KPR listeners to vote for top-60 classical music selections

LAWRENCE – Which do you prefer: Beethoven’s "Fifth Symphony" or Mozart’s "Jupiter" symphony? How about Gershwin’s "Rhapsody in Blue" or Bach’s "Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring"?

Now Kansas Public Radio listeners have their say about their favorite classical music by voting in KPR’s Classical Top 60. Listeners can choose their five favorite selections from among the 100 all-time greatest pieces of classical music.

The ballot is at KPR’s website. Listeners can choose up to five compositions. The voting is open until April 8. After that, votes will be tabulated and the top 60 selections will be played – from 60 through No. 1 – beginning April 19.

Classical music director Mark Edwards said KPR listeners will have a hard time narrowing down their choices.

“I know there are lots of listeners like me who will ask, ‘How can you possibly choose between Beethoven’s Ninth and Dvorak’s "New World Symphony"?  They’re both stunning pieces of music,'" Edwards said. “These may be tough choices to make, but we’re looking forward to the end result: a tailor-made list of the favorite classical pieces of Kansas Public Radio listeners.”

On the Classical Top 60 voting site, listeners will find photos or paintings of the composers; can listen to excerpts from the selections; see videos of the pieces being performed or being used in movies or TV shows; and learn about the composers and their music.

So stop Haydn. You can Handel voting for your favorite classical music, and check Bach for the results.

Kansas Public Radio is celebrating its 60th year of broadcasting with a variety of events. See more information here.

KPR, a 14-time Kansas Association of Broadcasters Station of the Year, licensed to the University of Kansas, broadcasts on 91.5 FM in Lawrence, 89.7 FM in Emporia, 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City, 89.9 FM in Atchison, 90.3 FM in Chanute, and 99.5 FM and 97.9 FM in Manhattan. KPR can be heard online at its website. KPR also operates KPR2, a news-talk programming stream, which can be heard on an HD receiver or on KPR’s website.