Classical Music Happy Hour: Classical Music Happy Hour | WNYC Studios | Podcasts NYPR Network Our Podcasts Support Us Press Our Podcasts Support Us Classical Music Happy Hour With Emanuel Ax Join renowned pianist Emanuel Ax for Classical Music Happy Hour: a new podcast full of music, merriment, and conversation. Our Podcasts Support Us Classical Music Happy Hour David Hyde Pierce - a.k.a. Niles Crane Apr 22, 2026 Actor David Hyde Pierce has had a long career in film, television and the theater.  He’s best known to listeners for his portrayal of Niles Crane on the sitcom "Frasier."  He joins Ma... Jeanine Tesori - from “Fun Home” to the Met Opera Apr 15, 2026 Composer Jeanine Tesori is a two time Tony Award winner, a two time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and in 2024, she became the first woman composer to open the Metropolitan Opera Ope... Yo-Yo Ma - 53 years of friendship and duets Apr 8, 2026 Live from Tanglewood, cellist Yo-Yo Ma chats with Manny about their long musical relationship and friendship.  The two treat the live audience to a few musical performances, and they ... John McWhorter - Lover of Language Apr 1, 2026 Columbia University Professor of Linguistics John McWhorter, chats with Manny about swear words, Broadway, and tackles the conundrums of musical etymology.  McWhorter also makes the c... John Adams - not the President Mar 25, 2026 Renowned American composer John Adams joins Manny to discuss his approach to opera composition, the stories behind his intriguingly titled works, and the time he was once mistaken for... Gabriela Ortiz - Composer and Grammy Gal Mar 18, 2026 Composer Gabriela Ortiz joins Manny to talk about her grandfather’s surprising connection to Mahler, her own compositional process, and her enduring love for works by Debussy and Stra... Marc-André Hamelin - Rocks Rachmaninoff Mar 11, 2026 Composer and pianist Marc-André Hamelin joins Manny to talk about growing up with a musical father, the mechanics of piano playing, and the influences behind his prolific performing a... Yuja Wang - Superstar Pianist Plays Too Many Encores Mar 4, 2026 Superstar pianist Yuja Wang joins Manny Ax to talk about bad pianos, encores, what influences her musical interpretations, and her love for Prokofiev. In our Newly Dead game, Yuja put... Introducing Classical Music Happy Hour with Manny Ax Feb 25, 2026 Join renowned pianist Emanuel Ax for Classical Music Happy Hour: a new podcast full of music, merriment, and conversation. Manny (Emanuel) talks with special guests about their lives,... Pagination Next