Prokofiev & Brahms

Kick off the Nightlites series with a bold, high-contrast program that moves seamlessly from 20th-century edge to lush Romanticism. Conducted by Ziwei Ma, the evening opens with Sergei Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, performed by Louisville Orchestra Associate Concertmaster Julia Noone. Known for its driving rhythms, lean textures, and unexpected lyricism, the concerto is both direct and emotionally charged. The program continues with Johannes Brahms’s Symphony No. 2, a work often described as his most relaxed and luminous, filled with sweeping melodies, pastoral calm, and an exuberant final movement. Together, these works create a dynamic and approachable Friday night concert that balances intensity, beauty, and momentum.