Join Raymond Jones this Wednesday at 9:00 PM on WHRO-FM for A Local Touch: Music with a Virginia Connection, where the spotlight shines on the rich musical landscape of Eastern Virginia. This week's episode celebrates Anton Bruckner's bicentenary with the University of Richmond Choir’s performances of the Benedictus and Agnus Dei from his Mass No. 3, a fitting tribute to the composer's enduring legacy.
But that’s just the beginning. Dive into the evening with not one, but two concerts! The first one will feature the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Thomas Wilkins, with a dynamic lineup of works by Zoltán Kodály, George Butterworth, and Alexander Borodin, alongside a special performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D, featuring Geneva Lewis as soloist.
The celebration of Virginia’s musical talent continues with the Virginia Chorale, directed by Charles Woodward, in their program "Commonwealth Connections." This segment showcases the world premiere of Gregory Spears’ “The Neighboring Village,” a work specially commissioned to celebrate the Virginia Chorale’s 40th anniversary, as Spears explained during his conversation with Raymond Jones a few months ago. You can listen to that complete interview here: Arts Conversations: The Neighboring Village: a new work for the Virginia Chorale (whro.org)
The program also includes Randall Thompson’s evocative “Ode to the Virginian Voyage”, and pieces by Thea Musgrave, Judith Shatin, and Undine Smith Moore, highlighting the creativity and diverse voices connected to the region.
Don't miss this chance to explore Virginia's vibrant classical music scene this Wednesday at 9:00 PM on A Local Touch: Music with a Virginia Connection only on WHRO-FM.
And you can find out more about these local ensembles and their upcoming seasons at the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Virginia Chorale websites.
