think about, if I were both in conversation with Beethoven, but also if Beethoven himself were here today, and he was sitting at the piano, what would the approach be?”

Check it out, and let us know what you think in the comments! 👇

“Beethoven Blues,” by Jon Batiste

Not only do we have the best on-air personalities, but many of them happen to also be incredible musicians! 🤩🔥

Weekend host Will Carman recently played Dazzle with his band Durza, of which he is the drummer. He was joined by bandmates and longtime friends Nick Moulds (guitar) and Evan Ballinger (keys) and guest musicians Mario Moreno (percussion) and Logan Muckler (bass) to play their recently-released album “Snake In My Boot,” which is described as “instrumental desert psych rock.” 🥁

Midday host Monique Brooks Roberts, an incredible violinist who’s collaborated with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga and Cynthia Erivo, also appeared at Dazzle a few nights later to perform with rising singer-songwriter Chromonicci in support of his album "Days of You." They were joined by Aaron Brooks Roberts (keyboards and piano), James Tré (guitar), Will Gaines (bass), and Braxton Kahn (drums). Co-hosts Will and Mario Rivas, and Program Director Monika Vischer were on hand to catch the show! 🎻

Morning host Kabin Thomas will help the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra kick off its 2026–27 season with their program “Undivided” conducted by CPR Classical contributor Scott O’Neil.

Kabin says, “On October 9th and 10th, I’ll have the great and humbling honor of narrating Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait with the Denver Phil. Copland wrote it in 1942, as America faced a world at war. He placed Lincoln’s own words beside the orchestra, giving us a chance to hear what our ideals ask of us. I can’t thank Maestro Scott enough for this opportunity to narrate this piece and I can’t wait to share it with you.”

The show will also have the world premiere of John Heins’ Garden of the Gods, which celebrates both the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood.

-FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2026 at 7:30PM
Antonia Brico Stage at Central Presbyterian Church
1660 Sherman St, Denver, CO 80203

-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2026 at 3:00PM
Mapleton Arts Center
7480 Broadway, Denver, CO 80221

Get details and tickets at https://denverphilharmonic.org/production/undivided/

PROGRAM
-John Heins: Garden of the Gods — WORLD PREMIERE!
-Aaron Copland: Lincoln Portrait — Kabin Thomas, Narrator
-Valerie Coleman: Umoja
-Joan Tower: Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman
-Leonard Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

THANK YOU for making our Fall Fund Drive a resounding success! 🙏❤️ We heard from all over Colorado--and beyond--about how classical music enriches your life and CPR Classical brightens your day 😊 We certainly could not do it without your support--literally! Colorado Public Radio is now 100% community-funded, and you showed up for us in a big way!

All of us here at CPR Classical, both in front of and behind the mic, are incredibly grateful. We look forward to keep bringing you the greatest music on the planet 23/7, 365 days a year 🎶😍

Show off your love for by rocking our new retro-inspired 😍🧦

Snag them when you donate $15/month during our Fall Fund Drive. Or get all 6 designs—one for each of our services—for $40/month! 👍

Visit CPRClassical.org and hit the donate button ☑️

Thank you to all who went this past weekend to see the Mozart Reimagined: From Darkness to Light season openers of the St Martin's Chamber Choir St Martin's Chamber Choir performing with the Stratus Chamber Orchestra this past weekend. Our own morning host, Kabin Thomas, led the pre-show talks with conductors Timothy Krueger and David Rutherford--who is also a former CPR Classical senior host! Kabin, says, It was great to learn about the pieces and personalities of the composers, as well as the humility of the conductors as they realized the genius of the composers--and the audience !"

Keep an eye out for more chances to catch our hosts out in public!

Pic 1, From L to R:
Grant Johnson, Executive Director for St. Martin's Chamber Choir; Timothy Krueger Artistic Director for and founder of St. Martin's Chamber Choir; David Rutherford, Former CPR Senior Host and Music Director for Stratus Chamber Orchestra; Sara Mansch-Hare, Executive Director for Augustana Arts; CPR Classical morning host Kabin Thomas

Pic 2, from L to R (front)
Mackenzie Laun, Soprano I; Cody Laun, Tenor; Amanda Lauricella, Soprano II

Augustana Arts