Symphonic dances

Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina, who celebrated her ninetieth birthday last year, is unafraid to imbue her works with philosophical and religious meaning and often tackles the biggest questions in human existence through her music. Among her most recent masterpieces is her Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Bayan (a Russian chromatic button accordion), which she wrote in 2017 for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The piece was extremely well received, and critics were unanimous in their opinion that it was one of Gubaidulina's most remarkable compositions. The number three plays a key role in the piece, as it is inspired by the Holy Trinity.

Latvian violinist Baiba Skride has performed with the ISO on two previous occasions, both times with outstanding results. Dutch cellist Harriet Krijgh, a conservatory professor in Vienna, has performed with many of the world's most renowned orchestras. 

Sergei Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances, his last completed work, show clearly how this iconic composer of piano music had mastered orchestral writing and arranging as well. As in many of his other works, the music is reminiscent of the past, and although the Late Romantic flavour of the piece was not to everyone's liking when it was premiered in 1941, the Symphonic Dances have long been considered among Rachmaninoff's best orchestral compositions. 

Páll Ragnar Pálsson pursued advanced studies in composition in Estonia. His Yfirráðandi kyrrð (Supremacy of Peace) for strings was very well received at its premiere by the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and was subsequently nominated for the international Rostrum prize.