Suzanne Bona
Sunday Baroque Host and Executive Producer, WSHU Music DirectorSuzanne Bona is the host and executive producer of Sunday Baroque, a syndicated weekly radio show of Baroque and early music. She originated the program in 1987 on WSHU Public Radio in her hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut. Sunday Baroque has been distributed nationally since 1998, and is currently heard by more than 400,000 listeners every week on approximately 288 public radio stations and networks across the United States.
Suzanne is also a classically trained flutist who earned her Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Connecticut. She performs frequently as a soloist and chamber musician, and has especially enjoyed collaborating with some of her musically talented public radio colleagues in performances for listeners in Connecticut and New York, coast to coast in the US, and twice in Guam! Suzanne is a member of the Sylvan Trio, with pianist Greg Kostraba (a radio colleague) and cellist Josh Aerie. Their recordings include the 2020 album, MUSIC FOR FLUTE, CELLO AND PIANO BY WOMEN COMPOSERS, featuring music by Clara Schumann, Lili Boulanger, Princess Anna Amalia of Prussia, Judith Lang Zaimont, Mel Bonis, and Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee.
When she is not making radio or playing her flute, Suzanne’s hobbies include reading, running, cooking, baking and traveling. She is also passionate about the cause of literacy, and is on the Board of Directors of Literacy Volunteers on the Green in New Milford, CT.
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Some busy musicians who also made time to write essays or books to communicate their ideas and philosophies about music to other composers and performers. They include a musician whose composition book has been used in the education of generations of musicians, including Mozart and Beethoven. You’ll hear how some musical authors practiced what they preached on Sunday Baroque this Labor Day weekend. -
Harpsichordist Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre was born into a musical family. Her father and her brothers were all church organists, and she was a keyboard prodigy. Violinist Florence Malgoire ALSO grew up in a musical family - her father was an oboist and conductor. She formed her own early music group, you’ll hear them play a sonata by Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre on Sunday Baroque this week. -
Arcangelo Corelli was one of the top violinists of his day – the Italian musician was also an influential innovator and role model. -
English musician Maurice Greene lived from 1696 until 1755, and during his lifetime he was a celebrated organist and composer who was a colleague of George Frideric Handel’s and a teacher to William Boyce. You’ll hear some of Maurice Greene’s instrumental music, as well as compositions by other musicians in his inner circle. -
The natural world is a rich source of inspiration for creative minds … including composers! Georg Philipp Telemann composed a piece nicknamed the CRICKET SYMPHONY that features a cacophony of cricket sounds made by the instruments. -
Johann Sebastian Bach’s 2nd orchestral overture usually features the flute. But a few years ago, after extensive research, some musicians proposed their theory that Bach more likely featured the OBOE in his original version of that composition. -
Bastille Day is a BIG occasion in France – it commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison, contributing to the start of the French Revolution. The dramatic historic event affected musicians, too, since many were employed by the French royalty that was booted out! Celebrate BASTILLE DAY with music by composers who were active in France in the 17th and 18th centuries on Sunday Baroque. -
On this Independence Day holiday weekend, Sunday Baroque is celebrating some of the terrific musical ensembles across the United States. Some highlights include Houston-based Mercury Baroque … Philadelphia’s Tempesta di Mare early music ensemble … and New York’s Orchestra of St. Luke’s. It’s on Sunday Baroque this 4th of July weekend, Sunday starting at 7 am on 91.1, 107.5 and our music stream. -
Khari Joyner is a Renaissance man … AND he’s a man very much of our time. The talented cellist has multiple degrees in music AND math. He loves baroque music AND he’s a champion of contemporary works. He’s also a philanthropist who uses his musical gifts to support several charitable organizations. You can hear him give a gorgeous performance of 17th century cello music on Sunday Baroque this weekend. -
New Zealand-born composer and educator Matthew Suttor’s passion for music began when he was a small child. Throughout his career he has explored many facets of music making, with a particular interest in computer music and, now, the use of AI in music and as a creative catalyst.
