Echoes of Heritage at Maryland Hall
Sponsored by The Peter Evans Group. We thank you for your support.
Olga Kern, piano
Friday, February 27, 2026
Saturday, February 28, 2026
7:30 PM at Maryland Hall
Sunday, March 1, 2026
3:00 PM at The Music Center at Strathmore
Tickets for the performance at the Music Center at Strathmore must be purchased on the Strathmore website.
Silvestre Revueltas Janitzio
Sergei Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, Olga Kern, piano
William Dawson Negro Folk Symphony
MUSIC PROGRAM
Rachmaninoff’s unforgettable melodies, emotional depth, technical brilliance, and rich orchestral textures are instantly recognizable and stay with the listener long after the music ends. His Second Piano Concerto expresses a wide range of emotions, from passionate intensity to melancholic longing, often reflecting the composer’s own personal experiences. The melody in the second movement inspired Eric Carmen’s bestselling tune “All By Myself.”
Olga Kern, renowned for her technical skill and musicality, returns to the ASO on stage at Maryland Hall in Annapolis and at Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda to perform one of the greatest and most beloved works in the piano repertoire. Kern’s artistry embodies the technical brilliance, bold expression, and emotional depth that define Rachmaninoff’s style.
The evening begins with Silvestre Revueltas’ Janitzio, an energetic and colorful orchestral piece inspired by the rhythms and folk traditions of Mexico. Evoking the lively spirit of the island town for which it is named, Janitzio is a vibrant celebration of culture and movement.
Closing the program is William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony, a powerful and richly orchestrated work that draws on African American spirituals and folk melodies. Dawson’s symphony masterfully weaves traditional themes into a sweeping, symphonic form, offering a profound and moving reflection on heritage and resilience.
Olga Kern photo credit: Chris Lee
TICKETING
Tickets for the performance of Echoes of Heritage at Music Center at Strathmore must be purchased on the Strathmore website. Please visit strathmore.org.
Please call our Box Office to learn about student, military, law enforcement and first responder discounts that may be applied to this performance at both Maryland Hall and Strathmore: 410-263-0907.
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Build Your Own season and enjoy total flexibility with our FlexPass Subscription. Choose between 3 or 4 Signature Series concerts on either Friday or Saturday evenings!
Where Have I Heard This Before?
In both 2023 and 2024, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 was voted number one in Classic FM’s annual Classical Music “Hall of Fame” poll. Numerous films—such as William Dieterle’s “September Affair” (1950), Charles Vidor’s “Rhapsody” (1954), and Billy Wilde’s “The Seven Year Itch” (1955)—borrow themes from the concerto. It has also inspired popular songs, including Frank Sinatra’s “I Think of You,” from the second theme of the first movement, and “Full Moon and Empty Arms,” from the second theme of the third movement. Eric Carmen’s 1975 ballad “All by Myself” is based on the second movement.
Listen to It: Sergei Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2, performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic with Yuja Wang, piano, Gustavo Dudamel, conductor. Click here to listen.
Did You Know?
In his 1934 program notes, the composer William Dawson highlighted his inclusion of three spirituals he cherished from childhood in this piece: “Oh, My Little Soul Gwine Shine Like a Star” (or “Dig My Grave”), “O Le’ Me Shine,” and “Hallelujah, Lord, I Been Down into the Sea.” During 1952–53, Dawson embarked on a tour across West Africa, spending several weeks immersing himself in the local music and capturing recordings that profoundly influenced him. When he returned to the United States, he integrated what he heard into a revision of his symphony, and this is the version most popularly performed by orchestras today.
Listen to It: William Dawson, “Negro Folk Symphony”, performed by The Orchestra Now, Leon Botstein, conductor Click here to listen.
THANK YOU!
This performance is made possible in part with the support of the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC.org) and Arts Council of Anne Arundel County (ACAAC.org). We are also thankful for the continued support of former Board Member Peter Evans and The Evans Group.