UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra will present a wide-ranging and resonant program at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, in Eisenhower Auditorium. Led by conductors Gerardo Edelstein, Javier Gorelik and Dor Gidon Amran, the concert will bring together orchestral masterworks, a world premiere by a Penn State alumnus, and a powerful choral-orchestral statement rooted in historical memory.
The program features Ziyi Ji, piano, co-winner of the 2026 Orchestras Concerto Competition, as soloist in Johannes Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major. One of the most beloved concertos in the repertoire, the work showcases both virtuosity and lyrical depth.
The concert opens with Alberto Ginastera’s Overture to the Creole “Faust,” a rhythmically charged work that reflects the composer’s Argentine heritage. Drawing on folk elements and dramatic flair, the overture sets an energetic tone for the afternoon.
A highlight of the program is the world premiere of Pockets and Spaces by Penn State alumnus Gabriel Newvine. The new work adds a contemporary voice to the concert, reflecting the School of Music’s ongoing commitment to supporting living composers and the successes of School of Music alumni.
Arnold Schoenberg’s "A Survivor from Warsaw" anchors the program’s most reflective moment. Featuring Ted Christopher as narrator and members of the Penn State Concert Choir and Glee Club conducted by Christopher Kiver, the work is a gripping musical testament to remembrance and resilience. Schoenberg’s score combines narration, chorus and orchestra to confront the horrors of the Holocaust with stark emotional power.
The afternoon concludes with Jean Sibelius’ "Finlandia," a stirring symphonic poem that has become synonymous with national identity and hope, bringing a resonant close to the concert.
Tickets for the performance are available here.
This event will be available via livestream for those unable to attend in person.