Morning Pro Musica - birds and music intro
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- čas přidán 5. 11. 2012
- Robert J. Lurtsema's beautiful intro to his Morning Pro Musica radio show. I think it's the perfect audio clip for an alarm, and it brings back so many wonderful memories.
There's no original recording of it anywhere, so here's my recreation.
I took the first track from the "Dawn Chorus: The Birds of Morning Pro Musica" LP and crossfaded after 5 minutes into Handel's "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba".
If you'd like this as an mp3, you can download it from my blog at:
becunningandfulloftricks.com/2... - Hudba
After almost a year of living in isolation, and wondering whether I would ever again not feel like utter crap when I wake up in the morning, I thought of queuing up some music after the waves I play when I’m sleeping. And then I thought of all those mornings, 40 years ago (that’s when I left the East Coast), when I woke up happy and hopeful. And I search for Robert J, and found this. Thank you so much.
I am sorry he wasn’t a good person to work with. But he helped so many of us, so much, for so long, that we really loved him. We even trusted him to give us the news in a way that didn’t ruin our day. And there may have been millions of us.
Hi Lisa. I'm so happy you found this recording and that it helped you. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Lisa Orlando To say he wasn´t a good person to work with is the understatement of the century. Lurtsema was an asshole on an ego trip. He certainly wasn´t the person you heard on the air.
For 17 years I woke up to these birds and Robert J. What a trip this is to hear it again after so many years. One time Robert was late and the birds went on for 15 minutes.
Lois Bull What went on "behind the scenes" of these soothing opening bird songs and beautiful music selections was crazy, funny, hysteria, and everything inbetween: I worked for RJL for 15 years and kept a diary of some of the funniest, most wild mornings, hoping to put them all into a book one day. This really brings back memories!
lauramartha3 If you put your diaries into a book let me know. I will buy it. After all those years of listening, the only bird I still recognize is the woodpecker.
Lois: writing such a book is on my "bucket list", and I will certainly let everyone know if I complete it. Working there was certainly an adventure and a learning experience.
Woke up to Robert J so many mornings when growing up.
I grew up in Connecticut listening to Morning Pro Musica on Public Radio, all through my teens and twenties. Happy memories 🥰
Many years ago I drove a colleague to an early morning professional meeting across the state of Maine and, of course, I had Robert J. on the radio as I did every morning. When the intro music stopped, and Robert J. broke into his ultra-slow bass morning growl, my travelling companion turned to me and said "Oh my God! What's wrong with this guy?" I laughed out loud and still laugh about it now, decades later. His unique delivery was a shock to my friend but for me it was a cherished tradition that I miss so much. I have an hour or so of Robert's musings that I transferred from cassette tape to cd. I still play that cd on rides today to calm and nourish my soul.
I heard him start his programme one morning (in about 1980) with something like: "Now the news. Well, there isn't a lot of news this morning so here's some Mozart."
My children, who are now adults with children of their own, would start their day with Robert J Lertsima. Imagine three little people in jammies being welcomed and welcoming a new day.
I Love him for lifting me and my children everyday ❤
Like many New Englanders, Robert J. Lertsema's show was a part of my mornings for 30 years. He is and will always be missed. It gives me joy to know that his radio transmissions still exist somewhere, traveling through space as a whisper of humanity's finest creations.
Thank you for the beautiful reply. :) Whispers in space.
@allysoncheynes1216 Everyone writes about how good Lurtsema was at his job. But you didn't work at WGBH. I did. I was unfortunate enough to cross paths with him in the studio multiple times. Lurtsema, who died in 2000, was an egomaniac. He was very impressed with himself and he wanted everybody to know it. I was a producer at WGBH and as part of my job I had to into the air studio many times for various reasons. Lurtsema couldnt tolerate anybody in the room with him when he was on the air. He screamed at me, "Get out!" and then threw a 10 inch metal tape reel at me which cut the back of my neck and there was blood all over the place. I went up to John Beck, our station manager to get him fired for doing this and it nearly happened but John told me that the heavens would fall on him if he did that (from the listeners) and so a-hole R.J went on for another ten years. He died of a breathing disorder. I went to the funeral to make sure!!!
I loved the morning birds all the way back to high school in the late 70s. I got to work with Rob't J. on some recorded fundraising spots he was to produce but that never aired. I remember him demonstrating the kind of comedy he wanted and going to the music library with him to pick out some Nichols and May pieces he loved. (He had a great sense of humor.) On another occasion, I did live fundraising where we were in different studios, and it was a tremendous honor to be talking with him on air, even if it was just pledge spots. I never saw the difficult side of him; he was quite nice actually. And I remember him ducking in for food when we had volunteers in to answer phones. Finally, someone once told me that he was eccentric and sunbathed on the roof of 'GBH studios in the nude. Now that is probably apocryphal but tells you something about the mystery and lore of the man. I am so very proud to tell donors to this day that I met him and he was a man of grace, sly wit and style. And I loved the wonderful pregnant pauses...
BP
Miss that show so much-- it seemed like such an institution, like it would never go away. Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?
