Columbus Symphony

Wyclef Jean – Nationwide Picnic with the Pops
2026-06-20 20:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Columbus Commons, 160 South High Street, Columbus, OH, United States
Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Grammy Award-winning performing artist, producer and composer Wyclef Jean returns after debuting with the Columbus Symphony in 2018! Wyclef’s music, both as a solo superstar and as founder and guiding member of the Fugees, has been a powerful pop cultural force for over two decades. With a wealth of musical influences from jazz to classic rock to reggae, Wyclef’s hits include “Gone Till November,” “We Trying to Stay Alive,” and more.

Peter and the Wolf – Nationwide Popcorn Pops
2026-06-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Columbus Commons, 160 South High Street, Columbus, OH, United States
Join us for a free fun-filled concert featuring Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf – a timeless musical tale that brings instruments to life and sparks the imagination. Perfect for families and young audiences, this beloved classic is a wonderful introduction to the orchestra.

Arrive early for exciting pre-concert activities starting at 5:30PM, including button making, temporary tattoos, face painting, and lawn games for all ages. Enjoy free popcorn during the event, then stick around for a special community screening of Zootopia 2, sponsored by the John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons.
With support from Honda, 2026 Nationwide Popcorns Pops concerts are free for all.

Windborne's The Music of Tom Petty – Nationwide Picnic with the Pops
2026-06-27 20:00 - 22:00 | Columbus Commons, 160 South High Street, Columbus, OH, United States
Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Jonah Bobo, vocalist
George Cintron, guitar
Dan Clemens, bass
Adam Michaelson, keyboards
Powell Randolph, drums
A heartfelt tribute to one of America’s most enduring rock icons, this program celebrates the music of Tom Petty with symphonic arrangements of classics like “Free Fallin’” and “American Girl.” It’s an evening of nostalgia, storytelling, and singalong favorites. Windborne Music produces Symphonic Rock shows around the world.

Sunday With The Symphony
2026-06-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Bicentennial Park, 233 S Civic Center Drive, Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Elias Miller, conductor
Experience an unforgettable evening of live music with the Columbus Symphony as the full orchestra takes the stage for a dynamic outdoor performance. From beloved classical masterpieces to iconic movie soundtracks and popular favorites, this concert offers something for everyone in a relaxed, scenic setting along the riverfront. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in for a night of music that spans genres and generations.
Enjoy free live music on select evenings this summer at the Scioto Mile Concert Series, presented by Columbus Recreation and Parks. Each show takes place at Bicentennial Park along the Scioto Mile, with performances starting at 7 p.m., plus food trucks and a bar will be available.

Columbus Symphony Celebrates America
2026-07-04 20:00 - 22:30 | Columbus Commons, 160 South High Street, Columbus, OH, United States
Note: All online tickets have been claimed. A limited number of tickets will be available in-person at the event.
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Tamika Lawrence, vocalist
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday in grand style with a free evening of music, community, and fireworks!
Starting at 6PM (with the Columbus Symphony performing at approximately 8PM), enjoy a stirring patriotic concert at the Columbus Commons, featuring beloved American classics and special guest performers as part of the America 250-Ohio Signature Homecoming & Picnic. This unforgettable performance captures the spirit, history, and pride of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration.
Music Director Rossen Milanov will lead the Columbus Symphony and Chorus in a program designed to illuminate and reflect upon multiple aspects of the American experience. Broadway star and two-time Grammy winner Tamika Lawrence will appear as a special guest artist.
Following the concert, stay for a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the downtown skyline.
Admission is FREE, but tickets are required for entry and will be scanned upon arrival.
Explore the full event schedule for the America 250–Ohio Signature Homecoming & Picnic.

Summer Night Music in Pickerington
2026-07-09 19:00 - 20:30 | PEACE Church, 235 Diley Rd, Pickerington, 43147, United States
Elias Miller, conductor
Cuong: Next Week’s Trees
Haydn: Symphony No. 39 in G minor
Dvořák: Serenade in E Major for String Orchestra, op. 22
Join Assistant Conductor Elias Miller for a perfect summer evening as he leads the Columbus Symphony in a delightful and invigorating hour-long concert. Contemporary composer Viet Cuong’s spirited Next Week’s Trees is “a meditation on the persistence of hope in an ever-fragile world” inspired by the words of poet Mary Oliver. Haydn’s Symphony No. 39 is known as “Tempesta di mare” due to its exhilarating turbulence reminiscent of a storm at sea. The program concludes with the warm and lush sounds of Dvořák’s perennially popular Serenade for Strings.
The Summer Night Music neighborhood concert series brings classical music out to central Ohio communities and provides a relaxed setting for sharing symphonic music with friends and neighbors.
Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.

