The UMKC Conservatory Hour - A tragic overture, a majestic waltz and an autobiographical quartet

By Rodrigo Camargo,

Published May 29, 2026 at 9:31 AM CDT

Members of the UMKC Conservatory Orchestra perform at The Folly Theatre

Czech composer Bedřich Smetana was completely deaf when he wrote his first string quartet. On this episode, we'll hear a performance of that work, plus Johannes Brahms' "Tragic Overture," and a dazzling arrangement and performance by Sean Chen of Maurice Ravel's "La valse."

Host

Rodrigo Camargo
Rodrigo Camargo is a Brazilian composer currently pursuing his DMA in Composition at the UMKC Conservatory.

Program

Tragic Overture, Op. 81
by Johannes Brahms
Jacob Schnitzer and the UMKC Conservatory Orchestra

La Valse M.72
by Maurice Ravel, arr. Sean Chen
Sean Chen, piano

String Quartet No. 1 in E minor - "From My Life"
by Bedřich Smetana
UMKC Conservatory Graduate Fellowship String Quartet

The UMKC Conservatory hour on Classical KC is made possible with support from the UMKC Friends of the Conservatory and from listeners like you. Learn more about the Conservatory at conservatory.umkc.edu.