TBSO marks 50 years since Stravinsky passed away in New York. One of the most important composers of the 20th century, Stravinsky’s Concerto for Strings displays his immaculate neoclassical writing – it’s a study in contrasts from gritty to graceful.

Pēteris Vasks’ Lonely Angel is a song-like meditation for violin and string orchestra featuring TBSO Principal Second Violin Chris Stork. For the title, Vasks had in mind the image of an angel flying over the world, looking at the world’s condition with grieving eyes and bringing beautiful music of comfort and healing.

Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony No. 6 is a masterpiece that explores the power of nature to heal and restore the human spirit in 5 vignettes: arriving in the countryside, a scene by a brook, a gathering of country people, the famous thunderstorm and ending with thankfulness.