WSMR Launches “Modern Notebook”

Florida’s Classical Music Station WSMR 89.1 & 103.9 will add a new program to its weekly lineup with a special focus on music written by living composers. “Modern Notebook” will launch this Sunday, hosted by WSMR’s Tyler Kline, highlighting music composed from 1945 to today. Kline will explore the endless spectrum of classical music styles, sounds, and techniques that is acknowledged collectively as “contemporary classical music.”

Each week, listeners will experience a variety of music ranging from solo works to modern orchestral masterworks and everything in between. Kline will also spotlight events by local organizations presenting contemporary music in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota communities.

“Modern Notebook” will air Sundays at 8 p.m. on Classical WSMR 89.1 FM and 103.9 FM, and on wsmr.org.

The first few episodes of the show will feature composers such as Jean Sibelius, Toru Takemitsu, and Oliver Knussen.

“There is such exciting and creative work right now in the classical music genre, and we are thrilled to bring the best and most interesting works to our listeners,” said WUSF Public Media General Manager JoAnn Urofsky. “This show will allow us to explore the contemporary orchestral repertoire more deeply, and Tyler is the perfect host for it.”

A classical composer himself, Kline received a Master of Music in Composition from the University of South Florida. His own compositional interests encompass a wide variety of styles and mediums, from acoustic chamber and large ensemble works to electronic and electroacoustic. Kline’s music has been performed across the United States and internationally in Asia, Europe, and South America.

“When most people think of classical music, they think of Beethoven and Mozart,” said Kline. “Beyond that amazing foundation of work, there’s a wonderful and diverse genre that contemporary composers are expanding. I look forward to diving into it with the WSMR community.”