For years I carried Robert J.'s photo from his obit. in my wallet. I was very sad when he passed and it was my way of keeping the vibe going. My grandmother turned me onto him in the 70s and I loved his show. One of the all time best radio programs, for me. Thank you!! PS: I was thrilled to learn he graduated from BU !!
The sounds of dad starting the wood stove prior to (7am ?) Robert J coming on..then the birds then the fading in of the music... idyllic mornings for so many years 🙏🙏
richard levangie I worked 14 years at WGBH. Take it from me, he wasn´t the person you heard on the air. He was unbearable
'The day the music died' Thank you for giving us a piece of that. I almost expected him to come in at the right moment...
Wonderful every morning treasure during my years in Massachusetts. That was a long time ago and this is a great memory. Thank you for the recreation.
You're welcome Jim! I'm happy you enjoyed this.
How beautiful this selection is! Living in Massachusetts, I listened to WGBH.. Robert J was my wake up call every weekday for years, maybe a decade. Now I walk every morning to this joyous birdsong and music. Thank you for posting morning pro- musica here for all to enjoy!
My parents listened to this every morning when I was little.
Thank you, I grew up listening to this every morning...
Love this esp on cold winter days
I'm glad you enjoy it! :)
I have a framed poster dated 1984 which says "Morning Pro Musica with host Robert J. Lurtsema on WGBH 89.7 fm" and has that same image as above with the sunrise and the duck. I either bought it at a fundraiser or got it for pledging money, but I think it was the former. It's still hanging in my dining room!
What a lovely treat to find this, thank you. I woke to this for years, it's a joy to hear it again.
Tom Magliozzi died yesterday, 3 November 2014, which got me to thinking of my celebrity friends whom I have only known through radio and never thanked, like Jean Sheppard and Robert J. That's how I stumbled on this recording. I came, I listened, I remembered and thought, "it's too late now." But at least I can thank you, John Lester. Thanks, Mike
Funny, that's how I got here too, by thinking of listening to Tom and Ray in Cambridge in 1978, then moving to thoughts of Robert J.
You're welcome, Mike! :)
I listened to this show for many years when I lived in Cambridge I am glad to see someone put this up here. And I often enjoyed the Saturday guests, including Peter Schickele and his latest PDQ Bach discoveries.
Bless you....I am right back....I was a young surgical nurse and would often be setting up my first case of the day all by myself...this gave me perspective of the right kind all day...
What an impression this wonderful man made on me and this just brings it all right back to me!!!!
every day I started my day with this at home or at work....I just expect to hear that wonderful voice...Thank you so much!!
I love the audio playing bird songs by Robert J. Lurtsema's radio show. Thank you.
You're welcome! :)
Thank you for posting this. Avid listener to RJL when I lived in New England. Wonderful memories. Sorry that 1 person here didn't like Lurtsema, (and posted about it for 7+ yrs--sad) but that doesn't change my opinion of the man, his musical taste or on-air work one bit. Thanks again!
I also remembered, unless I am totally mistaken, Robert J.'s using the opening of Bach's Concerto in C Minor for 2 Harpsichords, the second movement. Yes, fond memories. After I moved away from Boston in 1985 to Washington, DC, the intro to Morning Pro Musica was one of those very Boston and very WGBH things I missed the most.
I woke to this every morning in Montreal. It was an absolute delight as was Robert J. Thanks for the memories
You're welcome, Steven. :)
Thank you! Thank you! I used to listen to morning pro musica every day many years ago when I lived in Rhode Island. I loved the birds, the music, and Robert J. Lurtsema. What a golden time!
Loved waking up to this every morning.
I listened to Robert J while living at Moonstone Beach in RI during graduate school. Fond Memories....
I loved Lurtsema's readings of The Man Who Planted Trees, A Soldier's Tale and A Christmas Carol all showing his great talent as an actor. And who can forget his voice in the Mystery series on PBS for many years. Corporations have been the ruin of America from Radio to Healthcare to Education. The increasingly high cost of living and homelessness are the direct result of the corporate need for ever increasing profits.
Yes, this is the decline of quality of life. Robert J nourished us in every way. thank you
Thank you for doing this. I start every morning with my diffuser, frankincense, another tree oil and MPM.
A kind& gentle morning ritual it was.
I was fondly remembering this, this morning and sharing my happy memories of how Robert J. was my Moms favorite voice in the morning. This was so wonderful to find!It has been many years since those mornings waking up in the woods of Maine to my Mom adding wood to the wood stove and cooking oats for my sister and I, gently saying good morning with Morning pro musica on the radio. What a treasure to find this so thank you so much. That was 1982 or so, we were teenagers!signed Dammerung
Wood on the stove and a little honey and wheat germ on the bear mush or cream of wheat w/ Lurtsema's birds in the background. The end of the pre-digital hippie gold years.
I have been looking for Robert J Lurtsema's bird song intro to his radio show that I used to listen to upon waking during the years I lived in Boston leaving in 1986. I am so happy to have found this mp3 and to hear it again after more than 30 years!
