PBS bringing radio’s ‘From the Top’ to TV

“From the Top,” a weekly public radio series that features musicians younger than 18 playing classical music, is expanding to television.

Funding has been secured to produce 13 episodes of “From the Top: Live From Carnegie Hall.” It is expected to debut on PBS early next year.

“The radio series manages to combine seriously brilliant classical music performance with a lighthearted zaniness,” said Laurie Donnelly, executive producer for WGBH-TV in Boston, which will produce the show. “This is exactly the kind of television programming that families ask us for.” Like the radio series, the TV version will be hosted by pianist Christopher O’Riley.

“From the Top” originated more than five years ago as a means of showcasing the work of talented young musicians and letting the audience get to know them. Performers are featured in interviews and other activities.

The radio series is heard on more than 200 stations, including KMZT-FM (105.1) locally.

“The live radio show has a charm and wit and easiness and gracefulness that kind of wraps its arms around you,” said Don Mischer, who will produce and direct the TV version. “The challenge for the television series is to inspire young American talent without being pretentious or highhanded, and to create a series that has a contemporary look and feel. Seeing that these kids are in many ways the same as other kids, with the same interests and problems and issues, will provide terrific role models for kids and for families.”