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Rossen Milanov and the Columbus Symphony Announce the 2025–26 Masterworks Season
Subscriptions On Sale Now
Rossen Milanov, Music Director
Next Event:
Subscriptions On Sale Now
The Columbus Symphony and Music Director Rossen Milanov today announced the
2025-26 Masterworks season, with 12 programs full of unforgettable moments on the
Ohio Theatre stage. Subscriptions are on sale now. Single tickets will go on sale at 10
am on Monday, June 9.
HIGHLIGHTS:
ACCOMPANIMENTS:
Preludes – Prior to Masterworks performances, the CSO will offer a 30-minute,
informational talk about the works or composers to be performed that evening,
hosted by the Columbus Symphony’s artistic team and special guests.
Friday Coffee Dress – Select Masterworks programs in 2025-26 season will offer $18
general admission tickets (before fees) to Friday morning rehearsals. Complimentary
coffee and donuts included.
Mozart to Matisse – The CSO and Columbus Museum of Art (CMA) will collaborate in a
series of afternoon lectures that pair chamber music performances by CSO musicians
with works from the CMA art collection. The presentations will focus on specific
periods being presented in upcoming CSO Masterworks concerts, and explore the
common themes and aesthetic influences between music and visual art.
College Club – This $25 student membership program provides unlimited access to
concerts all season long, as well as invitations to members-only events and discounts.
2025-26 MASTERWORKS SEASON:
OPENING NIGHT: BEETHOVEN 5
Friday, September 26, 7:30 pm; & Sunday, September 28, 3 pm
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Anna Fedorova, piano
Program:
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor”)
Beethoven – Symphony No. 5
Our 2025-26 Masterworks Season opens with the powerful music of Beethoven and two of his greatest compositions! Acclaimed pianist Anna Fedorova joins the orchestra for the majestic Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor”), a dynamic interplay between the brilliance of the piano and the lush symphonic backdrop. The concert concludes with the iconic Fifth Symphony — a thrilling narrative of fate and triumph. Join us for these masterpieces full of relentless energy that celebrate the timeless essence of classical music!
SCHEHERAZADE
Friday, October 3, 7:30 pm; & Sunday, October 5, 3 pm
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Joanna Frankel, violin
Columbus Symphony Women’s Chorus
Program:
Debussy – Nocturnes
Saariaho – Vers toi qui es si loin
Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherazade
Be swept away into an enchanting evening full of rich orchestral textures and evocative musical storytelling. The evening unfolds with the lush, dreamlike landscapes of Debussy’s Nocturnes. Each movement paints an impressionistic picture: slow-moving clouds, vibrant festivals, and the mysterious voices of Sirens, portrayed by the radiant voices of the Columbus Symphony Women’s Chorus. Kaija Saariaho’s Vers toi qui es si loin is a haunting exploration of longing and connection to what lies beyond our human existence. Finally, escape into the exotic musical landscapes of Rimsky-Korsakov’s colorfully orchestrated Scheherazade. Melodic tales of adventure and intrigue are brought to life, featuring concertmaster Joanna Frankel as the “voice” of the Arabian princess Sheherazade, weaving fairy tales for 1001 Nights.
MESSIAH
Friday & Saturday, November 14 & 15, 7:30 pm; & Sunday, November 16, 3 pm
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Columbus Symphony Chorus
Stephen Caracciolo, chorus director
Program:
Handel – Messiah (arr. Mozart)
Mozart’s orchestration of Handel’s Messiah offers a new way of presenting this masterpiece. The reimagining of the oratorio allows for an expansion of sounds through additional instruments. In collaboration with the CSO Chorus, the brass section amplifies the triumphant energy of the Hallelujah Chorus, elevating its grandeur to new levels.
