Violinist Joshua Brown visits Northbrook Symphony for season finale of Brahms and Beethoven on May 31

Northbrook, IL – The Northbrook Symphony closes its 46th season with “Romantic Essentials” on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 4pm at the Sheely Center for the Performing Arts. Led by Music Director Mina Zikri, the concert features internationally acclaimed violinist Joshua Brown performing Brahms’ monumental Violin Concerto in D major, followed by Beethoven’s revolutionary Symphony No. 3, the “Eroica.”

Widely recognized as one of the most exciting young violinists of his generation, Brown received a 2025 Avery Fisher Career Grant and burnished his international reputation after winning Second Prize and both Audience Awards at the 2024 Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium. A graduate of the New England Conservatory and former student at the Music Institute of Chicago, Brown has appeared with leading orchestras throughout Europe and the United States, earning praise for his expressive artistry and luminous tone.

Brahms’ Violin Concerto stands among the greatest achievements in the violin repertoire, combining virtuosic brilliance with sweeping lyricism and symphonic depth, demanding both technical mastery and emotional nuance from the soloist. Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony transformed the course of classical music with its unprecedented scale, emotional intensity, and heroic spirit, ushering in the Romantic era. Expansive and deeply expressive, the symphony remains one of the defining works of the orchestral repertoire.

The Sheely Center for the Performing Arts is located at 2300 Shermer Rd, Northbrook. The audience is invited to attend a free pre-concert talk with Robbie Ellis starting at 3pm. During intermission, Mina Zikri and Joshua Brown will have a special talkback discussion from the stage exploring the music and Brown’s artistic journey.

Tickets for "Romantic Essentials" are on sale now. Adult tickets range from $45 to $75, and child tickets for those aged 6-17 are always complimentary with a paying adult. Tickets and subscriptions are available by calling (847) 272-0755 and by visiting northbrooksymphony.org .

Joshua Brown's appearance with the Northbrook Symphony is made possible in collaboration with the North Shore Chamber Music Festival.

About the Northbrook Symphony

Now in its 46th season, the Northbrook Symphony is dedicated to artistic excellence and engaging performances that resonate with audiences across Chicago's North Shore and beyond.

Founded as a community orchestra in 1980 by Samuel Magad, then Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Northbrook Symphony is now a fully professional orchestra, under the leadership of Music Director Mina Zikri since 2019.

The Northbrook Symphony is also holding its Annual Benefit, “Sound the Horn!” on Thursday June 11 at Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield. This is followed by the family concert “Beethoven Lives Upstairs” on Friday, June 12 at Christian Heritage Academy in Northfield, a collaboration with actors from Classical Kids LIVE! designed for audiences ages 6 and up. Tickets for both are on sale at northbrooksymphony.org and by calling (847) 272-0755.

Contact:
Robbie Ellis
General Manager, Northbrook Symphony
rellis@northbrooksymphony.org
(847) 272-0755
https://www.northbrooksymphony.org/
Facebook & Instagram: @northbrooksymphony

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