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When Antonin Dvorak received a state stipend allowing him to compose full-time, music poured from him including his lovely String Serenade Op. 22. We’ll hear the original version of the serenade, contrasted with a compelling arrangement for winds and strings that’s inspired by a prior version of the serenade Dvorak then later scored for strings. It’s a fascinating comparison.

This week, you'll hear the Kansas City Symphony, Symphony Chorus and violin superstar Joshua Bell perform the music of Johannes Brahms. As the featured soloist, Bell adds his own original cadenza to Brahms' one and only violin concerto. Plus, soprano Layla Claire and baritone Christopher Feigum join the Kansas City Symphony and Symphony Chorus for a performance Brahms' "German Requiem." Co-hosts Michael Stern and Dan Margolies explore the composer's process for each work.

Sometimes, less is more. That’s definitely the case with the incredible octets by Felix Mendelssohn and Ludwig van Beethoven on this week’s show. One was composed at age 16 and it’s a work of genius that still amazes scholars, musicians, and audiences.

Mozart’s music has been adapted in myriad ways – in his lifetime and to this day. We’ll hear two exquisite chamber works in different, but effective instrumentations that Mozart would probably have found intriguing.

In the continuing series of “Surprise Symphonies,” we have marvelous works by 20th century American composers Ned Rorem and William Schuman – both of which are titled Symphony No. 3. Rorem and Schuman helped to define the American sound in classical music and we’ll hear their genius on full display.

Violinist Maria Ioudenitch grew up around Kansas City, and is part of a very musical family — her parents are world-renowned pianists and educators. Now, she's balancing the rollout of her debut album, "Songbird," with the an international touring calendar.

The SLSO and St. Louis Dance Theatre come together in an adventurous collaboration to imagine Igor Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite in an entirely new way. Ballet music from Claude Debussy and Albert Roussel complete a program that celebrates partnerships between dance and music.

Music for strings is often associated with heartfelt emotion, and for good reason. We’ve heard it in movies, television and anytime the drama requires a special tug at our heartstrings. We have gorgeous music by Richard Strauss, Anton Bruckner and a familiar work with a mysterious past.

Among Christoph von Dohnányi’s many posts over his long career, his 18 years as Music Director of the Cleveland Orchestra was remarkable. He took this great orchestra to new heights, expanded its repertoire, and took it around the world. In this final show remembering him, we’ll hear studio and live recordings from his time in Cleveland – a tribute to his musical leadership.

The Polonaise is a Polish rustic dance dating back to the 16th century. It’s one of Poland’s national dances, and has inspired composers for centuries. We’ll hear Polonaises by six different composers, especially the great Frédéric Chopin who mastered the form.