Robert J. Lurtsema (November 14, 1931–June 12, 2000) was a public radio broadcaster.
Lurtsema hosted the classical music show Morning pro musica on WGBH in Boston, Massachusetts, from 1971 until his death from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was known among public radio listeners throughout New England for his sonorous voice and his phrasing, which frequently included long pauses.
The long pauses, anathema to mainstream radio, were either tolerated or loved by his loyal listeners. “I’m not afraid of dead air,” he was quoted as saying. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a quiet spot once in a while. When I pause I’m visualizing my audience, the person I’m speaking to. I always imagine I’m speaking to someone in particular.”
I wish someone could tell me what the music was for each day…after the birds, each day had a signature piece…on monday it was “Queen of Sheba” but that is the only one I know. I wish I could find the others…
Please keep looking, Jay! There are so many of us out here that grew up with Robert J. and his cathartic voice. I’d love to start my day with the sounds of chirping birds, fading into Handel’s The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and then if I could just hear an intro from Robert J….I would be in 7th heaven. Please keep looking.
Heard a snippet of a piece on my car radio that was one of the intro pieces Mr. Lurtsema used. My heart jumped with happiness and my memory overlaid his bird chirpings. Then my eyes welled up at the memories of those by-gone days and fact that he has left us.
Is there a recording available of his intro segments with the birds chirping? I think I need it.
I, too, would love to find a recording of the introduction/opening of a typical MPM show from back in the day. Can there be a better way to start the day, or to wake up, than to hear morning birdsong for a minute or two, and then hear the chamber music join in? I don’t think so. I haven’t found it on youtube, or out there on the web. If you do, please let me know; I want to set it as the sound for the alarm clock an app on my Droid. Thanks, Jay.
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I wish someone could tell me what the music was for each day…after the birds, each day had a signature piece…on monday it was “Queen of Sheba” but that is the only one I know. I wish I could find the others…
As I search the web, I keep finding more and more people that are on the hunt for this segment. WGBH would make a lot of people VERY happy. :-)
Please keep looking, Jay! There are so many of us out here that grew up with Robert J. and his cathartic voice. I’d love to start my day with the sounds of chirping birds, fading into Handel’s The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and then if I could just hear an intro from Robert J….I would be in 7th heaven. Please keep looking.
Dear WGBH Friends-
Heard a snippet of a piece on my car radio that was one of the intro pieces Mr. Lurtsema used. My heart jumped with happiness and my memory overlaid his bird chirpings. Then my eyes welled up at the memories of those by-gone days and fact that he has left us.
Is there a recording available of his intro segments with the birds chirping? I think I need it.
Best regards,
Lars Peterson
Washington, DC
Thanks for asking, Lars. I would like to hear a clip of that morning tradition, too.
I’ll forward your inquiry to several folks who might be able to provide an answer.
I, too, would love to find a recording of the introduction/opening of a typical MPM show from back in the day. Can there be a better way to start the day, or to wake up, than to hear morning birdsong for a minute or two, and then hear the chamber music join in? I don’t think so. I haven’t found it on youtube, or out there on the web. If you do, please let me know; I want to set it as the sound for the alarm clock an app on my Droid. Thanks, Jay.
I haven’t yet had success, but I’m still looking!
try Handel’s arrival of the queen of Sheba http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJEUR1XHHD8