Elliott Forrest

Host

WQXR Midday Host Elliott Forrest (Myles Aronowtiz/Lush Photography)

Elliott Forrest, small-Town Texan with a a think-big producer’s mentality, is the weekday afternoon host on WQXR.

Elliott Forrest discovered the storytelling power of classical music in the formative years of his music education through Rimsky-Korsakov’s exquisite Scheherazade. He had always loved telling stories, and he had decided early on that he would pursue a career in show business that would allow him to do just that for a living. At the age of 17, Elliott was a high school student with big dreams working a part-time job at a gas station. The problem was, he hated it. So, he did what any other teenager in his situation would do: He walked right into the local television station without a meeting and asked, “You guys don’t need anybody, do you?”

Turns out, they did, and he became the production assistant. The following summer, the same line got him his first ever radio job as the overnight announcer at his local station, and when work at a Kansas City theater company led to a brief commercial recording session, his signature query landed him his first gig with a classical station.

Today, as the weekday afternoon host of WQXR, Elliott provides the soundtrack to listeners’ daily commutes, offering them a window to the arts. His wildly popular brainchild The Score at Four — inspired by his love of film — has become a weekday staple, and he continues to push the boundaries of what it means to be a classical music radio station with similarly novel programming initiatives. Beyond the studio, Elliott works as a director, producer, and television host, and he also serves as Executive and Artistic Director of ArtsRock, a Not-For-Profit organization in Rockland County.

Shows:

Elliott Forrest appears in the following:

Bob Evans (1953-2024): A Personal Remembrance by Elliott Forrest

Monday, April 29, 2024

WQXR

By Elliott Forrest : Host

The first day I met Bob Evans changed the course of the rest of my life.

Comments [54]

Here’s to Clayelle Dalferes

Thursday, January 04, 2024

WQXR

By Elliott Forrest : Host

"Clayelle Dalferes has been a constant, soothing, knowledgeable voice on WQXR and NY Radio for decades," writes Elliott Forrest.

Comments [108]

Have You Heard | "Maestro"

Monday, November 20, 2023

WQXR

By Elliott Forrest : Host

WQXR Host Elliott Forrest on "Maestro" (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

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Artist Check-in with Alexandre Kantorow

Friday, October 20, 2023

WQXR

WQXR Host Elliott Forrest checks in with Alexandre Kantorow ahead of the pianist's Carnegie Hall appearance.

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Artist Check-in with Alisa Weilerstein

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

WQXR

Alisa Weilerstein is one of the world’s most in-demand cellists, and Elliott Forrest recently caught up with her for a few minutes.

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The Avery Fisher Career Grant Recipients 2020

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Join us this coming Wednesday, March 25, at 5 pm for this year’s announcement of the Avery Fisher Career Grant recipients.

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Elliott Forrest with Wynton Marsalis and Nicola Benedetti

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Listen to when composer/trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and violinist Nicola Benedetti dropped by our studio to talk with WQXR's own Elliott Forrest!

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Movie Music with Eddie Izzard

Friday, May 24, 2019

Comedian and actor Eddie Izzard joined our very own Elliott Forrest in the studio to talk about his favorite movie music ahead of his upcoming shows at the Beacon Theater.

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Mahler in the Mountains

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Host Elliott Forrest shares highlights of his summer jaunt to the Grand Teton Music Festival, with an audio interview, pictures and a complete musical performance.

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Clarinetist Sam Boutris and Pianist Tomer Gewirtzman in The Greene Space at WQXR.

Clarinetist Sam Boutris and Pianist Tomer Gewirtzman Play Mozart, Brahms and Chopin

Wednesday, November 01, 2017

Take a respite from your busy work day and hear some of classical music’s best-loved composers performed by rising stars from The Juilliard School.

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Pianist Leif Ove Andsnes Live in The Greene Space

Monday, October 16, 2017

On Monday, Oct. 16, pianist Leif Ove Andsnes appeared at The Greene Space to celebrate the release of his new Sibelius album. Watch the webcast here.

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Midday Masterpieces with Pianist Yun Wei

Wednesday, October 04, 2017

Take a respite from your busy work day and hear some of classical music’s best-loved composers performed by rising stars from The Juilliard School.

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Meet Maxim Lando, the Young Pianist Joining Lang Lang and Chick Corea at Carnegie Hall

Monday, October 02, 2017

By James Bennett II

Maxim Lando has played Carnegie Hall over a dozen times since his debut at six years old. He returns for opening night, playing alongside Lang Lang and Chick Corea.

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Midday Masterpieces With The Argus Quartet

Wednesday, September 06, 2017

Take a respite from your busy work day and hear some of classical music’s best-loved composers performed by rising stars from The Juilliard School.

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The East Coast Chamber Orchestra play at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park.

Listen: The East Coast Chamber Orchestra Live From Central Park

Tuesday, August 01, 2017

Listen as the East Coast Chamber Orchestra takes over the Naumburg Bandshell for an evening of Holst, Grieg, Shostakovich, Bach and Diamond.

Comments [5]

Listen: Caramoor Opens its Summer Season With a Night of Italian Opera

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Hear Caramoor open its summer season with a concert celebrating the 20th anniversary of Bel Canto.

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Watch: WQXR Presents the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Winners

Monday, June 12, 2017

At 7 pm on Friday, June 16, watch the Van Cliburn medalists in their first public appearance as winners. WQXR’s Elliott Forrest hosts the evening from The Greene Space.

Comments [2]

Midday Masterpieces From Schubert, Bartók and Mendelssohn

Wednesday, May 03, 2017

Take a respite from your busy work day and hear the Bordone Quartet, from Juilliard's honors chamber music program, play works by Schubert, Bartók and Mendelssohn.

Comments [1]