Jonathon Heyward, conductor

Bela Bartók's 1943 Concerto for Orchestra was his final completed composition and remains his best known work. Financially broken, pining for his home and desperately unwell, Bartók mustered the last of his strength to create an audaciously vibrant piece, which patiently and methodically throws a spotlight on every instrument in the orchestra. A still-audible openness to the influence of popular music and a resounding clarity of narrative have made the Concerto a timeless point of access for orchestral newcomers. Bartók's work is presented by one of the classical world's most respected ensembles and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural institutions: the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO). Led by their music director Jonathon Heyward, the BSO is internationally renowned and locally admired for its performances, recordings and community and educational initiatives.