What's Happening in Bethesda, MD…

An upcoming concert will feature three entirely different works from the same composer.

Sergei Rachmaninoff was a Russian conductor and composer who was also considered to be one of the most gifted pianists of his time. Critics note the strong influence of Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky on his early works, which gave way to his own strong viewpoint. This concert will feature “Vocalise,” the well-known “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,” and the “Slavonic Dances.”

“Vocalise” is a song without words. The performer, a tenor or soprano, chooses one vowel to sing throughout the work. Today, it is most often performed as an instrumental work rather than a vocal one.

The “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” has a single movement and is a work for piano and orchestra. The work is popular and has been used in films such as “Somewhere in Time” and 1993’s “Groundhog Day,” and on television in episodes of “The Good Wife” and “The Walking Dead.”

The “Slavonic Dances” is an orchestral suite that highlights much of the nostalgia Rachmaninoff had for his homeland, as well as incorporating some influences of music he found fascinating, including church music. Using brochure printing, organizers of events like this can create programs to help audiences’ understanding of the works.

Joyce Yang is the pianist for the evening, and Lidiya Yankovskaya will conduct the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The concert will take place at The Music Center at Strathmore on Friday, July 24.