The Lahti Symphony Orchestra’s concert season starts spectacularly in the colours of the Stars and Stripes! John Adams is known for his explosive minimalism, and his joyride portrays reckless driving in a sports car. Béla Bartók crowned his career by composing a Concerto for Orchestra to suit American tastes. Missy Mazzoli’s recent Violin Concerto, which has quickly won worldwide fame, depicts a ritualistic ceremony: primitive spells, ancient incantations and healing rites minister to souls scarred by the tribulations of recent years. Tonight’s violin soloist, the specialist in modern music from the USA Jennifer Koh, won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumentalist this year.