Elgar’s Cello Concerto & Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5

Lose yourself in Elgar’s dark yet lyrical Cello Concerto. Written in the aftermath of World War I, this melancholy piece will break your heart and leave you breathless—an “autumnal” meditation to welcome fall. We open with the emotionally charged Medea’s Dance of Vengeance by Barber. Concluding our Masterworks opening night is Prokofiev’s profound and triumphant Fifth Symphony—“a hymn to the free and happy man, to his mighty powers, his pure and noble spirit.” Known as his “victory” symphony, it was composed in just one month amid the turmoil of World War II. Soaring contrasts emerge throughout, heard in the colorful woodwinds, prominent percussion, and ever-onward interplay of delicate and tumultuous themes. Drawn to music that feels personal and vulnerable, Principal Guest Conductor Delyana Lazarova brings passionate and heartfelt interpretation to each work.