Signature Series: Echoes of Heritage with Olga Kern, piano

Name: Signature Series: Echoes of Heritage with Olga Kern, piano
Start: 2026-02-28T19:30:00-05:00
Location: Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts

Schedule

Sat, 28 Feb, 2026 at 07:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts | Annapolis, MD

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2
with Olga Kern, pianist
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

MUSIC PROGRAM
Silvestre Revueltas Janitzio
Sergei Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, Olga Kern, piano
William Dawson Negro Folk Symphony

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.
Tickets for the performance at the Music Center at Strathmore must be purchased from the Strathmore website.
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).
Photo credit: Chris Lee