St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Dvořák’s New World – American Sounds

The accordion takes center stage in this program. Hanzhi Wang has made it her goal to spread word of her novel solo instrument across the globe. She brings imagination and freedom to the premiere of Nina Shekhar’s new concerto. Barber’s teenaged School for Scandal Overture fizzes with energy. Dvořák’s beloved “New World” symphony searches for the musical soul of America.

A few things to know:

• Born in China, Hanzhi Wang came to America in 2017 as the first accordionist to win Young Concert Artists. A proud ambassador for her unsung instrument, Hanzhi considers herself “a communicative musician. I really try to project the music into every single audience as much as I can. I hope that people will have a lot of imagination during my performances.”
• Nina Shekhar’s music, she says, “explores the intersection of identity, vulnerability, love, and laughter.” After one recent concert, The Chicago Tribune said Shekhar is “one of those rare composers who opens my ears a little wider each time I hear her music. [Her music is] lucid and—indeed luminous.”

Daniela Candillari is among the most thoughtful of conductors. Recognized for her “powerful and breathtaking performances” (Review STL), she is both Principal Conductor at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and Principal Opera Conductor at Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara