Few works announce themselves with the visceral impact of Elgar’s Cello Concerto. From its arresting opening notes, this iconic score speaks with a voice of searing honesty. Composed in the aftermath of World War I, it is widely regarded as one of the great masterpieces of the early 20th century as Elgar sheds the pomp of his earlier work in favor of introspection and quiet anguish, reflecting the recent loss of his wife and his post-war disillusionment. In the expressive hands of Johannes Moser and led by Music Director Peter Oundjian, the concerto’s lyricism and emotional vulnerability will resonate with seasoned audiences and newcomers alike.
The concerto is framed by music of restless motion as Vivian Fung’s Dust Devils sweeps listeners into a world of kinetic energy and swirling momentum, with vivid textures evoking the raw power of nature and the thrill of constant movement. The sense of urgency carries forward into Dvořák’s Seventh Symphony, a work of dark intensity and dramatic sweep. Considered by many to be his greatest symphony, the Seventh channels Dvořák’s inner conflict and nationalist longing into a gripping symphonic statement you will need to see to believe.