MUSICAL PASSIONS with Eric Kisch
 Each Saturday at 10:00 AM, many WCLV listeners
attend to what Eric Kisch has to offer on his
one-hour program Musical Passions.
Eric describes his program as follows:
"Musical Passions was conceived as a way to express
my personal passions about music to a larger audience.
It presents the finest performances by the greatest artists
of this and the previous century and features music for
solo instrument, chamber ensemble, full orchestra,
vocal and opera. Drawing on the resources of my own
and the station’s recording collections, I want to focus
not only on today’s stars but on the musical greats of yesterday who have so much
musical pleasure to give us. I want to spark listeners into active listening and
to being as enthusiastic about classical music as I am. Western civilization has
nothing greater to offer us – though I concede that the other arts and sciences,
performing and otherwise, also have much to boast about! But, following William
Congreve, only “"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks,
or bend a knotted oak.'"
It all started when WCLV's President Robert Conrad heard a new voice on the
commercials for the Cleveland Chamber Music Society. Conrad thought that this
voice was just right for WCLV and eventually the owner of that voice, Eric Kisch,
created Musical Passions for 104.9.
On the air since January 2004, Musical Passions is the culmination of Eric's
dream to share his collection of recordings with a wider audience. The program
regularly spotlights musicians and other committed music lovers from all walks
of life, allowing listeners to sample their musical tastes.
A retired market researcher and consultant by profession, Eric has had a life
long passion for music, avidly attending recitals, orchestra concerts and the opera.
And collecting recordings, which take up far more domestic space than his wife and
family feels appropriate. While living in New York, Eric wrote articles and reviews for
such publications as FM Guide and Record World as well as program notes for
Lincoln Center concerts by Musica Sacra. In Cleveland, he was involved with the
Ohio Chamber Orchestra and is currently on the board of the Cleveland Chamber
Music Society. He has written program notes for such ensembles as the Saginaw
Symphony as well as occasional articles for Internet magazine New York Stringer.
He gives talks about music, musicians, and the insanity of collecting recordings.
Most recently, he presented a mini course on “The World of Jewish Music” at
Siegal College.
Eric does not play a musical instrument but claims to have a steady hand with
the tone arm of his record player. He is constantly cautioned by family and friends
not to sing. His unique accent is a combination of growing up in Australia and
residency in New York City. His listeners claim not to be intimidated.
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