Schedule
HostsWays to Give
HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsEventsOn DemandOur StoryOur TeamWays to Give Become a Sponsor
How to ListenVisit Help CenterContact Us

Find Us on Social Media:

Logo image

Find Us on Social Media:

Download Our Mobile App:

google play icon

About

HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsOn DemandOur StoryOur Team

Community

EventsWays to Give Become a SponsorPressDiversity StatementCareersAnnual EEO ReportDigital Accessibility

Help

Visit Help CenterContact UsHow to Listen

©2025 Classical California

Sweepstakes RulesFCC ComplianceLocal Public FilesCPB ComplianceAnnual EEO ReportPrivacy PolicyCode of Integrity

articles / Love at First Listen

KDFC Love at First Listen: SF Symphony Musicians Talk Their First Love

Love at First ListenPop Culture


Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony | Photo by Stefan Cohen

We all have that first classical love, whether it was listening to your parents LPs, or watching Elmer Fudd chase Bugs Bunny, or at the movie theater watching ships waltz through space.

As part of KDFC’s Love at First Listen Week, we asked you to tell us your stories about the experience that sparked your love of classical music, and hundreds of KDFC listeners responded with touching stories that we’ve been sharing every hour this week. We also shared our stories with you, the ones that made us follow a classical career path.

Now, several musicians from the San Francisco Symphony have given us a special look into the music and experiences that began their in-depth journey into classical music.

Watch violinists Melissa Kleinbart and Raushan Akhmedyarova, Principal Percussionist Jacob Nissly, and Principal Trombonist Nick Platoff explain their Love at First Listen.

Love at First ListenPop Culture
Written by:
The Classical Team
The Classical Team
Published on 10.02.2019
Loading...

MORE LIKE THIS

A Balletic Stravinsky Festival at SF Symphony

A Balletic Stravinsky Festival at SF Symphony

The San Francisco Symphony and Michael Tilson Thomas kick off a two-week Stravinsky Festival, featuring his iconic ballets and other works. Concerts are scheduled for the upcoming weekends.

03/06/2020
Nadine Sierra’s First ‘Juliet’ at SF Opera

Nadine Sierra’s First ‘Juliet’ at SF Opera

San Francisco Opera's new season begins with Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet, featuring soprano Nadine Sierra in her role debut. Sierra discusses the challenges of French roles.

10/01/2019
A Very Ambitious ‘Love at First Listen’

A Very Ambitious ‘Love at First Listen’

This article narrates the inspiring journey of pianist Natasha Paremski, from her early fascination with Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto in Moscow to her performance at Davies Symphony Hall.

10/01/2019
Stewart Goodyear’s ‘Love at First Listen’

Stewart Goodyear’s ‘Love at First Listen’

Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear's life was transformed at age 3 or 4 after hearing Beethoven's sonatas. This early exposure inspired his career and lifelong fascination with these works.

10/01/2019
Yo-Yo Ma’s ‘Love at First Listen’

Yo-Yo Ma’s ‘Love at First Listen’

Yo-Yo Ma shares his lifelong love for Schubert's E-flat trio, first discovered at age 12, and how it influenced his music career.

10/01/2019
Love at First Listen Week: Stewart Goodyear Shares His Story

Love at First Listen Week: Stewart Goodyear Shares His Story

Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear's life was transformed at age 3 or 4 upon hearing Beethoven's sonatas. This experience inspired his career and lifelong fascination with these works.

05/11/2018