Berkeley Symphony & Friends: The Music of Muses

The Music of Muses is a poignant program that explores the many forms of inspiration that move artists to create — from divine vision and romantic longing to the beauty of nature, personal loss, and historical legacy. Spanning solo works to chamber ensembles, the concert features music by Reena Esmail, Beethoven, Jennifer Higdon, Bedřich Smetana, Anton Webern, and Juan Pablo Contreras. Each piece is guided by a distinct muse: the Hindu concept of darshan, a secret love, misty Appalachian landscapes, a child lost too soon, and three iconic Mexican women whose lives shaped a nation. Together, these works offer a deeply human meditation on creativity, memory, and the transformative power of artistic devotion.