Classical Archives - Page 5 of 8 - Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue

Headlining this all-American program is the red, white, and blue Rhapsody in Blue that Gershwin described as a sort of “musical kaleidoscope of America.”

A double helping of Respighi awaits you with music by this orchestrator extraordinaire. In The Fountains of Rome, he focuses on four magnificent aquatic landmarks “contemplated at the hour… in which their beauty appears most impressive to the observer.”

Haydn & Mahler

Mahler’s sunny Fourth, whose ethereal last movement describes a child’s vision of heavenly life— overflowing bowls of tasty food, angels, saints and St. Cecilia and her kindred playing music to accompany the dancing of 11,000 virgins — radiantly portrayed by much-sought-after Metropolitan Opera soprano Erin Morley.

Puccini’s Madama Butterfly

If any opera can break your heart, it surely is Madama Butterfly, the story of an innocent young Japanese girl, who — as her nickname foreshadows — is crushed by one of opera’s most callous cads, naval officer Lieutenant Pinkerton, who promises her a forever love.

Liszt & Ligeti

Jamie Martin takes us on a tour of Hungarian music from the original rockstar, Franz Liszt, to the modern avant-garde genius of György Ligeti, whose 100th anniversary of his birth we celebrate in 2023.

Shostakovich Symphony No. 8

Known for his interpretations of Shostakovich, Jukka Pekka Saraste leads the DSO through his Eighth Symphony.

Brahms Symphony No. 3

Although Brahms was just 50 when he wrote his Third Symphony, he looked back to younger days with the musical quotation of the motto Frei aber froh (“Free but happy”).

Mendelssohn’s “A Symphony Cantata”

Paul McCreesh joins the DSO to conduct a grand spiritual concert including vocal soloists, the Dallas Symphony Chorus and the Lay Family Organ. Also known as his Symphony No. 2, Mendelssohn described the work as a “symphonic cantata.” Bearing a superficial similarity to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, it begins with three instrumental movements although on a much smaller scale and closes with a cantata-like structure for chorus, solo voices and orchestra.

Pinchas Zukerman

Pinchas Zukerman reigns as one of today’s most sought-after and versatile musicians. He is renowned as a virtuoso, admired for the expressive lyricism of his playing, singular beauty of tone and impeccable.

Hélène Grimaud Plays Brahms

Wildlife conservationist, activist, writer and virtuosic pianist, Hélène Grimaud returns to Dallas to perform Brahms’ First Piano Concerto, the composer’s first performed orchestral work. Grimaud’s thoughtful and tenderly expressive music making will ignite our emotions.

Concert Series: Classical