90.9’s Program Director, Dr. Dave Wagner, is a lifelong Detroiter and a well-known organist, pianist and music educator. He brings his vast musical knowledge and wry sense of humor to our morning airwaves. Wake up with his famous 7:15am “Sousalarm.”
Every day, 90.9 broadcasts classical music and jazz through well-curated playlists and programs.
90.9’s Program Director, Dr. Dave Wagner, is a lifelong Detroiter and a well-known organist, pianist and music educator. He brings his vast musical knowledge and wry sense of humor to our morning airwaves. Wake up with his famous 7:15am “Sousalarm.”
Loved the Band Suite!! Back in the 60’s we played that in the All City High School Honors Band with Harold Arnoldi. I was humming every part of that piece – and as a clarinetist I remembered ALL the parts I played…. New World Symphony, Overture to War of 1812, Water Music- and soooo many more. Thanks for this station and proud to be a Sustaining Member!!! i’m a big fan of yours Dave.
Thank you so much Adele for being a sustaining member! Glad you enjoyed the Band Suite today. Many of us have fond band memories!
Good morning, Carl. Listening to you in Detroit from our home in North Carolina mountains (& drinking coffee out of my WFMT mug). Good to hear you.
Thanks for listening in from North Carolina! No WRCJ mug?
Loved the Sousalarm!
Thanks! We thought it was appropriate for today.
Hey Dave,
Just a small comment. Humphrey Bogart never actually said the words “Play it again, Sam” in Casablanca. That is an inaccuracy that has been perpetuated over the years. Another line he is famous for he did really say, “Here’s looking at you kid”. He said this during a flashback scene and then again at the end of the film when he bids Ingrid Bergman farewell.
Sorry Jim, that is a common mistake apparently. Now we know. Thanks for listening.
Looking for playlists, please!
Hi Scott, we had an issue with our music database which delayed the playlists showing up. You should start to see them shortly.
Your ‘now playing’ stream is stuck on ‘Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’
Hi Geoff, sorry about that, we are in the process of replacing the music database computer in the main studio which may have caused problems with the title display. We are working on it right now.
Hi Dave! Looked up the portrait of Johann Christian Bach by Gainsborough you mentioned this morning.
https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw07058/Johann-Christian-Bach
You definitely nailed the Deniro comparison and the “you talkin’ to ME?” look that’s present! But I disagree a little bit; I think he does have the barest hint of a smile 🙂 Thanks for the culture share this morning!
Dave was practicing his De Niro impression all day!
Wonderful selections. Took a day off to enjoy music and peace, with excellent results. Question: was it typical that composers could play their works? Thinking of challenging piano works in particular.
Hi James, thank you. Yes there are some compositions that even their composers could not perform. Or pieces that were considered unplayable by anyone (until someone did).
on 3/14/24 at about 5:00Am you played Shostakovich two pieces one was i think a quintet. Can you give me the name of these title works. Cannot figure out you playlist. This time f day is not listed. Terry
Hi Terry, here is the playlist for the 5am hour:
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Jazz Suite No. 2, Op. 50b
“Lyric Waltz”
Royal Concertgebouw/Chailly
The Jazz Album
Lon 433702
2:33
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Quartet for Strings No. 8 in C minor, Op. 8
Emerson String Quartet
String Quartets
DG 463284
19:43
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Symphony No.13 in B-flat Major, Op. 113 “Babi Yar”
I. “Babi Yar”
New York Philharmonic/Masur
Babi Yar
Teldec 90848
0:46
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Symphony No.13 in B-flat Major, Op. 113, “Babi Yar”
I. “Babi Yar”
New York Philharmonic/Masur
Babi Yar
Teldec 90848
15:17
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Symphony No.13 in B-flat Major, Op. 113, “Babi Yar”
VI.
New York Philharmonic/Masur
Babi Yar
Teldec 90848
12:17
not hearing any music via web browsers?
Hi Phil, sorry about that. We hope to have it back up for you shortly.
Good morning – you played a sweet version of Love is All Around on May 24th around 830am. The playlist isn’t updated and I’m not having any luck finding a reference to the CD it’s on. Would you please post that info? Thank you!!! Also the Sousalarm this morning was my mom’s favorite and always brings me a smile to think of her marching around to The Stars and Stripes Forever! 🥰
Hello Nancy, that was the theme from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” AKA “Love is All Around” (in the style of Erik Satie, arranged by Donald Fraser) written by Sonny Curtis and performed by JoAnn Turovsky on harp and Ramiro Belgardt on cello. It’s from an album called “Mozart TV–Favorite TV Tunes in the Style of Great Classical Composers” on the Delos label, spine number 3222.