Thank you from my heart. I listened to Robert J. every morning. I’ve searched for years to find this . Oh thank you so much !
You're welcome, Susan. I'm happy you found it and enjoyed it!
This is uplifting!
Mom used to listen to this in the summer from the greater Millinocket area.
I, too, had my radio alarm set to WGBH every morning for many, many years. Will be forever grateful to Robert J for the birds of Morning Pro Musica... and smooch more!
Years ago I met Robert J. at a Fundraiser for the BSO......I had bought a T-shirt and much to my surprise he was at the Table where You would pick out your T... As I chatted with him I said You don't talk as slow in Person...He laughed and said 'Radio makes your voice seem slower'
I grew up listening to Maine Public Radio which had Morning Pro Musica. I arose every morning to the birds and RJL-such a gentle coaxing awake-forever thankful!
Used to listen on Long Island via WSHU in Connecticut, until they replaced him with Morning Edition..He was sorely missed.
What beautiful memories...brings back the smells of our old house (good ones)...the sounds of my parents talking...and then the slooooooooow measured words through the magnificent voice that could only be that of Robert J.
Thank you! I grew up with this. I am an avid birdwatcher now and love that I can pick out most of the calls! I like to blame MPM for my love of birding. And the Handel has a big place in my heart!
When I was a kid, my family and I used to joke that the sound of the woodchuck was actually Robert J. banging on the bathroom door after locking himself in.
It should be illegal to skip through this video
I used to love listening to that show. Thank you for posting this
Miss him dearly
Thanks so much for posting this. Awoke to it every morning. Now I can again!
One day off this week…starting my day this way….is in describable
I remember him cutting short the weather report ofr news stating something like" Not much has changed since yesterday, so on with the music" skipping the report...too funny
Thank you so much for going this.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Old Mr Sleepy Head! I miss you!
I have a customer, Frank Cunningham that recorder those bird sounds for the show.
Every morning. He played all of Schnabel's Beethoven Sonatas following the birds for a whole month... Nothing ever like that.
The original post allowed downloading. So sad we cannot do that now. So contrary to his vision.
Saw Robert J emcee one of the last Fox Hollow folk festivals , leading a chant to stop the rain... Ego? Yes. But funny. And the rain did stop. Also enjoyed his on-air eccentricity, especially his radio interviews with classical and non-classical musicians, Jean Redpath, the Klezmer Conservatory Orchestra, Celtic band How to Change a Flat Tire (Wesleyan ethnomusicology grad students, mostly). Learned later he had deeper "folk revival" roots than classical training, which he gradually acquired. Sorry to hear he was a jerk to work with. Today he could be a self-produced podcaster and not throw things.
Absolutely Fabulous. Like others, this brings me back. Thanks so much for posting it. What was the program after? Lots of old, jive music. I learned so much. I remember having to stop driving and pull over when I heard Sing Sing Sing for the first time ever.
Amen! One of the top 25 pieces of ALL TIME!
You're welcome, Dee. :)
I have searched for days trying to identify the concerto used in this opening to “Morning Pro Musica” But in vain. It is complex enough to be Mozart and sufficiently exuberant to be a piece by Handel. Can anyone identify the piece, composer and title, for me?
Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba. I heard this in an informal performance around a year ago and my ears perked up, as I knew it was the piece that had played with the birds. So I asked the musicians what it was.
I've been trying to track down all 7 days opening music and the recordings Robert J used (I'm not sure I ever got up early enough for Saturday or Sundays!) Did he always use the same recordings? I think Telemann's Fantasia In A Minor, TWV 40/11 was one of them. Also, does anyone know which recording of K.297b he closed the show with? I was briefly a classical DJ in the late 70s. I modeled my show after his, without the long pauses...
didn't he use Percy Grainger's Handel in the Strand? or was that some other program? I loved listening to Robert J in college...
Grey Catbird and a Mourning Dove, according to the Merlin App
5:15 Music starts :D
:( I've been trying to get this mp3 from your link but it won't download. any hints? I've been longing for this for 40 years.
If you're having trouble getting it from my blog, you can send me an email at john.e.lester@gmail.com and I'll email it to you if you wish.
Henrietta Yelle Atube catcher
Is there a way to put this audio clip onto my iphone?
You can find an mp3 of it here: becunningandfulloftricks.com/2012/11/07/the-beautiful-intro-to-wgbhs-morning-pro-musica-classical-music-radio-show/
The fucking birds
Karen Anne Zee and Eric Riedel
The most important thing I can remember about Lurtsema is that he threw a metal tape reel at me in the studio one day. Linda Wege, my boss at WGBH told me that everyone at WGBH hated this man. He certainly wasnt the person you heard on the air.
Gary Williams Looking at him he would appear to be quite the moody egotist. At least his radio voice was pleasant.
There are two sides to every story
oh yes, Lurtsema's program was a one-off. Unfortunately the man himself was not such a nice person. I worked at WGBH and unfortunately had to work with this ego centric maniac. He threw a tape real ate me once. This guy was a piece of work