The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Music Director Louis Langrée will round out the Thanksgiving weekend (“Take Back Friday”) at Music Hall with its Friday, November 28 and Saturday, November 29 concerts, an incredible all-Tchaikovsky program featuring the CSO debut of pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk.

Described as the “discovery of the year” in 2009, Alexander Gavrylyuk is a virtuosic young performer, “an orchestra unto himself” who is increasingly in demand by orchestras and conductors across the globe. He will perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, a work initially criticized by Tchaikovsky’s contemporaries. It has since become one of the best-loved piano concertos of all time, and a masterwork of Russian romantic literature.

The CSO will also perform Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, a magnificent work in which the composer maximized his talent for melody. Composed a full decade after his previous symphony in which his reputation was solidified, Tchaikovsky much of his own skill at matching his previous works. Its slow, dark introduction may reflect his doubt, which soon gives way to the triumphant movements of melody for which the famous composer was best known.

All ticketholders are invited to attend Classical Conversations, beginning one hour prior to these performances in the Music Hall auditorium. Get inside the hearts and minds of the composers and guest artists with these informative discussions. CSO Principal French horn Liz Freimuth joins CSO Assistant Conductor William White this week.

Tickets for this concert start at just $12 and are available by calling the CSO Box Office at (513) 381-3300 or visiting www.cincinnatisymphony.org.