Longtime Atlanta Symphony Orchestra music director Nathalie Stutzmann, the second woman in history to lead a major American orchestra, will conduct the ASO in two signature programs, November 2 and 9, at Atlanta Symphony Hall.

The first-half program of the November 2 concert features the chorus exploring rarely performed works by Brahms, including Nänie, Schicksalslied, and Gesang der Parzen. After intermission, the orchestra is highlighted in Rachmaninov’s macabre tone poem, The Isle of the Dead. The evening ends on a flourish with select Slavonic Dances by Antonín Dvořák. 

On Nov. 9, guest violinist Josef Špaček will perform Dvořák’s “Violin Concerto” alongside the composer’s iconic Symphony No. 9 “From the New World.” That is widely considered one of the best-loved symphonies of the Romantic age, as it offers a tender English-horn solo that later became a Gospel hymn. 

“We are thrilled to have Nathalie back in Atlanta leading these unique programs that reflect her passion for Brahms and Dvořák,” said Jennifer Barlament, ASO’s executive director. “We are especially excited about the first performances of our wonderful chorus this season.”

Both concerts start at 8 p.m. For tickets or more information, visit www.aso.org.

Photo: Nathalie Stutzmann will conduct two concerts in early November at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Photo by Simon Fowler.