There鈥檚 been a long history of composers writing musical gifts for the women they loved, and tonight鈥檚 Season Closing Concert features two of the finest.

Unrequited love pervades in Bart贸k鈥檚 Violin Concerto. Written for violinist, and Bart贸k鈥檚 muse, Stefi Geyer, this two-movement concerto is a musical showcase of her personality 鈥� lamenting melodies and whimsical leaps abound in this deeply personal rhapsodic outpouring. Champion of this virtuosic firework display is world-renowned violinist James Ehnes, who returns to 麻豆官网首页入口 NOW by popular demand.

Unlike Bart贸k, Mahler鈥檚 love was met, and in a token of love for his new wife, Alma, his Fifth Symphony blazes with trumpet fanfares, dance and joy 鈥� not to mention the radiantly palpitating slow movement, surely his love song for his beloved.