David Bratman

The new piece, written for Emanuel Ax, is bookended by two familiar staples.

And they’re mostly for the better, judging by the orchestra’s opening program under guest conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya.

Proving that contemporary composition isn’t unapproachable, the “Chamber Music Now” concert has dancing, comedy, and lots of good music.

Forgoing the thornier styles of modernist composition, the festival came up with a delightful and intriguing set list.

The second week of the chamber music festival brings well-played performances of heavy hitters from Brahms to Elgar.

Miranda Liu is marvelous in Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1, while Ravel’s Boléro provides a colorful finale.

With the indefatigable Sarah Cahill at the keyboard and Artistic Director Donato Cabrera on the podium, the new concerto was in good hands.

Arturo Márquez’s violin concerto was the centerpiece of a concert conducted by the Tucson Symphony’s José Luis Gómez.

Founding Music Director Emily Ray’s last subscription concert with the ensemble is a courageous and enjoyable affair.

The orchestra and director Donato Cabrera brilliantly interpret pieces that would have been intimately familiar to the composer.