The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra presents a concert of international virtuosity and storytelling as guest conductor Pietari Inkinen leads Sibelius' Finlandia and Second Symphony with decorated violinist Sergey Khachatryan performing Khachaturian's Violin Concerto on December 4 and 6 at Symphony Hall.

Finnish conductor Pietari Inkinen, who "conducts with clarity and such vitality..." (Stuttgarter Nachrichten), brings a deep understanding of his countryman's music, having recorded every Sibelius symphony while at the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Inkinen conducts Sibelius' love letter to his homeland, Finlandia, paired with his Symphony No. 2, a patriotic piece that once carried the torch for Finnish independence from Russia.

In between, Khachaturian's Violin Concerto is performed Armenian violinist Sergey Khachatryan, described as having "impeccable technique, who can absorb, develop, and intensify the ideas coming from the podium with refined sensitivity" (L ape musicale). Influenced by Armenian folk melodies and a six-month trek collecting songs through Armenia, Khachatryan adds feverish virtuosity to this improvisatory concerto.