Jun Märkl, Arabella Steinbacher & NSO

Rimsky-Korsakov's May Night, an operetta adapted from Gogol's myth-tinged novella, opens with a prelude that instantly evokes a dreamy, romantic atmosphere, captivating audiences from the very first note. Sharing the spotlight is Brahms’s sole Violin Concerto, a work that transcends the traditional concerto form by blending the grandeur of a symphony with the intimacy of chamber music. Arabella Steinbacher, laureate of the Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition Hannover, guides listeners through the concerto's rich layers and enduring charm, revealing its subtle, mature beauty.

Schumann's Symphony No. 1, inspired by the poetry of Adolf Böttger, celebrates the arrival of spring. Using a blend of imagery and concrete musical gestures, Schumann depicts the awakening of nature in all its vibrancy. Under the sensitive interpretation of Music Director Jun Märkl, audiences will not only be enthralled by the music, but transported into the very heart of Schumann’s springtime vision.