The Ogle Center opened its 2026-27 season with a wonderful performance by the Louisville Orchestra on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. Performing that night was Yevgeny Kutik as the solo violinist and conductor Ziwei Ma, making guest appearances alongside the Louisville Orchestra. Both guests flew in to perform alongside the Louisville Orchestra, playing music from Prokofiev and Brahms to a sold-out performance at the Indiana University Southeast Ogle Center.
Ziwei Ma masterfully drew out the sound of the Louisville orchestra, from roaring heights to gentle lows. Ziwei Ma is currently the conducting fellow at the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. She has been named a 2026–2028 Award Recipient of the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship. Upon being asked what music and arts brings to college students, Ziwei replied that students should keep up with the arts and that “there are so many things’ words cannot explain.”
Also interviewed was Yevgeny Kutik, the talented violinist and described by The New York times as having a “dark-hued tone and razor-sharp technique.” Yevgeny has been playing violin ever since he was five, when he immigrated to the United States. He stated that while his motivation has changed over the years, he always has this desire to keep pouring beautiful art back into our world.
When Yevgeny was asked if that nervousness of being on stage ever goes away, he answered with the comment that “the fact you get nervous means that you care.”
The orchestra induced the emotion out of Prokofiev’s music. From delicate plucks of the strings to intense and fiery waves of sound, Yevgeny and the Louisville Orchestra astounded audiences with their performance of Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 63. Yevgeny’s technical and powerful execution won over the crowd as they were mystified by his passionate performance. After the performance of the first two movements, Yevgeny played the third solo movement of Prokofiev’s concerto. His mastery shone through as he delivered a wonderful final act to the piece. The Louisville Orchestra and Yevgeny received their first standing ovation.
Conductor Ziwei Ma and Yevgeny shared a heartwarming embrace, and Yevgeny took his leave. Once Yevgeny left the stage, the Louisville Orchestra proceeded with Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73. The performance was exhilarating, whimsical and dramatic. The expertise of the many talented musicians shone through in their mastery of these demanding works of art. Once the concert concluded, the audience once again rose out of their seats to deliver roaring applause. The Louisville Orchestra and conductor Ziwei Ma took a bow to conclude their performance.
Guests walking out were invited to the Louisville Orchestra’s next performance hosted by the Ogle Center, featuring internationally recognized pianist Yuja Wang performing and conducting Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor and Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major. Yuja Wang will perform Oct. 9 as part of the Louisville Orchestra NightLites series, featuring five Friday evening concerts hosted at the Ogle Center. Wang will also perform Thursday, Oct. 8, and Saturday, Oct. 10.
The Ogle Center will host numerous performances during this 2026-27 season. Tickets can be purchased online at a discount for IUS students. The ticket office is open Tuesday – Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Ogle Center Events: https://oglecenter.com/events/index.php
Blake Gambrel is a student in JOUR-J303 Online Journalism class
