Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was one of the most influential composers of the classical era and remains one of the most prolific composers in history. Despite his short life, Mozart composed more than 800 works of many genres including chamber music, opera, choral repertoire, and pieces for symphonic orchestra. Born in Salzburg, Mozart began his musical journey as a keyboard player and violinist. A musical prodigy, Mozart began composing at age five, touring Europe and made several trips to Italy to perform his music.

The Overture to The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a very lively and exciting piece of music that sets the stage for a funny, dramatic story that includes secrets, surprises and clever tricks! The music begins with a fast and playful melody that lets the audience know that the story they're about to see and hear is full of mischief and comedy. It's full of energy, like the characters in the opera and includes lots of twists and turns, just like the opera's story.

Juventino Rosas (1868-1894) was a Mexican composer and musician, best known for his music inspired by dance, especially mazurkas, polkas and waltzes. His music career began at a young age as a street musician, playing with dance music bands around Mexico City.

Sobre las Olas ("Over the Waves") is an upbeat piece of music often played at celebrations that makes you feel like you're floating on a beautiful ocean wave! The music starts with a joyful and bouncy melody that sounds like the waves rolling in and out, full of energy and movement. This piece is a type of Mexican dance called a "marimba" and takes the listener on a journey across the sea, floating over bouncy waves.

Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881) was only 21 when he first toyed with the subject of this piece, drafting a version for piano and orchestra that has been lost. "It may turn out to be a good thing," he told a fellow composer, Mily Balakirev. He rewrote the piece several times, and what you will hear today is a version for orchestra completed by another Russian composer, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

This tone poem immortalizes Mount Triglav, a "bald mountain" peak near the city of Kiev: the instruments of the orchestra eerily tell the story of a midnight party where many mysterious creatures carouse together. In Mussorgsky's own words, "at the height of the revelry the bell of the village church, sounding in the distance, disperses the spirits of Darkness—Daybreak."

Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) was a Czech composer famous for blending classical music with folk tunes from his home country. He wrote beautiful chamber music, and operas and symphonies, including his most well-known piece, New World Symphony, which was inspired by his time in the rural Midwest of the United States.

Dvorak initially wrote his Suite in A major, also known as the American Suite, for piano in 1894 and the orchestral version was first performed in 1910, seven years after Dvorak's death. In addition to folk songs from his Czech homeland, Dvorak was heavily inspired by his time in the United States and the music he heard here.

The Andante movement of this suite sets a calm and peaceful tone, like a leisurely walk through a beautiful, quiet countryside. The music starts with a soft and flowing melody that sounds like a lullaby and is passed from section to section. This movement truly captures the beauty of America's vast space and natural world.

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was a German composer, organist, pianist, and conductor. One of the most well-known composers of the Romantic period, Mendelssohn's compositions include works for piano, organ, symphonic orchestra, concertos, chamber music, and opera.

Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor is one of the most beloved violin concertos ever written. Composed in 1844, it's known for its beautiful melodies and lively energy. The first movement, Allegro molto appassionato, breaks away from the standard form of starting a concerto with the orchestra and instead has the solo violin immediately take the lead with the powerful and dramatic theme. The movement moves quickly with the violin and orchestra engaging in a dynamic back-and-forth. From soaring melodies to moments of tension, this movement is a thrilling opening to the concerto.

Nia Imani Franklin (b. 1993) is a composer, actress, conductor, and singer who has had her music performed by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Friction Quartet, Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Nia became the Composer in Residence at Festival Napa Valley in 2021, where she premiered several works and was awarded the Darioush and Shahpar Khaledi Prize for Excellence and Innovation in Classical Music. After concluding her Lincoln Center fellowship in New York City, she earned the jobs of Miss New York 2018 and Miss America 2019.

A chrysalis is what helps turn a caterpillar into a butterfly; it's the transitional phase when the caterpillar gets wrapped inside a protective case and is given the time and space to become a butterfly. In my piece, the music sort of wraps around itself like a chrysalis, and you will hear musical ideas repeated and woven throughout. The music builds steadily to a big arrival near the end of the piece, and in this way it is reminiscent of the life cycle of a butterfly. Sometimes it takes a little longer to reach one's full potential -- and that is okay! I dedicate this piece to young composers everywhere.

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was an American composer, conductor and pianist best known for his American style music, mixing sounds of jazz, classical and big band music. He served as the music director of the New York Philharmonic from 1959-1969 where he conducted 53 Young People's Concerts, broadcasting them on CBS Television to young viewers all over the country. As a composer, Leonard Bernstein took inspiration from many different styles of music and mixed them together to create his own unique symphonic sound. He is best known as a composer for writing the music to West Side Story and Candide.

Leonard Bernstein's Overture to Candide is a thrilling fast-paced piece that brings the story of Candide to life, preparing the audience for the story that's about to unfold. The music starts with a big, bright burst of sound, bouncing from one lively theme to another and setting the stage for the colorful adventures of the characters in the story. The Overture is a perfect introduction to the fun, dramatic world of Candide.