Nature provided endless joy, fascination, and inspiration for Beethoven, and his charming Pastoral Symphony throws open the gates to green meadows, murmuring brooks, shepherds, a tumultuous thunderstorm, and merry peasant dances. Premiered on the same concert in 1808, with Beethoven himself as soloist, Piano Concerto No. 4 took the art form to sublime new heights of poetic expression. Captivating Romanian pianist Alexandra Dariescu joins the Houston Symphony.