This opening concert of the Ovation Series showcases one of the greatest young cellists of our time—Alisa Weilerstein. The New York Times said Weilerstein’s playing displays “an ecstasy and a generosity that lift performance into a realm of pure happiness.”

Brahms worked for 20 years on his First Symphony—the shadow cast by Beethoven’s symphonic masterpieces intimidated him. Many have remarked about the “strong family relationship” of Brahms’s main theme in the finale and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony finale and some have called the work “Beethoven’s Tenth.” Regardless of its relationship with Beethoven, this symphony is revered as one of the great masterpieces of the genre and part of a series opener not to be missed!