We continue our Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto cycle this Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. on WHRO-FM’s “A Local Touch – Music with A Virginia Connection,” with a very special performance recorded right here in Hampton Roads.
Pianist Olga Kern — known worldwide for her extraordinary power and sensitivity — joins the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at the Virginia Arts Festival in a performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in c minor. This beloved work is one of the crown jewels of the Romantic repertoire — a concerto filled with sweeping melodies, emotional depth, and breathtaking intensity.
We’ll also shine a spotlight on another highlight of this year’s Virginia Arts Festival: the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, who will take the stage in Norfolk this May. But you won’t have to wait to experience their unique sound — we’ll feature their dazzling rendition of Bizet’s Carmen Suite. With virtuosic flair, creativity, and a wonderful sense of humor, these four musicians infuse every classical work they touch with color, rhythm, and joy.
Looking ahead to next week, we’ll celebrate the arrival of composer Jessie Montgomery, who will also be performing in our area. To warm up, we’ll enjoy her vibrant “Coincident Dances,” performed by the Chicago Sinfonietta under Mei-Ann Chen. This energetic, colorful orchestral piece blends Montgomery’s wide range of musical influences in a way that feels fresh, modern, and deeply rooted in community spirit.
Later this month, early music lovers are in for a treat as The Tallis Scholars will also be performing in Norfolk. In anticipation of their concert, we’ll feature two selections from “The Great Service” by William Byrd. This masterpiece of English Renaissance music is celebrated for its intricate beauty and emotional depth.
And as we approach the Easter season, we’ll share a very special performance from Williamsburg: the Williamsburg Choral Guild’s moving interpretation of Antonín Dvořák’s “Stabat Mater.” This deeply spiritual work, born out of personal loss, transforms sorrow into a powerful musical expression of hope, compassion, and faith.
And for a moment of calm and reflection, we’ll also hear “The Prayer” in a beautiful instrumental version by the Adagio Trio, an ensemble known for their sensitivity and grace. In their hands, the music flows without words and every note carries emotion. It’s the perfect pause to breathe, reflect, and simply let yourself be carried away by the music.
It’s all yours to enjoy as Raymond Jones brings you music with “A Local Touch” — Wednesday evening at 9:00 on WHRO-FM 90.3 and also online through the Media Player.
