Globally renowned cellist Alisa Weilerstein joins BBC NOW in this season closing concert. Melodic genius, irrepressible energy and a love of his native folk music radiate in Dvořák’s virtuosic and highly regarded cello concerto. Intuitive musical invention, rich orchestration and floating, contemplative, other-worldly atmospheres unfurl in Higdon’s expertly crafted Blue Cathedral – a sonic journey through a sacred space and upwards to heaven. Oozing a sensuousness and directness of melody, Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony found its inspiration in the “negro folk music” he had learned as a small child. This expertly crafted and highly emotionally charged symphony is pure genius, and who better to conduct this exhilarating season finale than our Principal Conductor, Ryan Bancroft.