Eric Glissmeyer is Classical 89’s Program Services Manager, and on-air host for Music for a Sunday Morning. He has loved listening to the radio ever since he was a child. He grew up with popular music and rock and roll, and he began his record collection at age 14. His introduction to classical music came through the accordion. He studied the instrument at Larry Pino Conservatory in Holladay. Each year the conservatory took an accordion ensemble to competition with each member taking a part of the orchestral score of a symphony movement. Later he became immersed in classical music as a vocal performance student at BYU, where he received a Master of Music degree. As a student, he began working at Classical 89 and he joined the full-time staff in 1991. As Program Services Manager he selects and schedules all of the station’s programming. Glissmeyer continues to have a passion for performing, and as often as time allows still works with various local organizations, including the Hale Center Theater and Scera Orem. He also enjoys watching movies, and spending time with his family.

What are you reading lately:

I recently read The Silmarillion by Tolkien for the second time. Some of it is hard reading, and I’d have been lost without another trusty book called “The Complete Tolkien Companion.” It tells stories from the first and second ages of Middle Earth, and I find it fascinating. I don’t think that Tolkien’s writing itself is all that spectacular, but I think his genius lies in the world he created, with its detailed interconnections between characters, places, events, etc. I also began reading The Hobbit again, in preparation for the film coming out at the end of the year. I can’t wait!

 What is your favorite building in Utah?

I love Abravanel Hall, especially the concert hall itself, with its beautiful chandeliers and gold leaf. Of course, the beauty of the music that takes place in the building surpasses even the beauty of the architecture.

What’s the most memorable concert you’ve been to lately?

I am completely enamored of the live movie theater broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera, and I have particularly enjoyed Wagner’s Ring Cycle. The singing, playing, and acting has been top-notch, and there is so much to look at with the set, projections, costumes, etc. I’ll never forget the time I’ve spent watching these operas.

If you could choose one piece of music to be your theme song what would it be?

 The Nimrod variation in Elgar’s Enigma Variations. You may know that each variation in the composition represents one of Elgar’s inner circle, and when I hear Nimrod, I think, “Wow, that guy must have been something special.” Not that I’m all that special…but I hope that someday people will remember me with the fondness and respect that Elgar had for his friend.

On the Spot

This is our chance to check in with members of Utah’s art community to see what they’ve been reading, seeing, doing.