David Schulman's excellent Musicians in their Own Words series recently expanded to one hour documentaries. In two of his original (shorter) module versions, he features violinist Hilary Hahn in two separate pieces talking about Bach and Mendelssohn.

With "Hilary Hahn: In Her Own Words...on Mendelssohn", David Schulman juxtaposes excerpts from the violinist's performance of the Mendelssohn popular Violin Concerto with her insight into how the genius of the music is easier to explain than it is to play.

Schulman is a master radio and musical craftsman: he knows just how and when to let the music speak for itself. Schulman consistently chooses the right musical moment to amplify the text and knows when to use the music as a warm bed in support of Hahn's text.

Consider using this 1:42 module during the weekday or weekend late morning or afternoon day parts, prior to playing Hilary Hahn's recording of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto (Sony Classical SK 89921). Or, use this module as an enhanced forward promo for the Hahn / Mendelssohn recording being played later in the same day.

With this and an additional Hilary Hahn "Musicians in Their Own Words" module ("On J.S. Bach"), David Schulman creates a near perfect example of music education or music appreciation -- but without the academic shackles and inflections that have made those terms deadly on the radio.