A New Series Exploring the Cultural Connections That Make Music

Daniel Hautzinger

September 18, 2019

Scott Yoo in Seville, Spain, in Now Hear This

The violinist and conductor Scott Yoo explores the broader aspects of culture into which classical music fits in the new series 'Now Hear This.'

Now Hear This airs Fridays at 9:00 pm. Each episode will be available to stream following its airing.

You're used to watching Great Performances for the performances. But a new series features not just great performances of classical music (and some folk musics too!), but also architecture, food, dance, landscape, and other aspects of a broader culture into which the music fits. Now Hear This follows violinist and conductor Scott Yoo as he explores the work of Vivaldi, J.S. Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, and Handel, traveling to Italy, Spain, Germany, Morocco, and France to discover the stories behind the music.

Our sister station WFMT spoke with Yoo and Harry Lynch, the producer, writer, and director of Now Hear This, to get a sense of the scope of the series. Plus, watch previews of each episode below.

Vivalid: Something Completely Different airs and is available to stream Friday, September 20:

The Riddle of Bach airs and is available to stream Friday, September 27:

Scarlatti: Man Out of Time airs and is available to stream Friday, October 4:

Handel: Italian Style airs and is available to stream Friday, October 11:

Great Performances