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Classical Music Conversations

Michael-Thomas Foumai and HSO on Morning Café

Hawaiʻi Public Radio | By Gene Schiller

Published March 11, 2025 at 5:55 PM HST

Michael-Thomas Foumai joins Gene Schiller to discuss the successful Beethoven Festival by the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra (HSO), which concludes with a free concert at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 12. The event features a collaboration with the Hawaii Youth Symphony Orchestra, performing his piece "Elysium," inspired by Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony.

HSO will also perform a video game tribute concert on March 15 and 16, showcasing music from popular video games like "Elder Scrolls" and "World of Warcraft." The orchestra will be accompanied by a chorus and a 40-foot screen, creating an immersive video game experience. Learn more at myhso.org.

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Classical Music Conversations Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra

Gene Schiller

Gene Schiller joined HPR in September, 1993 as a board operator. His first break came when he was asked to fill in for Music Director Alan Bunin. Six months later, he became the new host of Evening Concert, a program that runs on HPR-2 from 6 to 8 p.m. on weeknights.

See stories by Gene Schiller

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