Inspired by the mystical poetry of American Trappist monk Thomas Merton, the three charming dances All These Lighted Things were brought to life in 2017 by Riccardo Muti during American composer Elizabeth Ogonek’s residency with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Ogonek’s music, flexible and weightless, features an abundant percussion section, lending a distinctive charm to these pieces. While the Violin Concert Op. 8 composed by 17-year-old Richard Strauss is unusual, it reflects the brilliance and skills of a deeply romantic young man. Prokofiev effortlessly elevates his music to the level of Tchaikovsky’s great ballets with Romeo and Juliet. The composer’s masterful arrangement of the two Suites captures the essence of this brilliant score while giving conductors the space to create their own interpretation.