Arts Conversations

Jana Lee Ross speaks with Virginia Symphony Music Director Eric Jacobsen and mandolinist/composer Chris Thile about musical storytelling, and their upcoming Virginia Arts Festival performances of Thile's new work ATTENTION! A narrative song cycle for extroverted mandolinist and orchestra.

Raymond Jones speaks with Todd Stoll, who directs the Attucks Jazz Orchestra in Virginia Arts Festival's celebration of the 125th anniversary of Duke Ellington's birth, with a program that goes well beyond the greatest hits.

Raymond Jones speaks with Music Director Jorge Parodi about Opera in Williamsburg's upcoming production of Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman.

Raymond Jones speaks with pianist Lara Downes about her upcoming performances with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, which will feature a new piano concerto by local composer Adolphus Hailstork.

Composer Gregory Spears speaks with Raymond Jones about his new work The Neighboring Village (inspired by a Kafka story), which was commissioned to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Virginia Chorale.

Raymond Jones talks with pianist Olga Kern about her upcoming performances of the complete cycle of Rachmaninoff concertos with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

Dwight Davis talks with Virginia Symphony Orchestra Music Director Eric Jacobsen about the upcoming Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto Festival with Olga Kern.

Wayla talks with classical singer Julia Bullock about her upcoming Virginia Arts Festival performance of Jessie Montgomery's Five Freedom Songs.

Rebecca Weinstein spoke with Elizabeth Blackney, Executive Director of the Cook Foundation, about the 2023 Gloucester Arts Festival.

Dwight Davis talks with violists Lawrence Dutton