Many concert:nova musicians also play in the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. The CSO will embark on the second year of a two-year Brahms Festival in 2016-17. Taking inspiration from the Festival, we would like to explore the side of the composers Johannes Brahms that became fascinated with Antonin Dvorak and the music of Czechoslovakia. The idea is rooted in the significance of Brahms’ relationship with Dvorak, which we hope to explore in presenting their Serenades. It is a story that can deepen our appreciation for Brahms as we celebrate him. Director Stefani Collins Matsuo says, “Later in his life, Brahms discovered Dvorak, and immediately admired his work for Dvorak’s combination of compositional prowess and implementation of Czech folk melodies. This pairing of Brahms and Dvorak will demonstrate both composers abilities to use folk-like melodies and create classical masterpieces”.