St. Louis Symphony Orchestra president Fred Bronstein has another new initiative, and it’s one that will benefit everyone within earshot of KFUO-FM (99.1) by radio or by Internet: broadcasts of the SLSO, both live and archival performances.

They’ll start at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, with a live broadcast from Powell Symphony Hall of Ludwig van Beethoven’s ever-popular Symphony No. 9, “Choral,” with music director David Robertson conducting the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, and solo singers Heidi Grant Murphy, soprano; Jennifer Dudley, mezzo-soprano; Brandon Jovanovich, tenor’ and Jonathan Lemalu, bass. Also on the program: the local premiere of Thomas Adès’ “Asyla.”

From July 1 to September 1, Robertson will host a series of recordings of performances by the SLSO, from his time and from the more distant archives. The 11-week series will be heard on Wednesdays at 8 p.m., and rerun on Fridays at midnight.

Here’s the official press release:

St. Louis (April 8, 2009)—The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and St. Louis’ classical-music station, KFUO-Classic 99 (99.1 FM & www.classic99.com) announced two broadcast initiatives today:

On Saturday, May 9, 2009, at 7:30 p.m., KFUO-Classic 99 (99.1 FM and www.classic99.com) will broadcast live from Powell Hall the SLSO’s performance of Thomas Adès’ Asyla (a St. Louis premiere) and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, “Choral,” featuring SLSO Music Director and Conductor David Robertson, guest vocalists Heidi Grant Murphy, Jennifer Dudley, Brandon Jovanovich and Jonathan Lemalu, with the Saint Louis Symphony Chorus under the direction of Amy Kaiser. In addition, KFUO will broadcast a special pre-concert show from 3:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., which will include a discussion with Fred Bronstein, President and Executive Director of the SLSO.

Beginning July 1, 2009, and running through September 9, 2009, KFUO will broadcast a weekly SLSO Summer Series hosted by David Robertson. The series will feature music by the SLSO from archival recordings as well as more recent live recordings made during David Robertson’s tenure as Music Director, from the 2005-06 season to the present. The 11-week SLSO Summer Series may be heard on Wednesday evenings beginning at 8 p.m. CST with rebroadcasts on Fridays at midnight.

All broadcasts may also be heard live on classic99.com.