A Breath of Fresh Air

featuring Julie Coucheron, piano | Vinay Parameswaran, conductor

Shake off the January chill and escape into a soundscape of renewal and light. As winter settles over Kansas, the Symphony offers a musical sanctuary featuring guest conductor Vinay Parameswaran and the radiant virtuosity of pianist Julie Coucheron. The program opens with the festive, rhythmic energy of Vivian Fung’s Parade, a work that captures the spirit of a community coming to life. The atmosphere builds with Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1, a masterpiece of breathless momentum and shimmering melodic grace that showcases Coucheron’s "compelling musicianship." Finally, wander through a sun-drenched landscape with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, "Pastoral." From the gentle murmur of a brook to the triumphant calm after a summer storm, this beloved symphony serves as a vibrant bridge to spring—a profound reminder of the warmth and beauty of the natural world.

VIVIAN FUNG Parade 
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral”