Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8 was dedicated “to the victims of fascism and the war.” It’s likely a very autobiographical work that features a musical monogram, a means by which Shostakovich inserted his own voice into the musical narrative in a very under-the-radar way. The story is that, upon hearing it played for the first time by the Borodin Quartet, he buried his head in his hands and wept. In contrast, Mozart’s sunny String Quartet K. 465, nicknamed the “Dissonance” for its famous opening, moves quickly from darkness into light and remains there.

Cellist Alisa Weilerstein “is a throwback to an earlier age of classical performers . . . she inhabits a piece fully and turns it to her own ends” (New York Times). For this performance she’ll tackle Schumann’s cello concerto, a piece in which “the romantic quality, the vivacity, the freshness and humor…are indeed wholly ravishing.” This review came from Clara Schumann, who would have known. The program opens with Jennifer Higdon’s beautiful blue cathedral, a piece she wrote in memory of her younger brother, incorporating references to their life together.

The Villalobos Brothers join the Festival Orchestra for an evening of Latin-inspired music. Acclaimed as one of today’s leading Contemporary Mexican ensembles, the trio of violinists, singer-songwriters, and composers have performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and at the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations. Their original compositions fuse and celebrate the richness of Mexican folk music with the intricate harmonies of jazz and classical music. Following the concert with the Festival Orchestra, they’ll move to the lawn, lay down some backtracks, and lead a dance party to Afro-Colombian beats.

Home to some of the most popular and recognizable tunes in classical music, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 was an instant success and remains one of the most performed orchestra pieces today. Reviewing Joyce Yang’s performance, one critic noted that she “brought forth from the audience as visceral and sustained a standing ovation as I’ve heard in response to a concerto.” Don’t miss this concert, which opens with the orchestra’s performance of Bedrich Smetana’s symphonic poem, The Moldau, which depicts the journey of that river in his Bohemian homeland.