Music can mask a challenging situation, or it can reveal a deeper understanding, like the world premiere by Shuying Li inspired by the many moods of postpartum motherhood. While Handel’s Water Music greets a turbulent world with ripples of pure joy, Shostakovich’s first cello concerto navigates dangerous Soviet politics cloaked in enchanting layers of humor and humility. Stravinsky’s Pulcinella brought masked comedians to life with added dimensions of wit and sparkle.