The Bells, the rhapsody and the symphonic dances of Sergei Rachmaninoff

By Dan Margolies,

Published April 5, 2023 at 1:34 PM CDT

Composer Sergei Rachmaninoff at three stages of life. His 150th birthday was April 1, 2023.

Celebrate the 150th birthday of Sergei Rachmaninoff with co-hosts Michael Stern and Dan Margolies as they highlight three of his most beloved works. We'll hear Rachmaninoff's choral symphony "The Bells" featuring the Kansas City Symphony Chorus, his "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" featuring pianist Joyce Yang, and his "Symphonic Dances."

An agreement with the Kansas City Symphony allows us to share audio for this program up to four weeks after the program's original air date. You can listen to currently available episodes here.

Hosts

Michael Stern
Dan Margolies

Program

The Bells, Op. 35
by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Kansas City Symphony Chorus - Charles Bruffy, director
Jessica Rivera - soprano
Matthew Plenk - tenor
Weston Hurt - baritone
Live performance, April 2013

Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43
by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joyce Yang - piano
Live performance, June 2014

Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Live performance, September 2018