The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra welcomes back Jerry Hou, the ASO's former Resident Conductor, and violinist Jennifer Koh in a program of late Romantic to contemporary works, including a world premiere from composer Nicky Sohn, on Thursday and Friday, April 9 and 10, at 8pm at Atlanta Symphony Hall.

Jerry Hou, a celebrated interpreter of contemporary music, kicks off the program with the world premiere of A Tale of the Bunny and the Turtle from Nicky Sohn, winner of the 2024 Rapido!® Take Seven Contest. Sohn, acclaimed for her "colorful orchestration" (NewsBrite), reimagines a popular Korean folktale of a turtle’s quest to heal an ailing Dragon King and a rabbit’s wit through a jazz-inspired, rhythmic backdrop.

Joining the orchestra for the next work is violinist Jennifer Koh, described as, "a risk-taking, high-octane player...who grabs the listener by the ears and refuses to let go," (The Strad) and "one of the most important violinists..." (The New York Times). She interprets Philip Glass' virtuosic and lyrical Violin Concerto No. 1. A frequent collaborator with the composer, Koh told Strings Magazine that when performing this concerto, "You really have to think about how to shape every single note, and how to create a whole world in one phrase."

The Orchestra ends on a high with Rachmaninoff's heroically intense First Symphony. Rachmaninoff, "the last of the Romantics," takes the Orchestra and audience on a four-movement journey through "Dies Irae" plainchant, lyrical yearning, Russian dance, and more.