From electrifying Latin rhythms to searing lyricism and monumental symphonic drama, Passion and Power showcases the orchestra at its most expressive.

Program

Arturo Márquez – Danzón No. 2
One of the most beloved orchestral works of the late 20th century, Danzón No. 2 blends traditional Mexican dance rhythms with lush symphonic color. Seductive, playful, and explosive by turns, the piece builds from intimate gestures to a thrilling, full-orchestra climax.

Sergei Prokofiev – Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 63
Written during Prokofiev’s travels across Europe, this concerto balances biting modernism with haunting lyricism. Featuring bold rhythms, sardonic wit, and a radiant central melody, the work highlights the violin as both a fiery virtuoso and a deeply expressive voice. Violinist Ava Pakiam brings brilliance and emotional depth to this striking concerto.

Johannes Brahms – Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98
Brahms’ final symphony is a towering masterpiece of passion and intellectual rigor. From its aching opening theme to the unforgettable passacaglia finale, the Fourth Symphony fuses classical structure with profound emotional weight, culminating in one of the most powerful conclusions in all of symphonic music.

“A rising star” – San Francisco Classical Voice, Ava Pakiam is a fifteen-year-old violinist studying at the Pre College of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Ava was admitted into the Pre College program at age seven and is currently a student of Simon James. Ava made her solo debut at eight years old in California with the Fremont Symphony. Later that summer, she performed Vivaldi’s Winter Concerto with the Sempre Musik Orchestra and the New York Sinfonietta in Boston and New York City, making her solo debut at Carnegie Hall. In the Fall of 2021, Ava competed at age eleven in the Seattle Young Artists Auditions. Ava was named the Seattle Symphony Young Artist for the 2021-2022 season and performed as soloist with the Seattle Symphony playing Saint-Saëns Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. Last season, Ava performed the Brahms, Bruch and Tchaikovsky concerti on both coasts as well as a solo tour with orchestras in Mexico and Honduras. She performs on an 1874 J.B. Vuillaume violin.