Tune in every Saturday at 8 p.m. on WHRO-FM to discover the latest and greatest in classical music releases with "This Just In," hosted by Raymond Jones. Let yourself be carried away by a selection of recent pieces that capture the essence of classical music.
Close your eyes and imagine that you are in the orchestra section of a grand theater. Everything is dark, but a beam of light turns on, illuminating the stage, then you can hear the first flowing strings creating a sense of fluidity and aquatic sway. The wind instruments and the percussion add flashes of light and the atmosphere becomes ethereal and magic. This is the beginning of “The Mermaid” by Alexander Zemlinsky, a tone poem inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's story, and it comes to life through the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Ryan Bancroft.
Then we move to a more intimate space to enjoy some chamber music from Richard Flury. The Colla Parte Quartet will perform the String Quartet No. 2, a piece that is included in the series dedicated to this neo-romantic master recently released by Toccata Classics.
Continuing with the musical variety, we will present "Ballade Fantasque" by Mary Howe, who hails from Richmond. Cellist Juliana Soltis and pianist Ruoting Li deliver a deeply moving interpretation that highlights the melodic richness and evocative character of this more freely structured work.
In previous editions of "This Just In," we have enjoyed the first two acts of the ballet "The Prince of the Pagodas" by Benjamin Britten, and today we will hear the third act, performed by The Halle Orchestra under the direction of Kahchun Wong.
Finally, the program will include the Pacifica Quartet performing Florence Price's String Quartet in G, as well as the young and talented Spanish violinist María Dueñas in "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso" by Camille Saint-Saëns.
Don't miss the best of the latest every Saturday at 8 p.m. on "This Just In," with Raymond Jones. Listen by tuning in to WHRO FM 90.3 or online through the Media Player.
