BCO’s principal cellist, Dr. Andrew Burgdorf, and violinist, Ms. Erika Blanco, will take the stage in a performance of Brahms Double Concerto for Violin and Cello. Written as a peace offering to an estranged friend and colleague, Brahms created a wonderful masterpiece that showcases the cello and violin uniquely intertwined with the orchestra. Brahms explores fully the colors and beauty of the violin and cello individually and collectively with the orchestra, moving the listener through different musical scenes and emotions.

Opening Night! will also feature BCO soloist Yvonne Rammel in a performance of Adagio non troppo, the second movement of the Mozart Flute Concerto in G. A prolific artist, Austrian composer Wolfgang A. Mozart created a string of operas, concertos, symphonies and sonatas that profoundly shaped classical music. While initially not recognized as a fan of the flute, Mozart wrote one of his most famous operas, The Magic Flute, highlighting the instrument as well as this flute concerto that is a standard in flute repertoire.

The concert will close with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. This symphony is filled with extreme musical contrasts and shocking climaxes that will take the audience on a musical journey they won’t soon forget. From the opening movement exploring fate and darkness, to the finale that closes the symphony with a triumphant breakthrough, ending in a frenzied, joyful abandon and a great climax that tricks many listeners into thinking the performance is complete long before the final note.