André Raphel, conductor Christopher O’Riley, piano Program Stravinsky: Scherzo a la Russe Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 Ravel: La Valse Ravel: Bolero This exhilarating concert takes its inspiration from dance, opening with the rhythmic Scherzo a la Russe by Stravinsky. Returning guest artist and “From the Top” radio host Christopher O’Riley performs one of Rachmaninoff’s most enduringly popular pieces, Piano Concerto No. 2; with its big opening chords and beautiful melodic line, the piano will truly dance with the orchestra in this spectacular romantic piece. The performance concludes with two ballet works by Ravel: La Valse and the perennial favorite Bolero, which Ravel viewed as an experiment in repetition, rhythm, crescendo and orchestration.
