Sit back, relax, and join the Richmond Symphony to explore the world of classical music with our new Casual Fridays series. These 60 minute concerts start at 6:30 and showcase great works from the classical repertoire. Your host and conductor will provide a deeper look into the evening’s work. After the performance, audience members will be invited to join the Richmond Symphony for a post-concert happy-hour at Vagabond. Concerts will be held in the Carpenter Theatre. Buy a Casual Fridays Subscription today and save!

This four-movement piece by the renowned Finnish composer has turned heads due to more than just its dramatic finale—many believe it was written as a call for Finland’s independence from Russia. Even though Sibelius himself never confirmed that, the symphony still has become so connected with the country’s struggle for independence that it is sometimes called the “Symphony of Independence.”

Program Notes