What You'll Hear

Under the baton of Maestro Ken Selden, The Love of Music celebrates the brilliance, charm, and expressive range of the wind and brass repertoire, performed by the outstanding musicians of VSO Winds and Brass.

The program opens with the sparkling Overture to The Barber of Seville by Rossini, presented in a lively arrangement by Sedlak, a whirlwind of wit, energy, and irresistible melody. Gounod’s Petite Symphonie follows, a jewel of French Romanticism that blends elegance, warmth, and lyrical grace.

After intermission, the music turns to the rich sonorities of the German Romantic tradition. Richard Strauss’s Serenade offers radiant lyricism and youthful exuberance, showcasing the glowing blend of winds and brass. The evening concludes with Louis Spohr’s Nonet, a masterwork of expressive depth and virtuosic interplay that brings the concert to a powerful and satisfying close.

The Love of Music promises an evening of beauty, passion, and inspired ensemble playing—an unforgettable celebration of the artistry of wind and brass music.

The 2025/26 Nien-Wei Hsiao Chamber Music Series is presented by OPB.