The sumptuous themes of a Russian Romantic unite with rock-infused saxophone riffs in our stirring season opener. Rachmaninoff's supremely melodic Symphony No. 2 returns after Jayce Ogren made his brilliant Monterey Symphony debut with it in the spring of 2022. Trailblazing saxophonist Timothy McAllister also returns for the world premiere of a concerto called Anemology by GRAMMY-winning American composer Steven Mackey (whose Turn The Key we heard in Jayce's debut season). Born from his background as a rock guitarist, Mackey's music spins improvisatory motifs into large-scale works both grooving and dramatic. The concert opens with a moving arrangement of The Star-Spangled Banner by Italian-American composer Luigi Zaninelli.