The Travel Preludes are three short pieces ideally conceived for opening a concert. The first, Urgent Call, is like a bell calling the audience and stressing the importance ­— and at times the urgency — of making music.

The second prelude, The Art of Taking a Seat, has to do with that carefulness, kindness and attention the attendance of a concert requires from the audience. Because to take a seat, to concentrate and to open heart and mind to the music is an art everybody should practice...