If you want to stay up to date with the latest in classical music releases, don’t miss “This Just In,” every Saturday at 8 p.m. on WHRO-FM. This week, Raymond Jones has curated a special selection to celebrate Women’s History Month, featuring remarkable works by female performers and composers, alongside other unique pieces to enhance your Saturday evening.
The violin will take center stage to start the night. Young Spanish virtuoso María Dueñas has just released her second album, paying homage to Paganini and the composers influenced by him. For tonight’s show, Raymond has selected Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Caprice Andalous, Op. 122,” which Dueñas will perform with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, conducted by Maestro Mihhail Gerts.
Among Saint-Saëns’ contemporaries in 19th-century Paris was the brilliant composer Augusta Holmès. Tonight, we’ll hear “Roland Furieux,” a three-movement work depicting scenes from Ludovico Ariosto’s epic poem. This piece is part of the album “Augusta Holmès: Symphonic Poems,” recently released by CPO, performed by Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz under the baton of Michael Francis.
For fans of lesser-known and unique pieces, you won’t want to miss the next selection. The Raven Records label has just released a collection of organ and orchestra works, performed by Peter Richard Conte on the Wanamaker Organ, accompanied by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Stilian Kirov. Recorded in the Grand Court of Macy’s in Philadelphia, we’ll hear “Fantasia and Fugue on Ad Nos Salutarem Undam” by Franz Liszt. This arrangement for organ and orchestra, originally made by Marcel Dupré in 1930, was rediscovered in 1997, making it a rare and exceptional find.
We’ll then take a musical journey to Europe, starting in France, where the Palais des Dégustateurs label is releasing Shostakovich’s symphonies. This evening, we’ll be treated to Symphony No. 8, Op. 65, performed by the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the brilliant Carlos Paita. Next, we head to Spain, where the Juan March Foundation has released an album nominated for Best Premiere Recording at the 2025 International Classical Music Awards: “Conrado del Campo: String Quartets by Quatuor Diotima.” We will feature String Quartet No. 9 this evening.
To close out the night in honor of Women’s History Month, listeners will be enchanted by a special composition from Ida Presti. A French composer who was considered one of the finest guitarists of the 20th century, Presti’s “Étude Fantasque” for duo guitar will add a magical touch to the evening.
Don’t miss this edition of “This Just In,” this Saturday at 8 p.m. on WHRO-FM 90.3 or online. And remember, we can bring you shows like "This Just In" thanks to your generous support. Consider donating today and let's brighten your Saturday evening with unique classical gems.
