Join Carlos Izcaray, acclaimed cellist Julian Schwarz, and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for Heart of a New World — an evening that celebrates American creativity and spirit through three distinctive works.

The concert opens with Samuel Barber’s Overture to The School for Scandal, a vibrant piece that crackles with wit and energy. Its rhythmic drive and melodic brightness capture Barber’s distinctive American voice at its most engaging.

Cellist Julian Schwarz then performs Jennifer Higdon’s Cello Concerto, a Pulitzer Prize-winning work by one of today’s most celebrated composers. Higdon creates a sound world that’s both lyrical and intensely expressive, offering the soloist opportunities for both technical brilliance and deep emotional connection.

The evening closes with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor, “From the New World.” Composed during his years in America, this symphony weaves together Czech folk traditions with the musical landscapes Dvořák discovered here. The result is music that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking — a work about exploration, inspiration, and finding home in unfamiliar territory.

This is a night that brings together past and present, celebrating what happens when artists embrace new horizons. We look forward to seeing you there.