LATIN RHYTHMS & HOLLYWOOD DREAMS
Friday & Saturday, January 16 & 17, 7:30 pm
Friday Coffee Dress: January 16, 10 am
Josep Vicent, conductor
Blake Pouliot, violin
Griset Damas-Roche, flamenco dancer
Program:
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 (“Classical”)
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Falla: El amor brujo: Ballet Suite
Márquez: Danzón No. 2
Guest conductor Josep Vicent leads the orchestra in a captivating concert featuring Prokofiev’s vibrant Symphony No. 1 (“Classical”)—an echo of the elegant 18th-century musical style. Korngold’s emotionally rich Violin Concerto will delight you and elevate the evening with its lyrical beauty. Falla’s El amor brujo and Márquez’s Danzón No. 2 complete the program in a lively homage to Flamenco, Latin dance, and Spanish passion.
MOZART’S REQUIEM
Friday & Saturday, January 23 & 24, 7:30 pm
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Lydia Grindatto, soprano
Mariya Kaganskaya, mezzo soprano
Angel Raii Gomez, tenor
Cumhur Görgün, bass
Columbus Symphony Chorus
Stephen Caracciolo, chorus director
Program:
Mozart – Requiem
Experience the profound beauty of Mozart’s unfinished masterpiece, now reimagined with a contemporary twist by acclaimed American composer Gregory Spears. Spears’ music seamlessly blends echoes of Bach and Mozart with Romantic harmonies and modern nuances to complete the Requiem with its missing Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei. Join us for this unforgettable performance that bridges centuries of musical tradition with innovative artistry.
PRICE & TCHAIKOVSKY
Friday & Saturday, February 6 & 7, 7:30 pm
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Melissa White, violin
Program:
Copland: Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo
Price: Violin Concerto No. 2
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1 (“Winter Dreams”)
Experience the vibrant energy of Aaron Copland’s Rodeo. Four folk-inspired dances from the ballet come alive, bursting with frontier spirit and lively rhythms. Described as elegant and thoughtful (Cincinnati Business Courier), violinist Melissa White will capture the sounds of American classical music with the soul-stirring lyricism of Florence Price’s Second Violin Concerto. Finally, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.1(“Winter Dreams”) will take us on a charming musical ride full of dreamy landscapes and emotional depth.
MAHLER 1
Friday & Saturday, February 20 & 21, 7:30 pm
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Lauren Cauley, violin
Mariel Roberts, cello
Jeffrey Mumford, composer
Program:
Mumford: floating layers interwoven with expanding brightness
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 (“Titan”)
This captivating concert features Jeffrey Mumford’s Double Concerto, a stunning fusion of rich textures, innovative harmonies, and intricate dialogue between the orchestra and soloists Lauren Cauley, violin, and Mariel Roberts, cello. The program culminates with Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 1 (“Titan”), a work that takes listeners on a journey through expansive soundscapes of emotion, from robust triumph to serene reflection.
AMADEUS
Friday & Saturday, March 6 & 7, 7:30 pm
Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Columbus Symphony Chorus
Stephen Caracciolo, chorus director
Program:
Amadeus Live
Celebrate the 270th anniversary of Mozart’s birth and experience the Academy Award-winning film like never before! A breathtaking fusion of cinema and symphony, this is a must-see event for music and film lovers, with the soundtrack brought to life by Principal Pops Conductor Stuart Chafetz and the Columbus Symphony and Chorus.
RACHMANINOFF 3
Saturday, March 14, 7:30 pm
Friday Coffee Dress: March 13, 10 am
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Caroline Hong, piano
Program:
Janáček: Taras Bulba
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 3
Immerse yourself in this exhilarating concert filled with heroic sounds, dazzling virtuosity, and musical drama! Janáček’s dynamic Taras Bulba offers a vivid orchestral portrayal of heroism and sacrifice inspired by Nikolai Gogol’s tales of war and death. Symphony pianist Caroline Hong brings Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue to life with sweeping lyricism and jazzy flair. Rachmaninoff’s lush and dramatic Symphony No. 3 weaves a poignant musical tapestry that will captivate your heart and stir your soul.
