Play It Forward – Zora Richardson
Meet Zora Richardson, one of All Classical Radio’s Winter/Spring 2026 interns. We asked Zora to share some pieces of music that live close to her heart and have inspired her through the years.
Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
This concerto is my favorite piece of classical music of all time. It has a little something for everyone! A passionate first movement gives way to a lyrical andante (a medium-slow “walking tempo”), and a thrilling, explosive finale tops it all off. I studied violin for four years in high school, and this piece always inspired me to practice.
Howard Shore’s “The Shire”
Fun fact: The Return of the King came out in theaters the year I was born! The Lord of the Rings films are some of the first movies I remember watching as a child. This piece evokes a bone-deep nostalgia in me. It takes me back to a time when my parents and I would cuddle up on the couch and lose ourselves in Tolkien’s universe. Today, I revisit them when I need to believe that good will prevail, and that the little guys can take on the world.
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D minor
I spent many months studying this piece while learning the violin as a teenager. The overlapping motifs, repeated phrases, and intricate duets make me imagine the inner workings of a clock. The Hillary Hahn recordings are my favorite, as she was one of my biggest inspirations as a young violinist.
Gioachino Rossini’s Overture to William Tell (Finale)
In high school, I took a lot of AP classes, which culminated in stressful, multi-hour exams. I had a CD in my car with this track on it, and I would listen to it before my exams to settle into the right headspace. It became my favorite good-luck ritual, and I think it really worked!
“O Mio Babbino Caro” from Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini
“O Mio Babbino Caro” was my first “big girl” aria (as my voice teacher says), which I sang as a sophomore in college. While this piece is often performed as a sorrowful solo, it comes from a comedic opera. In Gianni Schicchi, a wealthy man dies and leaves his fortune to a monastery rather than to his family, who were expecting the inheritance. To remedy this, his family hatches a plot with their soon-to-be-in-law, Gianni Schicchi. Schicchi disguises himself as the deceased old man and writes a new will “from his deathbed.” Then, at the last minute, he leaves all the money to himself! “O Mio Babbino Caro” is Schicchi’s daughter’s plea that he allow her to marry Rinuccio, the nephew of the wealthy deceased man.
Sydney Guillaume’s “This, Too, Shall Pass”
Portland composer Sydney Guillaume wrote “This, Too, Shall Pass” in 2022. In spring 2023, I sang it for the first time with University Singers at University of Portland under the direction of Dr. David De Lyser. This spring, we performed it for a second time, and Guillaume himself conducted one of our rehearsals, which was both exciting and terrifying! In early March, we took it to the Northwest ACDA conference and had the joy of sharing it with college choirs from around the region. I especially resonate with the song’s promise that “we will strive when joy is more difficult than sadness and despair.” If that’s something you need to hear today, I highly recommend giving it a listen.
“Wait For Me (Reprise)” from Hadestown
I wanted to round out this playlist with a nod to my background in musical theater. Of the many musicals I hold close to my heart, Anaïs Mitchell’s Hadestown is by far my favorite. My mom and I have bonded over our shared love for this masterpiece, and we recently saw it together on Broadway! Here’s to seeing how the world could be, “in spite of the way that it is.”
About Zora
As a lifelong listener and classical music lover, I am so excited to be interning with All Classical Radio! I am a fourth-year student at University of Portland pursuing dual degrees in Theater and Arts Administration with a minor in Music. My love of music began with piano and violin lessons through middle and high school, but these days, I’ve found a true passion for vocal performance. You can find me in the soprano section of University Singers or onstage in UP Theater productions (including The Lightning Thief in April 2026!). During the summer, I perform free Shakespeare in the Portland parks with Original Practice Shakespeare Festival, where I also serve as music captain. In my downtime, I love to devour fantasy novels, explore Portland with my friends, and perfect my skills with an espresso machine.