Cross-border collaboration comes to Kleinhans when Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear returns to perform Beethoven's heroic "Emperor" Piano Concerto No. 5 under the baton of conductor David Lockington, while Prayer by JUNO Award-winner Vivian Fung is an affirmation of faith. The Second Symphony of Sibelius is fierce and triumphant, itself a source of Finnish pride.

The highly anticipated total solar eclipse on Buffalo's horizon illuminates the program selection of two contemporary composers to complement Holst's dazzling interpretation of the cosmos, The Planets. Nina Shekhar's haunting Lumina explores the concept of lightness and dark, while The Universe in Ecstatic Motion by Christopher Theofanidis is a showcase for pre-eminent flutist, Marina Piccinini.