22-year-old Chinese violinist Xiang Yu makes his PSO debut in Prokofiev's Violin Concerto #2. He talks about Prokofiev, winning the 2010 Menuhin competition, and his journey from Inner Mongolia to Beijing to Boston, where he studies with Donald Weilerstein. Xiang Yu mentions his extramusical activities, such as swimming, and coaches Jim Cunningham in some basic Mandarin phrases.

In a busy downtown restaurant, Pittsburgh Symphony Pops music director Marvin Hamlisch talks with Jim Cunningham about his travels to Africa and Europe, how he's winning his personal "battle of the bulge," highlights of the 2011-2012 PSO Pops season, the new sound system in Heinz Hall, special Gershwin-related surprises this season, and the need for subscriptions to keep the pops going.

Viennese pianist joins the PSO on opening night in Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F, just two weeks after the orchestra played two concerts at the Grafenegg Festival in Austria, where Buchbinder is the founding director. Buchbinder talks about his esteem for the Gershwin concerto, the concept behind the Grafenegg Festival, his many Beethoven recordings, and his passion for movies, art, and his 540-horsepower Maybach luxury sedan.

The Pittsburgh Symphony's new Concertmaster, 27 year old Noah Bendix-Balgley, is a laureate of the 2009 Queen Elizabeth of Belgium Competition and winner of other prizes. He talks about his background, which includes leading a string quartet in Germany and serving as a guest concertmaster across Europe. He also reveals a family tie to the PSO.

Mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, who has recorded Mahler's Symphony No. 3 with four different orchestras including the PSO, returns in Mahler's Kindertotenlieder on the 100th anniversary of the composer's death. She talks about the challenges and joys of singing this deeply emotional song cycle.

Composer Joan Tower talks about her world-premiere piece, titled "Stroke," which was commissioned by the PSO. She describes how she incorporated a heartbeat and sequence of instrumental solos into music inspired by the stroke that left her brother half-paralyzed. She also comments on her uncommon fanfares, and some activities beyond her tenure as Pittsburgh Symphony Composer of the Yea.

PSO Principal Guest Conductor Leonard Slatkin has championed David del Tredici's "Final Alice" since he witnessed the premiere. Slatkin describes unusual aspects: the enormous orchestra, Theremin, and soprano with megaphone. He also discusses Peter and the Wolf with text revised by Pittsburgh humorist Peter Leo, and the Detroit Symphony's new direction after a long and bitter strike.

Soprano Hila Plitmann talks about the unusual soprano part in David del Tredici's "Final Alice," based on "Alice in Wonderland," which reflects some aspects of the composer's personality. She talks about her work with film composer Hans Zimmer on "The DaVinci Code" and the upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." And her husband, choral composer Eric Whitacre comes up for discussion.

Once a potential PSO Music Director, Herbert Blomstedt returns to Heinz Hall for the first time in 25 years. He talks about Brahms, Schumann, religion, Swedish Radio, and San Francisco where he was Music Director for 10 years.

American pianist Garrick Ohlsson talks about his work with Herbert Blomstedt, the Brahms Piano Concerto #2, new recording projects, his recent and future concerts, life in San Francisco, and more.