SHOSTAKOVICH 8
Friday & Saturday, March 27 & 28, 7:30 pm
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Sandbox Percussion
Program:
Viet Cuong: Re(new)al
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8
This evocative concert begins with the Grammy-nominated ensemble Sandbox Percussion’s performance of Viet Cuong’s Re(new)al—an innovative work for percussion quartet and orchestra full of eclectic soundscapes that explore themes of transformation and resilience. Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 8 is a powerful work reflecting on war as a force of destruction and suffering, while juxtaposing it with the endurance and resilience of the human spirit.
BEETHOVEN, SCHUMANN, & BRAHMS
Friday, April 17, 7:30 pm & Saturday, April 18, 3 pm
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Maxim Lando, piano
Program:
Beethoven: Egmont Overture
Schumann: Symphony No. 4
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1
Musical brilliance abounds in this concert featuring works by three prominent composers from the Classical and Romantic eras. Beethoven’s overture to Egmont is part of the incidental music he composed for the play by Goethe. It portrays in a brilliant and powerful way the ideas of oppression, struggle, and freedom. Schumann’s music captures with its romantic passion and energy while offering an innovative formal design where all the movements of the symphony are linked together.
ORFF: TRIUMPH OF APHRODITE
Friday & Saturday, May 1 & 2, 7:30 pm
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Aubry Ballarò, soprano
Nicholas Nestorak, tenor
Hugh Russell, baritone
Columbus Symphony Chorus
Stephen Caracciolo, chorus director
BalletMet
Program:
Dvořák: The American Flag
Orff: Trionfo di Afrodite
Our season concludes with this vibrant finale featuring the Columbus Symphony musicians and Chorus, and dancers from BalletMet. Dvořák’s The American Flag is a spirited blend of nationalism and folk elements that celebrates the composer’s expressions of American patriotism and freedom. Orff’s Trionfo di Afroditi is the final installment of a musical trilogy that opens with the well-known Carmina Burana. This spectacular work showcases the full power of the chorus and orchestra, explores love and beauty, and embraces the listener in its powerful climaxes.
Most packages are “create your own,” a feature designed to give patrons the ability to curate their own experience. All subscribers receive discounted tickets, free ticket exchanges, a discount on additional tickets, and other benefits depending on the package selected. Patrons may also choose to pay in two separate payments. The following packages are available:
Masterworks 10-12 – Includes any 10-12 Masterworks programs of the patron’s choice, free parking for one vehicle to each concert, four free tickets for friends or family to attend any Masterworks performance, and an invitation to the 2024-25 season kick-off party. Masterworks 10-13 subscriptions range from $264.60-$902.16. (20 percent off regular pricing)
Masterworks 6-9 – Includes any 6-9 Masterworks programs of the patron’s choice, two free tickets for friends or family to attend any Masterworks performance, and an invitation to the 2024-25 season kick-off party. Subscriptions range from $167.16 – $716.58. (15 percent off regular pricing)
Masterworks 4-5 – Includes any 4-5 Masterworks programs of the patron’s choice and an invitation to the 2024-25 season kick-off party. Subscriptions range from $116.96-$420.25. (10 percent off regular pricing)
College Club – Students who purchase a $25 College Club membership will receive one admission to each Masterworks concert in the season. Membership also includes the ability to purchase up to four additional student tickets per concert at $8 each.
Programs and artists are subject to change.
www.ColumbusSymphony.com
About the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1951, the Columbus Symphony is the longest-running, professional symphony in central Ohio. Through an array of innovative artistic, educational, and community outreach programming, the Columbus Symphony is reaching an expanding, more diverse audience each year. This season, the Columbus Symphony will share classical music with more than 175,000 people in central Ohio through concerts, radio broadcasts, and special programming. For more information, visit www.columbussymphony.com.
The Columbus Symphony’s 2024-25 season is made possible in part by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. CAPA also appreciates the generous support of the Greater Columbus Arts Council, City of Columbus, Franklin County, and The Columbus Foundation’s Kenneth L. Coe and Jack Barrow, Gertrude L. Jacob, Barbara B. Coons, W. W. Williams Family Field of Interest, and Martha G. Staub funds.
Subscriptions On Sale Now
