Yo-Yo Ma at the Pittsburgh Symphony

Tonight, 8 p.m.

Heinz Hall

(412)…

Yo-Yo Ma at the Pittsburgh Symphony

Tonight, 8 p.m.

Heinz Hall

(412) 392-4900

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is gearing up – or perhaps practicing up is the more appropriate term – to begin another year of musical performances at Heinz Hall.

Returning for his sixth musical season, PSO conductor and director Mariss Jansons kicks off the year by holding two expectedly magnificent concerts. The first day concert features an appearance by two special guests; the second day, a trip to a city deeply rooted in classical music.

To mark the first concert of the Mellon Grand Classics season, the Pittsburgh Symphony invited famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma to perform tonight. Even for those not well-acquainted with the classical music scene, the name Yo-Yo Ma is not completely foreign.

From performances on “Sesame Street” to appearances with acclaimed orchestras around the world, his recent Silk Road Project encourages artistic study of the cultures that lie along the ancient trade routes from East to West – approximately all of the lands between Italy and Japan. Because of his work on the “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” soundtrack, Ma has shown his talent as he works across the board to bring music to listeners.

Friday night he will perform Antonio Vivaldi’s “Cello Concerto in A minor” along with “Don Quixote,” Richard Strauss’ musical adaptation of the Cervantes novel in which Ma will perform the part of Don Quixote on the cello.

Michael Hersch, the Pittsburgh Symphony Composer of the year, will also appear tonight. Hersch has received numerous awards and composing commissions from orchestras across the United States, and tonight will mark the first Pittsburgh performance of his “Symphony No. 1.”

Sunday afternoon, the Symphony will return only to be swept off to Vienna as they perform the first of its “Sunday Afternoon in Vienna” concerts that highlight the musical heritage of Vienna, one of the most influential cities in the history of classical music.

At this opening performance, the music of Franz Schubert, Mozart and Johann Strauss Jr. will be featured. The concert begins at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 22.

Tickets can be ordered by phone at (412) 393-4900 or obtained at the Heinz Hall Box Office. The price of tickets prices varies from $21.25 to $65.25 for Friday evening, and $19.25 to $56.25 for Sunday. Student rush tickets can be purchased for $13 and go on sale two hours before the start of each performance.