Jean Sibelius destroyed the manuscript of his Eighth Symphony and never completed the work. But one of his most celebrated symphonies did survive, and on Saturday, October 24, the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra will bring it to life at the Long Center.
The Art of Jean Sibelius begins at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.
Under the direction of Conductor and Artistic Director Kellen Gray, the LSO will perform Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5, a work known for its sweeping orchestral sound, striking contrasts and unforgettable “swan theme.” The program offers audiences an opportunity to hear one of Sibelius’s masterpieces while exploring the fascinating story of the composer behind the music.
The concert will also feature the Long Center’s historic theater organ, performed by Dr. Wendy Yuen, Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lafayette.
The Music Doesn’t End With the Concert
After the performance, audiences are invited to join us for a special post-concert conversation between Kellen Gray and John Nasukaluk Clare, classical music influencer and host of Symphony Hall on SiriusXM.
The conversation will take audiences deeper into Sibelius and his music, exploring the composer, his creative process and the stories behind the works performed that evening.
“This program asks how a creator evolves from a student of tradition into an artist whose music seems to breathe with the very rhythm of nature,” says Kellen Gray. “Sibelius’ music gives us a remarkable window into that transformation.”
The post-concert conversation is part of the LSO’s effort to give audiences more ways to connect with the music and with the artists who bring it to life.
WHAT: The Art of Jean Sibelius
WHEN: Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Long Center, Lafayette, Indiana
DOORS: 6:30 p.m.
POST-CONCERT: Conversation with Kellen Gray and John Nasukaluk Clare
Tickets are available at lafayettesymphony.org.
The Art of Jean Sibelius is part of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra’s 2026–27 season, Listen Together, which celebrates the shared experience of hearing great music performed live and discovering what happens when a community listens together.