Sibelius Symphony No. 2

This program brings together music driven by momentum, drama, and emotional release, culminating in Jean Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2, a work celebrated for its sweeping energy and triumphant conclusion. Each piece on the program builds toward a sense of motion and intensity, creating a concert that feels both expansive and deeply engaging.

The evening opens with Le chasseur maudit by César Franck, a vivid and fast-moving tone poem inspired by legend, filled with urgency and dramatic contrast. Michael Daugherty’s Raise the Roof features a rare timpani solo by Louisville Orchestra Principal Timpanist Chris Choi, marking the solo debut of the orchestra’s new timpani. Bold, rhythmic, and exhilarating, the piece highlights the power, range, and expressive possibilities of the instrument.

The program concludes with Symphony No. 2 by Jean Sibelius, a symphony often associated with optimism and renewal. From its restless opening to its soaring final moments, the music unfolds as a journey from tension toward release, rewarding listeners with one of the most stirring endings in the symphonic repertoire.

Led by Earl Lee, this concert offers moments of individual spotlight alongside the full force of the orchestra, inviting audiences to experience music that grows, transforms, and transcends.