Do you have a playlist for June 10 morning show? Bach tune with Empire Brass around 7:20am was fabulous and would love to know what it is please.
Hi Amy, about that time we played the Chorale “Wachet auf, ruft uns die stimme…” from Cantata No. 140 (arranged for brass and organ) by J.S. Bach performed by the Empire Brass with Douglas Major on organ. It was from an EMI disc, spine number 31544.
Three cheers for the Sousa Alarm! 🙂
I just discovered you! My Mom was an awesome pianist and played like the Waltz in A, Opus 32! It brought back sweet wonderful memories growing up, listening to her and dancing along as a young child. I will be listening again to your show; THANK YOU! p.s. Is there a way to replay your shows?
Hello Lynda, welcome! It’s so nice we could help bring back those wonderful memories. More great music on the way! If you listen on the app you can rewind about 5 minutes but unfortunately you can’t replay shows. Copyright issues with archiving music on the web and such.
What is playing 8,30 ish? Theme from something familiar.
Hello Cathy, around that time we played a suite from “Dances with Wolves”. Was it that one? It was performed by the Sinfonia Toronto.
Mr. Music! Is he still in the nervous hospital?
We regret to inform you he has escaped. Watch out!
Wondering what song you played just before 8 am..?
Please list all songs played between 7:50-8 am
Thank you!
Hi Ashley, here are the songs from around that time:
7:40am Concertino (for trumpet, strings and continuo) Haydn, Johann Michael
Capella Istropolitana
Sauter, Otto, trumpet
7:49am “Manfred” (Dramatic Symphony after Byron) in b, Op. 58 (2nd movement: Vivace con spirito) Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich
London Symphony Orchestra
Overture to “Orpheus in the Underworld”
Offenbach, Jacques
Boston Pops Orchestra
8:10am Hamlet: The Ghost of Hamlet’s Father (arr. 2 pianos)
Prokofiev, Sergei
Argerich, Martha, piano
Wanted to know the song playing around 6:15 am November 1 2024. I heard Dave say Antony Devosak (spelled wrong?) he said opus 94 but I don’t think I found it. It was with the violin. Can you all help??
Hi, that was the Rondo for Cello and Orchestra in g, Op. 94 by Antonin Dvorak performed by the Staatskapelle Dresden with Peter Bruns on cello.
hey Dave. Good morning.
Just wanted to drop a line after many years of listening to say thanks. I LOVE waking up to your ‘Dad’ humor.
Right now i’m up north in Kaleva, MI sitting in a trailer working remote before i start my hunting weekend and it is SO good to hear you way up here in the woods.
You Da Man!
A Sincear Thank You!
Hi Ronald, thanks for tuning in from the woods of Kaleva! The wonders of modern technology. We hope you enjoy your weekend.
I am looking for the name of a composer that was featured around 9:45 am or so- American composer born in the 1970s. It was mentioned after a piece was played but I was driving!
Hello Jessica, below are all the pieces we played around that time. It sounds like you are describing Kevin Kaska. It was his birthday!
Fri 12/13/2024 9:14am Piano Trio in G Debussy, Claude Ensemble Vivant (members) Wilson, Catherine, piano
Fri 12/13/2024 9:40am Romanza (for piano and strings) Kaska, Kevin Royal Scottish National Orchestra Lang, Mike, piano
Fri 12/13/2024 9:47am Violin Concerto No. 3 in b, Op. 61 (finale) Saint-Saens, Camille Orchestra of Paris Perlman, Itzhak, violin
Fri 12/13/2024 10:01am Piano Concerto No.14 in E Flat, K 449 Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Barenboim, Daniel, piano
Hi! Could I please have the playlist for this morning January 21, 2025. I really want to know what the song was that played before the Star Wars one! Thanks!! My classroom of toddlers listens every morning!
Hi Elisabeth, thank you for sharing our music with your classroom! You should take a picture and share it to our Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/909WRCJ
Anyway, here are the pieces from around that time:
Tue 01/21/2025 9:01am Harpsichord Concerto in E, BWV 1053 Bach, Johann Sebastian Cologne Chamber Orchestra Noll, Christoph Anselm, harpsichord
9:19am Suite in G (“La Bizarre”)–for strings and continuo TWV55:G2 Telemann, Georg Philipp Ensemble Fratres
9:39am “Turandot”: Fantasia for Salon Orchestra Puccini, Giacomo I Salonisti
9:51am “Star Wars” (Throne Room & Finale) Williams, John Skywalker Symphony Orchestra
The music you’re playing this morning is awe inspiring. Can you please tell me the name of the composer of the piece before the piece from The King’s Speech? That might be the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.
