As the Virginia Arts Festival continues to bring world-class performances to Hampton Roads, “A Local Touch: Music with a Virginia Connection” keeps pace, offering an on-air extension of the live experience. This Wednesday at 9:00 p.m., host Raymond Jones presents a new selection of Festival-connected artists—some you may have seen on stage recently, and others you can still catch live as the Virginia Arts Festival continues across Hampton Roads.
We begin with the acclaimed Zemlinsky Quartet, a string ensemble named in honor of Austrian composer Alexander Zemlinsky. This week, Raymond Jones features their performance of Zemlinsky’s own String Quartet No. 4. It’s the perfect introduction to the group’s artistry as they arrive for a series of Virginia Arts Festival performances: Wednesday in Williamsburg, Thursday in Norfolk, and Friday in Virginia Beach, where WHRO’s Dwight Davis will host a special Coffee Concert.
The spotlight then shifts to double bass virtuoso Edgar Meyer. We’ll hear his Quintet for Double Bass and String Quartet, performed alongside the legendary Emerson String Quartet. Meyer, a recent Festival guest, shared the stage just days ago with cellist Joshua Roman and violinist Tessa Lark in a concert still echoing in the minds of local audiences. We’ll also hear Tessa Lark’s shimmering interpretation of Schubert’s “Fantasie in C,” a beautiful reminder of her unforgettable visit.
Vocal music also takes center stage with Renée Fleming performing Schumann’s poignant song cycle “A Woman’s Love and Life.” If this leaves you wanting more, mark your calendar—Fleming returns to Norfolk on June 1 with a special appearance at the Harrison Opera House.
The program concludes with a genre-defying performance of Bach by three musical icons: cellist Yo-Yo Ma, mandolinist Chris Thile, and, once again, Edgar Meyer on double bass. Their collaboration fuses classical depth with spontaneous charm. And there’s more good news for fans—Yo-Yo Ma will perform live in the area this June.
Whether you're reliving a recent performance or previewing what’s still to come, join Raymond Jones this Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. for “A Local Touch” —on WHRO-FM 90.3 or streaming online—where the magic of the Festival continues, one note at a time.
