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The Philadelphia Orchestra In Concert on WRTI: All Rachmaninoff with Westminster Symphonic Choir

Join us on Sunday, December 27th at 1 PM and Monday, December 28th at 7 PM on WRTI HD-2 to hear a memorable performance from February, 2014, conducted by Vladimir Jurovsky. It's a concert that will surely please all fans of Rachmaninoff’s music!

In this re-broadcast, you'll hear The Philadelphians perform Rachmaninoff’s choral-symphonic setting of Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting poem, The Bells, which received its U.S. premiere here in Philadelphia in 1920 with Leopold Stokowski conducting. Between each of the four movements of this magnificent choral symphony, Poe’s original text is dramatically recited in English by actor Sherman Howard, to capture the full essence of the words and music together.

Tenor Viktor Antipenko, who stepped in on very short notice, and the Westminster Symphonic Choir under guest conductor Vladimir Jurowskijoined The Philadelphia Orchestra in this powerful work.

In the first part of Sunday's concert broadcast, we'll be treated to a performance of Rachmaninoff's ever-popular Vocalise, for Orchestra, and three works for voice, two from opera: Francesca's aria from Francesca da Rimini, sung by Tatiana Monogarova, and the Cavatina from Aleko, sung richly by Sergei Leiferkus. Ms. Monagarova will also sing one of Rachmaninoff's many songs, How Fair This Spot, from Op. 21.

http://youtu.be/dc5bILQlejQ

http://youtu.be/N1qbYmQbFG4

A special treat will be a performance of Rachmaninoff's brittle and sarcastic Piano Concerto No. 4, by the young Russian pianist making his Philadelphia Orchestra debut, Alexey Zuev.

During intermission you'll hear from Maestro Jurowski and the Orchestra's longtime violinist, Herb Light. A lush and luxurious two-hour treat it will be, so don't miss it!

PROGRAM: All Rachmaninoff

Vocalise for Orchestra
“O, ne riday, moy Paolo, ne nado…” from Francesca da Rimini
Cavatina from Aleko
"How Fair This Spot," Op. 21 No. 7
Piano Concerto No. 4

INTERMISSION

The Bells, for Chorus, Orchestra, and Tenor Soloist

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Vladimir Jurowski, conductor

Alexey Zuev, pianist

Tatiana Monogarova, soprano

Sergei Leiferkus, baritone

Viktor Antipenko, tenor

Westminster Symphonic Choir, Joe Miller, music director

Gregg was the host of WRTI's morning drive show from 2012 until his retirement from WRTI in January, 2021. He began producing and hosting The Philadelphia Orchestra In Concert broadcasts in 2013, joining the Orchestra in Hong Kong for the first-ever live international radio broadcasts from that island in 2016, and in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for two historic broadcasts in 2018. You can still hear Gregg as host of the Orchestra broadcasts every Sunday and Monday on WRTI.