The Akron Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor Benjamin Zander present a journey into the heart of the Russian repertoire, culminating in Tchaikovsky’s masterful Fourth Symphony, on September 21 at 8 p.m.

The evening will open with Glinka’s rollicking and soaring overture from Ruslan and Lyudmila, followed by Mussorgsky’s delicate Kovantchina and Prokofiev’s popular Piano Concerto No. 3, featuring guest pianist Alexander Korsantia. Maestro Zander will then lead the Orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s well-loved masterpiece.

Maestro Zander has served as conductor of the Boston Philharmonic since its founding in 1978, as well as the recently formed Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. He travels extensively giving master classes and conducting guest performances, most notably his 2017 appearance with the Akron Symphony for Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

Alexander Korsantia has performed as soloist with orchestras throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe, where he recently finished a tour. Dubbed “a major artist” by the Miami Herald and a “quiet maverick” by the Daily Telegraph, pianist Korsantia has been praised for the “clarity of his technique, richly varied tone and dynamic phrasing,” and a “piano technique where difficulties simply do not exist.” 

 A Preview from the Podium, featuring Maestro Zander discussing the evening’s program, will begin at 7 p.m.

Following the concert, join a select group of Orchestra musicians for the first TalkBack event of the season. TalkBacks are designed as a guided and wide-ranging conversation that will offer a look at the evening’s performance through the eyes of the musicians. They will take place in the lobby at E.J. Thomas Hall.

Single tickets for the performance start at just $25. Tickets are available online or by calling the Symphony Box Office at 330.535.8131. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night of the concert as long as seats are available.

The performance will take place at The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, which is located at 198 Hill Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.