Opening with Alexander Nevsky by Sergei Prokofiev, this powerful and awe inspiring work written for the 1938 Sergei Eisenstein film by the same name tells the story of Grand Prince of Novgorod and Vladimir through one of the most unstable times in the city's history. Proclaimed the "Saint"of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1547, Alexander Nevsky's portrayal by Prokofiev is ominous with robust orchestration exploring the themes of love, treason and common people united by the hero.

Also on the program is Stravinsky's colorful 1919 version of the Firebird Suite, known for the technical demand on most wind players and includes an achingly longing bassoon solo in the Berceuse movement followed by a triumphant French horn call in the Finale.