Every movement of Brahms's sublime Fourth Symphony contains a wealth of memorable qualities and striking moments-music of autumnal melancholy, melting lyricism, forbidding austerity and stern grandeur. Internationally famed horn player Radek Baborák makes a return visit to Taipei as the featured soloist in a concerto by his Czech countryman Jiří Pauer (1919-2007). Baborák was only eighteen when he was appointed principal horn in the Czech Philharmonic; among the posts he has held since then include principal in the Munich and Berlin Philharmonics. Pauer's concerto is certain to astonish with its virtuosic writing, ardent lyricism and frolicsome

character. An NSO commissioned work West Coasts, by Taiwanese composer Yuan-Chen Li opens the program. The title is entirely apt, as the composer comes from Taiwan's west coast and studied (and now lives) on America's west coast.