Vadim Gluzman with the VSO

One of the planet’s greatest and most accomplished violinists, Vadim Gluzman makes his much-anticipated return to perform Shostakovich’s dark and complex second violin concerto. Often overshadowed by its big brother, the first concerto, Shostakovich’s second work for violin and orchestra shares much of the same complexity, darkness and angst as the first violin concerto, though not as much overtly virtuosic writing, opting for an introspective though still intense tone.

Music Director Designate Maestro Otto Tausk presides his first concert since being named the next VSO Music Director, in a performance that includes the expressive and lyrical first symphony of Jean Sibelius. Though maybe not as developed and complex as later works, Sibelius’s First Symphony was still a stunning and revolutionary achievement, showing many of his Nationalist characteristics and symphonic descriptions of his homeland.