The exceptional young Russian pianist Kirill Gerstein (winner of the 2001 Arthur Rubinstein Piano Competition) makes his ASO debut in Liszt's sumptuous work, preceded by Beethoven's stormy opera overture. Stravinsky's ballet Petrushka tells the magical story of a lovelorn puppet who lives, woos, dies, and (just possibly) becomes immortal at a Russian Mardi Gras fair.

In January 2010 Gerstein was named the recipient of the 2010 Gilmore Artist Award, only the sixth musician to have been so honored. The Gilmore Artist Award is made to an exceptional pianist who, regardless of age or nationality, possesses broad and profound musicianship and charisma and who desires and can sustain a career as a major international concert artist.