Sibelius, Higdon, and Bartók

Program Highlights

Cellist Julian Schwarz, featured on Jennifer Higdon’s Cello Concerto

American Connections

All three works were premiered in the United States, a fitting nod as the nation marks its 250th anniversary and reflects on artistic ties across continents and generations.

Northern California Premiere: Jennifer Higdon’s Cello Concerto

This performance marks the Northern California premiere of American Composer Jennifer Higdon’s Cello Concerto, written for and performed by American Cellist Julian Schwarz.

Sibelius’s The Oceanides

Jean Sibelius composed The Oceanides on his only trip to America, where it was praised as “the finest evocation of the sea.”

Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra

Béla Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra showcases the full ensemble, with each section treated in a soloistic and virtuosic manner. The work highlights the orchestra itself across all five movements.

Dynamic Musical Arc

From Sibelius’s ocean-inspired soundscape to Higdon’s contemporary voice and Bartók’s energetic finale, this concert unfolds as a continuous journey through orchestral storytelling.