The rise of nationalism in late nineteenth century Europe affected the circle of classical music. Composers were inspired to adopt nat ional musical elements in their works. Two masterpieces written by two great nationalist composers will be presented by the NSO in this concert. Bartók, in collaboration with Kodály, traveled to the remote mountain ranges of the Carpathians to collect and research Magyar folk melodies. He eventually unraveled the patterns of Magyar musical phrasing and incorporated these elements into his compositions. Unlike contemporary composers who used actual samples of folk melodies in their compositions, Bartók embodied folk music in his works. Bartók was very good at maneuvering the articulation of Magyar folk music in his second violin concerto, making it a marvel to hear. As the most innovative composer of The Five in breaking the trappings of Western European musical tradition, Mussorgsky fervently devised intrinsic Russian elements for his compositions. He was inspired to compose the piano suite Pictures at an Exhibition after he visited the memorial exhibition of Hartmann, a late painter and friend of Mussorgsky. With its novel and majestic harmony and tonal variety, shifting from coarse and vivacious to elaborate and delicate, Pictures at an Exhibition is an amazing musical spectacle that brings Hartmann’s art to life. The orchestrated version which only served to enhance its magnificence, is among the most beloved pieces in musical history.