Violinist Benjamin Baker performs Brahms’ epic violin concerto in a concert featuring two monumental pieces that serve as the pinnacles of their genres. Baker’s playing creates “a supernaturally beautiful atmosphere” and exudes “the fruit of serious readiness combined with cultured musicianship and flawless intonation” (The Arts Desk). Intermission is followed by a dramatic performance of one of the great symphonies of the 20th century - Shostakovich’s Fifth. This assertive and satirical yet aching masterpiece is one for the ages.

Nothing lifts spirits like the music of the Italian Baroque! Enjoy a delightful evening featuring the sunny works of Italian masters Corelli, Vivaldi, Albinoni, and more - all within the intimacy of beautiful Legacy Hall. Sip a glass of prosecco and taste classic Italian desserts at this light, airy concert perfectly paired with a reception during an extended intermission.

Grammy-Award winning ensemble Time For Three makes their CSO debut performing Kevin Puts’ haunting piece Contact — a unique work written especially for this charismatic trio. Comprised of Charles Yang (violin, vocals), Nicolas Kendall (violin, vocals), and Ranaan Meyer (double bass, vocals), Time For Three pushes creative boundaries and captivates audiences worldwide with their exceptional talent as they explore music across multiple genres. The utterly romantic and supremely lyrical Rachmaninoff Second Symphony completes the evening.

Tchaikovsky’s triumphant symphony and Borodin’s evocative tone poem bookend the masterful Third Piano Concerto by Prokofiev performed by Canadian pianist Katherine Chi. With her energy, character, and spunk, her previous performances have been described as “... the most sensational but, better, the most unfailingly cogent and compelling Prokofiev’s Third I have heard in years.”

Although born in Halle (a part of Prussia), Handel spent most of his creative life in the city of London, which was the creative center of the musical world at the time. In addition to Handel, the presence of composers like Purcell, Geminiani, and Eccles made the city a musical Mecca.

Gabriela Lena Frank is an American composer of Lithuanian, Peruvian, and Chinese heritage. Coqueteos is a flirtatious Andean love song. Rodrigo’s concerto is an expression of old-world Spanish charm. And the Beethoven symphony represents the quintessential expression of mankind’s struggle with Fate. Grammy-winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux is praised for his performances of the beloved Rodrigo. His musical skills are described by Gramophone as “among the elite of today’s guitarists.”

The mysticism of Hovhaness, and the witty satire of Shostakovich are delightfully set against the pastoral beauty of Brahms’ D Major symphony. Dominic Cheli returns to perform Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2. His playing has been described by Symphony Magazine as “spontaneous yet perfect, the best of how a young person can play.”

From larks and swans to the story of Mother Goose, this concert features birdsong with the orchestra. Rautavaara’s Concerto Arcticus is a unique composition, which will linger in your ear. Fairy tale Ravel and an exquisite Mozart Symphony complete the program.

Enjoy a first-class ticket on a musical journey which features the music of Atlantan Carlos Simon and the great Englishman Ralph Vaughan Williams. Sibelius’ brooding Violin Concerto provides an interesting side trip. Violinist SooBeen Lee has been praised by The Washington Post for her “poised presence, a luxurious sound, spot-on intonation, and a bow arm that surely will be the envy of her peers”.

The music of this program finds its inspiration in our desire to remember: a departed loved one, a bittersweet history, and a gallery of dear friends. Award-winning violinist Stella Chen joins the CSO to perform Corigliano’s music composed for the film The Red Violin. Enigmatic pieces by Edward Elgar and American female composer Margaret Brouwer complete the concert.

Can this be love? This is a good question to ask, especially just after Valentine’s Day. We may not have a conclusive answer, but we do have a lot of evidence for your consideration. We’ll explore romantic love, love of family, doomed love, love for all the wrong reasons, sacrificial love, and just about every kind of love there is. You’ll have to draw your own conclusions.

Looking for a place to take the kids while they are home from school? Experience the “thrill” of the orchestra featuring music from The Lion King, Frozen, and Stars Wars. Russell Peck’s educational piece, The Thrill of the Orchestra, colorfully illustrates the instruments of the orchestra and how they are played. This fun, family matinee performance is entertaining for all ages.

What did Beethoven do between his glorious Seventh and the cosmic Ninth symphonies? We have the answer (You doubted us for an instant?). He wrote the vivacious, quirky Eighth Symphony, of course. Hear the Eighth and music for oboe and strings by Vaughan Williams and a lively work (Strum) by young American composer Jessie Montgomery.

Celebrate the most influential German composers of the Baroque era with music from Handel, Bach, Telemann, and Fasch. (Fasch? Who’s that? You will know after this concert.) Enjoy the intimacy of Legacy Hall and the artistry of CSO principal violist Josiah Coe. Fans of Bach will recognize his “Air” from Orchestra Suite No. 3.

Young pianist, Evren Ozel, will make his CSO debut performing the ever-popular first concerto by Tchaikovsky. He is represented by Concert Artists Guild as one of the Ambassador Prize winners of their 2021 Victor Elmaleh Virtual Competition and described as having “daring creativity and fierce passion” through his artistry. Celestial music by living composer Arvo Pärt and a lustrous symphony by Vaughan Williams complete the program.

The CSO kicks off the 2022-2023 season as we showcase the largest orchestral setting offered in the last two years celebrating the legendary Firebird Suite by Stravinsky and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition as arranged by Ravel. The music on this concert is inspired by non-musical things: paintings and drawings, ancient fairy tales and legends, and beloved folk tunes.