Get ready for a musical journey that brings the magic of the Virginia Arts Festival straight to your living room! This Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. on WHRO FM 90.3, “A Local Touch – Music with a Virginia Connection” invites you to discover the incredible artists who will soon be performing live across Hampton Roads. Why wait? Start enjoying their unforgettable interpretations and feel the excitement build for the Festival’s upcoming season.
This week, pianist Olga Kern and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra return to the spotlight. We’ll open the program with their stunning performance of “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” by Rachmaninoff, featuring Van Cliburn Medalist Olga Kern with the VSO under the direction of Eric Jacobsen. This recording was made during the Virginia Arts Festival’s celebration of Rachmaninoff’s 150th anniversary.
Looking ahead, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra will present Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 9 in concerts on May 9 and 10 in Newport News and Virginia Beach as part of the Virginia Arts Festival, and Olga Kern will also return to Hampton Roads from May 21 to 23, appearing alongside the Zemlinsky Quartet.
To introduce ourselves to the acclaimed Czech ensemble, we’ll listen to their interpretation of “Cypresses,” a cycle of short pieces for string quartet by Antonín Dvořák. This collection beautifully encapsulates the melancholy and lyrical character so typical of the composer. The Zemlinsky Quartet’s performance shines with polished technique and a tender, expressive tone.
Another major artist soon visiting Hampton Roads is the legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Be sure to mark your calendars for June 8! As a preview, this Wednesday on “A Local Touch,” you’ll hear him performing Brahms' Piano Quartet No. 3—also known as the “Werther Quartet” for its dark and passionate character—alongside pianist Emanuel Ax, violinist Isaac Stern, and violist Jaime Laredo.
We’ll also feature the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, who recently visited the area. This week, we’ll hear their riveting performance of “Ask the Sphinx” by Andrew York. Their interpretation stands out for its musical brilliance, technical precision, and expressive depth, creating an organic, immersive, and thought-provoking soundscape that captures the spirit of York’s composition.
Next, soprano Renée Fleming takes center stage with her exquisite interpretation of Mahler’s “Rückert Lieder.” Accompanied by pianist Christian Thielemann, Fleming delivers a performance marked by delicate nuance and remarkable vocal control. If you want to experience her sumptuous voice live, she will be appearing in Norfolk this June as part of the Virginia Arts Festival, too.
And also coming to Hampton Roads in June is celebrated cellist Nina Kotova. But you won’t have to wait that long to hear her: we’ll enjoy her performance of an arrangement of Chopin’s Etude, Opus 25, No. 7 during this week’s broadcast.
Stay connected with the Virginia Arts Festival and great music with “A Local Touch,” Wednesday evenings at 9:00 on WHRO FM 90.3 or streaming online through our media player.
