American music commentator and critic Jim Svejda will retire this month after 43 years at Classical KUSC, the radio station staff announced yesterday in a blog post.
“Jim has made a lasting impact in the world of classical music,” KUSC staff said in the post.
KUSC, owned and operated by USC, is the largest and most listened to public radio and nonprofit classical music station in the nation. Svejda, one of the most respected critical voices in classical music, currently hosts the station’s local series, “The Evening Program,” that runs from 7 p.m. until midnight each week night.
The classical music commentator has also hosted and produced the syndicated radio series “The Record Shelf” since 1983. Every Sunday at 10 p.m., he reviews new and old classical recordings and plays rare historical recordings of renowned performers.
“Over the decades, Jim has delighted Classical KUSC listeners with his meticulously crafted commentaries on diverse composers, conductors and artists,” read the post.
KUSC also posted the news of Svejda’s upcoming retirement on Facebook, garnering more than 1000 reactions and more than 300 comments. Mark Paul Ike, who was a graduate student at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in 1982, said he had listened to Svejda since he was in college and his four daughters grew up listening to him.
“He has truly been a musical mentor to my whole family all this time,” Ike said. “When [my daughters] visit me, they get nostalgic when his signature tune comes on at 7 p.m.. On behalf of the entire Ike family, thank you!”
Svejda’s last show will be Friday, Feb. 18. A replacement host will be named soon, the station said.