This week I am opening the season in Columbus with two blockbusters: Respighi Pines of Rome and Strauss’ Alpine Symphony. These concerts mark the inauguration of a season inspired by the beauty of Nature and its impact on our artistic perception of the world and art. We just started the rehearsals today and I cannot express how pleased I am with the musicians’ commitments, inspiration, and exuberance. In addition, my friend and neighbor–Stephen Pariser–has put together a wonderful photo essay featuring his recent photo shooting sessions of the Bavarian Alps, the Cantabrian mountains in Northern Spain, and Yosemite National Park in the USA. This will be a remarkable two evenings!