Hi Julie, thanks! Here are the pieces around that time:
Wed 01/22/2025 8:23am Violin Concerto No.1 In a BWV1041: II. Andante Bach, J. S. Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields Bell, Joshua, violin
8:31am Symphony No. 5 in e, Op. 64 (3rd movement) Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich Detroit Symphony Orchestra
8:39am Let My Love Be Heard Runestad, Jake VOCES8
8:44am The King’s Speech: Suite Desplat, Alexandre London Symphony Orchestra Arch, David, piano
Playlist is not available. Im looking for a song that was played around 5:45 AM on the 7th. It was called Peasant suite I think. composer unknown.
Hi George, yes that was the Peasant Suite (“Suite paysanne”) composed by Hannes Meyer performed by the Sonare Quartet of Frankfurt with Ichiro Noda, on double bass and Hannes Meyer himself on organ. Also, you can find our weekday classical playlists here: https://www.wrcjfm.org/features/this-weeks-classical-playlists/
I enjoyed listening to music on your station this morning between 815 and 8:30 AM Dave Wagner had some really good classical music on. Can you tell me what was on his playlist during that timeframe today as it is not showing the current playlist for today on your website. this would be much appreciated.
Hello Ari, below are the pieces from around that time. Also you can find our weekday classical playlists here:
https://www.wrcjfm.org/features/this-weeks-classical-playlists/
8:10am Theme & Variations on a Theme from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute”, Op 9 Sor, Fernando Romero, Angel, guitar
8:18am Sonata for Piano and Cello–1st movement: “Allegro. Tempo di marcia” Poulenc, Francis Gastinel, Anne, cello
8:25am Trio Sonata No. 4 in G Gallo, Domenico Parnassi musici
8:32am “Jubilee”, from “Symphonic Sketches” Chadwick, George Whitefield Detroit Symphony Orchestra
8:42am “The Dream of Olwen” from “While I Live” Williams, Charles Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Adni, Daniel, piano
Shiver me timbers Mr. Wagner this brisk & chilly Washington’s Birthday & National Cabbage day morning of Monday February 17, 2025 I think calls for some sauerkraut & polish sausage thank you for the 07:15 Sous alarm as always and I always welcome your wit 😊 and enjoy your classical style I have been up on board with you at 5:00am but a few times the early bird 🐦 gets the worm or Mr. Dave Wagner should I say!
“As always once again Dave if I may address you by your first name sir nice way too top off today’s classical music session and yes I will B.Y.O.B/ MY OWN Brahms in tow on this President’s Day 2025 Thanks once again until we meet again”! 😀
I’m so glad I was listening this morning to hear Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell and covered so well by Chanticleer. Very nice, thanks!
I made a 05:00 departure aboard the SS DAVE WAGNER 😀 this morning on a 5 hour artic cruise with classical music piped throughout the entire ship 🚢 the Sous alarm ⏰️ just sounded off right on schedule 07:15!
Thanks Mr. Wagner for 20 years at the old radio ranch a pathfinder if I might say sir!
Good Wednesday morning to you Davis nice to here from you on the airwaves while Mr. Wagner takes some time off. I will look forward to listening in on Thursday & Friday as well thank you.
Thanks for that rousing Sous alarm Dave ⏰️ and now I will dial M for murder yikes!
“Good 313 D – Day to you Davis with that roaring Sous alarm & Bernadette plus the Berlin philharmonic that makes a trifecta my good sir to awaken ones self I should say indeed” 😀 👍 🎶
Live long and perspire?
Hahaha happy birthday, Leonard RIP
Good morning Mr. Wagner I have an admission to make I have been snoozing way beyond the Sous alarm ⏰️ 🎶 Tuesday missing your show in its entirety I’m afraid and today Wednesday a 09:00 wake up time!
Oh well, it’s ok to hit snooze sometimes.
Signed, Rip Van Winkle!
Alas a little bit to much Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time Tea before bedtime 🌙 😴 Mr. Wagner!
Good morning gents Dave & Peter enjoying your camaraderie and after a hearty breakfast is it to early for the Wine 🍷 Time Elixir? Well I had to indulge just the same. Today’s selection goes quite well with the unpredictable weather forecast and it is Penroes Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, California 15.2% 2018 by the way I’m working for/towards the weekend 😀 and looking forward to your April 12, 2025 premier of your new show together indeed Pip Pip & Cheerio good day chaps!
Safe sailing on your maiden voyage and no icebergs please captain Dave & First mate Peter April 12, 2025 White Star Line Titanic ⚓️
I have a request to make to the Captain & First class Seaman how about some Titanic themed orchestral arrangements that would of been played on that fateful day of April 12 being it is your Maiden voyage and all how bout it my very good chaps carryon now make way full steam ahead! 🚢