Work: Variations on a theme by Tchaikovsky, Op.35a

JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic's string players present intense Shostakovich and luminous Arensky in memorable performances.

Julian Bliss' stunning playing of Weber Second Clarinet Concerto and Vasily Petrenko's conducting of the RLPO in Haydn made for an uplifting concert.

If Russian-born pianist Kirill Gerstein were to launch into orbit, he would far outdistance the Soyuz Space Station.