These Russian-born composers charted routes of resistance and freedom that still resonate today. Tchaikovsky, secretly gay and openly enraptured with the music of the West, poured his love and anguish into the Violin Concerto that mixed Russian intensity into the impeccable traditions of the Classical masters. Stravinsky, untested and overlooked in his home country, astonished the crowds in Paris with his supernatural ballet based on the Russian fairy tales of the Firebird. Lera Auerbach, who defected from the Soviet Union as a teenage prodigy, has matured into an experienced talent who pulls no punches.

The December 2 concert is a part of the Casual Conversations series. Please note: the program does not have an intermission.

Artists
Jonathon Heyward, conductor
Simone Lamsma, violin

Repertoire
TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto
LERA AUERBACH Icarus
STRAVINSKY Firebird Suite (1919)

Casual Conversations | SAT, DEC 2 MEYERHOFF Purchase dinner pre-concert in the Main Lobby from Baltimore vendors Korarima (vegan Ethiopian), Emmanuella's Cuisine and Codetta Bakery, before enjoying the BSO's first Casual Conversation of the season.

Music Director Jonathon Heyward will be joined on stage during the program by WYPR's Midday host, Tom Hall, to reflect and discuss the evening's program together.

Full Circle Dance Company will be performing in the Main Lobby post-concert, re-interpreting aspects of the evening's program into dance.