Dvořák & Brahms

Young American violinist Aubree Oliverson brings her flair, passion, and artistry back to the Columbus Symphony to perform Dvořák’s virtuosic Violin Concerto — a work the composer initially feared was “too difficult,” but which has become a cornerstone of the repertoire, showcasing breathtaking technical fireworks alongside moments of tender lyricism. The evening continues with Brahms’s radiant Second Symphony, composed during an idyllic summer retreat and brimming with natural beauty. Often compared to Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony, it weaves together warmth, nostalgia, and pure joy before erupting in a jubilant finale. The concert opens with William Grant Still’s charming and heartfelt Serenade, a gem by the pioneering African American composer.