Mozart with Grand Rapids Symphony and Grieg

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), born in Salzburg, Austria, was a classical child prodigy. He composed over 600 masterpieces across genres like opera, symphony, and chamber music. Known for his elegant, balanced style, his famous works include "The Marriage of Figaro," "Don Giovanni," "The Magic Flute," and Symphony No. 40. He is considered one of Western music's greatest composers.

The Grand Rapids Symphony, founded in 1930 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a leading regional orchestra. It is known for its musical excellence, diverse programming spanning classical to contemporary, and extensive community engagement. The symphony earned a Grammy nomination for "Invention and Alchemy" in 2006. It also collaborates with Opera Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Ballet.

Edvard Hagerup Grieg was a Norwegian composer and pianist. He is widely considered one of the leading Romantic era composers, and his music is part of the standard classical repertoire worldwide. Born in Bergen in 1843, he was taught piano by his mother and later studied at the Leipzig Conservatory. His use of traditional Norwegian folk music in his own compositions brought the music of Norway to international fame and helped develop a national cultural identity. His most celebrated works include the incidental music to Peer Gynt, the Piano Concerto in A Minor, and his ten collections of Lyric Pieces for solo piano.