Daniel Raiskin, conductor

Alexei Volodin, piano

Samy Moussa: Elysium

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1

Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 4

The WSO's season begins in spectacular fashion. Blending melody and emotion with technical wizardry, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 is the most popular piano concerto of all time. No one wears their heart on the sleeve like Tchaikovsky; each bar is on fire with emotional chaos, honesty, turmoil, and jubilation.

At the keyboard is returning guest artist Alexei Volodin. This time round, Volodin tackles the first Tchaikovsky concerto at the season opener before presenting the less famous second at the WSO's first Sunday matinée.

Also on the program is the final formal symphonic composition by Johannes Brahms — a composer who struggled with the pressures of writing a first symphony. This last work presents an assured composer writing with clear, powerful emotion that is compelling and complex.

The evening begins with a work inspired by the everlasting paradise of the ancient Greeks. Penned by Canadian Samy Mousa, Elysium is a monumental work that has become his musical calling card.