Ending Big

It’s just about summer vacation for classical musicians — time to
rub some SPF 60 on the old tuba and trade the valve oil for a
piña colada. The Kansas City Symphony closes its season
this afternoon with guest Peter Serkin. The pianist pulls up a
bench for Charles Wuorinen’s “Flying to Kahani: Concertpiece for Piano
and Orchestra” (which Pulitzer Prize-winner Wuorinen wrote for Serkin)
and Beethoven’s Second Piano Concerto in a program that ends with
Shostakovich’s bruising Fifth Symphony. After starting the weekend at
the Lyric (1029 Central), the symphony wraps up at 2 p.m. at Yardley
Hall in Johnson County Community College’s Carlsen Center (12345
College Boulevard in Overland Park). Michael Stern conducts. Tickets
start at $10; call 913-469-4445 or see kcsymphony.org.

Fri., May 29, 8 p.m.; Sat., May 30, 8 p.m.; Sun., May 31, 2 p.m., 2009