Menacing timpani rolls set the tone for Rossini's solemn Overture to Semiramide, a deceivingly upbeat narration of family rivalries. Bartók's Dance Suite—featuring five original Hungarian folk soundscapes composed for the 50th anniversary of the merger of Buda and Pest—offers a vibrant musical journey. Chopin's poetic Piano Concerto No. 1 stands as a sparkling showcase of virtuosity.

The spirited orchestration of Gould's Cowboy Rhapsody, filled with yodels and cowboy calls, is complemented by two works by Behzad Ranjbaran. Concertmaster Nikki Chooi masterfully leads Beethoven's monumental Violin Concerto in D major, celebrated for its improvised cadenzas.

Britten's mysterious and moving Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes powerfully interpret an outcast fisherman's tragic end amid turbulent seas. Buffalo-born Robert Paterson's colorful Triple Concerto compellingly examines Earth's fragility, while Beethoven's gentle Sixth Symphony portrays a charming countryside turn, evoking deep relaxation and contemtment.