(Enlarge) Pianist Christopher O'Riley warms up for the final "Symphony With a Twist" program by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra with a tasteful bit of tattoo body art.

During its seven years, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's "Symphony with a Twist" series has delivered an eclectic musical mix for a diversified audience. Although the BSO is pulling the plug on the series after this weekend's program, the orchestra's upcoming season indicates that its legacy may well linger.

"Romeo and Radiohead" wraps up the "Symphony with a Twist" series with some interesting twists all its own. Expect classical, jazz and rock musical styles to abound this Friday, April 24, at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, and again Saturday, April 25, at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore. The program also is being done (with the exception of the Radiohead portion) on Thursday, April 23, at the Meyerhoff.

The "Romeo" portion refers to orchestral selections from Prokofiev's ballet "Romeo and Juliet." It will be overseen by guest conductor James Gaffigan, who was appointed associate conductor of the San Francisco Symphony in 2006. As for the "Radiohead" program reference, pianist Christopher O'Riley is the musical force behind it.

In fact, O'Riley has a lot to do with the overall diversity of this program. He is the featured soloist for Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand. This jazz-inflected concerto was commissioned in 1929 by Paul Wittgenstein, an Austrian pianist who lost his right arm in World War I.

Not only will O'Riley be playing that left-hand exercise, but he'll also be using both of his hands to play his own solo piano transcriptions of music by the alternative rock band Radiohead.

O'Riley, who is host of National Public Radio's "From the Top," clearly is a classical musician who is eager to connect with listeners across the musical spectrum.

His interest in Radiohead is not just a quirky diversion for a classically trained pianist. Indeed, O'Riley's recording of music by Radiohead, "True Love Waits," got a four-star review from Rolling Stone magazine; and he released a second Radiohead-related CD, "Hold Me to This."

Since receiving his Artist's Diploma from the New England Conservatory of Music, O'Riley has explored classical music periods including the English Renaissance and French Baroque. Besides being firmly grounded in the 19th-century repertory that is standard in the concert hall, he's known for an interest in 20th-century and now 21st-century music.

He plays the music of a modernist giant such as Stravinsky, and also such contemporary composers as Richard Danielpour, Aaron Jay Kernis, John Adams and Michael Torke. His knack for doing transcriptions ranges from Astor Piazzolla tangos to tunes by the British folk singer Nick Drake.

And his collaborations both on stage and in the studio include working with flute player James Galway and cellist Carter Brey.

As if the featured works by Prokofiev, Ravel and Radiohead weren't enough, the upcoming BSO program also includes ballet music from Mozart's 1781 "Idomeneo"; and selections from Bernstein's boisterous musical about sailors on leave in New York City during World War II, "On the Town."

Come to think of it, this BSO program sounds like it'll make for a rocking night on the town.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs Thursday, April 23 at 8 p.m. at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore; Friday, April 24 at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda; and Saturday, April 25 at 8 p.m. at the Meyerhoff. Tickets are $20 to $80. Call 410-783-8000 or go to www.BSOmusic.org.

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