Jaap van Zweden & Vadim Gluzman

Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony is the orchestral equivalent of a binge-watch drama, with each movement drawing you into the next, bursting with yearning, nostalgia and soaring climaxes. Prokofiev’s Second Violin Concerto captures the chapters in which he concluded his years as an expat and returned to the Soviet Union. Chicago favorite Vadim Gluzman takes on its kaleidoscopic solo part. Julia Wolfe’s new work takes inspiration from the iconic bell that has long stood as a symbol of freedom and perseverance.

Three reasons why you should get your tickets today

• Discover New Music: The Liberty Bell has not rung since 1846, but Julia Wolfe’s Liberty Bell imagines what America’s most famous bell might sound like today. Performed by more than 100 musicians, this work fills Orchestra Hall with the energy, struggle and optimism that define the pursuit of freedom.
• Vadim Gluzman Plays Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2: From its haunting solo violin opening to its thrilling finale, Prokofiev’s concerto takes listeners on a musical journey. Influenced in part by Tchaikovsky, a composer Prokofiev admired from an early age, this work comes to life through Vadim Gluzman’s passionate performance on stage.
• Experience Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 2: After the harsh criticism of his First Symphony, Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony was almost never written. He took a three-year hiatus from composing where he even went through hypnotic therapy.  Today, his Second Symphony lives on as a staple of the classical music repertoire. Experience the grandeur of this epic work and listen for soulful melodies from the clarinet and violin in the third movement.