Saturday evening is the perfect time to discover the newest classical music releases, and Raymond Jones has them ready just for you. Tune in to WHRO-FM at 8:00 p.m. for “This Just In” and explore the freshest additions to the classical repertoire.
Coming straight from Richmond, we have a brand-new release from Raven Records: “Fire and Fantasy.” And, as expected from Raven, the album features some of the most significant organ works, including Alexandre Guilmant’s Symphony No. 1 in D minor. This three-movement piece was recorded at the Grand Court of Macy’s in Philadelphia, performed by Peter Richard Conte on the Wanamaker Organ, alongside Symphony in C Orchestra from New Jersey under the direction of Stilian Kirov.
The voices of the BBC Singers take center stage in Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms.” This choral masterpiece for choir, soloists, and orchestra is one of Bernstein’s most iconic works. In this performance, one of the UK’s finest choral ensembles brings to life the striking contrast between conflict and peace that defines these Psalms.
From the Capriccio label, we present a must-have album for lovers of Nordic Romanticism: the complete symphonies of Christian Sinding. This collection offers a comprehensive look at the Norwegian composer’s symphonic cycle. For this program, Raymond Jones has selected Sinding’s Symphony No. 1, a significant work in his repertoire, performed masterfully by the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Karl-Heinz Steffens.
From the grandeur of the symphony, we shift to the virtuosity of the concerto with a stunning performance of Sir William Walton’s Violin Concerto. Violinist Charlie Lovell-Jones joins the Sinfonia of London, conducted by John Wilson, for a truly remarkable rendition. The program concludes with “Nine Preludes for Piano” by Gabriel Fauré, performed by pianist Lucas Debargue, and “Four Illustrations for the Legend of Rhiannon” by Grace Williams, brought to life by the BBC Philharmonic under John Andrews.
From the intimate piano pieces of Fauré to Gilmand and Sinding’s grand symphonies, Walton’s exquisite violin concerto, and Bernstein’s melodic Psalms—this program offers a wide-ranging journey through the world of classical music. Don’t miss it this Saturday at 8:00 p.m. on WHRO-FM 90.3 or online.
