Russian-Polish relations have had a long and turbulent history. As neighbors, Russians and Poles share linguistic roots and other cultural bonds. Interchanges between these two countries are frequent, including with classical music talents. Wieniawski, the virtuoso violinist of Poland, taught at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and inaugurated the "Russian Violin School". Tchaikovsky, a Russian composer, employed the traditional polonaise in his third symphony, which gave the work the nickname “Polish”. Performing both composers' pieces in one concert, the NSO will reveal the sparks ignited by these cultural exchanges. Wieniawski, regarded as the ‘reincarnation of Paganini’, was admitted into the Paris Conservatory at the age of eight (the school making an exception for his age in accepting him) and graduated at 11. His first violin concerto, written at 17, contains passages of extreme virtuosity, particularly involving the multiple-stop technique and brilliant cadenza in the first movement, challenging for most soloists and yet a clear demonstration of his technical prowess. The second movement, Preghiera (Prayer), a short lyrical interlude with echoes of its two brilliant surrounding movements which bring relaxation. Tchaikovsky’s third symphony is a unique one in his symphonic oeuvre. It’s the only one in a major key and comprises five movements. Tchaikovsky adored Schumann’s works. The adoption of five movements and tone of exultant optimism in the third symphony were undoubtedly influenced by the German composer's third symphony Rhenish.