Symphonic Surprise! – Nationwide Popcorn Pops
2026-07-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Columbus Commons, 160 South High Street, Columbus, OH, United States
(Shh! Can you keep a secret? Our mascot, Bee-thoven, is having his 10th birthday this year, and we’re inviting all of his mascot friends from around Columbus to come to his surprise party! This is your chance to see all your favorite mascots together in one place … but don’t tell Bee-thoven!)
Get ready for a free musical adventure full of giggles, gasps, and surprises! Symphonic Surprise! is a fun-filled family concert where the orchestra keeps you on your toes: one moment calm and beautiful; the next loud, silly, or completely unexpected.

From playful musical surprises to buzzing bees, dancing polkas, and familiar favorites, kids and families will discover just how fun and unexpected classical music can be. Bring your ears, your curiosity, and your sense of humor because in this concert, anything can happen.

Arrive early at 5:30PM and join the party with pre-concert fun for all ages, including glitter tattoos, face painting, balloon artists, an instrument petting zoo, and lively lawn games. Enjoy free popcorn during the event, then stick around for a screening of Up, sponsored by the John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons.
With support from Honda, 2026 Nationwide Popcorns Pops concerts are free for all.

Guster - Nationwide Picnic with the Pops
2026-07-11 20:00 - 22:00 | Columbus Commons, 160 South High Street, Columbus, OH, United States
Elias Miller, conductor
Guster meets the Columbus Symphony! Witness three decades of indie-rock hits including “Satellite” and “Amsterdam” reimagined for a full orchestra. Experience this one-of-a-kind collaboration where bright melodies and clever songwriting meet world-class symphonic power.
Founded in Somerville, Massachusetts, Guster has made a career of creating enduring songs like “Amsterdam,” “Satellite,” and “Do You Love Me.” In addition to their work in Guster, singer Ryan Miller scores films and TV shows. Guitarist and singer Adam Gardner runs REVERB, a non-profit dedicated to environmentally-friendly touring. Multi-instrumentalist Luke Reynolds writes and collaborates with artists like Regina Spektor, Sharon Van Etten, and Neko Case. Guster’s newest album, Ooh La La, was released in 2024.
In the first half of the program, Assistant Conductor Elias Miller leads the orchestra in popular tunes that are not to “B” missed: works by Beethoven, Brahms, Burt Bacharach, The Beach Boys and The Beatles!

Summer Night Music in Powell
2026-07-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Powell United Methodist Church, 825 Olentangy St #1, Powell, Ohio, 43065, United States
Elias Miller, conductor
Cuong: Next Week’s Trees
Haydn: Symphony No. 39 in G minor
Dvořák: Serenade in E Major for String Orchestra, op. 22
Join Assistant Conductor Elias Miller for a perfect summer evening as he leads the Columbus Symphony in a delightful and invigorating 75-minute concert. Contemporary composer Viet Cuong’s spirited Next Week’s Trees is “a meditation on the persistence of hope in an ever-fragile world” inspired by the words of poet Mary Oliver. Haydn’s Symphony No. 39 is known as “Tempesta di mare” due to its exhilarating turbulence reminiscent of a storm at sea. The program concludes with the warm and lush sounds of Dvořák’s perennially popular Serenade for Strings.
The Summer Night Music neighborhood concert series brings classical music out to central Ohio communities and provides a relaxed setting for sharing symphonic music with friends and neighbors.
Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.

LeAnn Rimes – Nationwide Picnic with the Pops
2026-07-18 20:00 - 22:00 | Columbus Commons, 160 South High Street, Columbus, OH, United States
Stuart Chafetz, conductor
LeAnn Rimes is an internationally acclaimed, multi-platinum selling artist whose genre-defying career has spanned nearly three decades. Her groundbreaking hit “How Do I Live” remains one of Billboard’s all-time greatest songs, and she’s had 15 top-10 hits across genres, including the global smash “Can’t Fight the Moonlight.” Rimes has sold over 48 million records globally, earned eight Grammy nominations and two wins, and made history as the youngest solo artist ever to receive a Grammy.

Summer Night Music in Westerville
2026-07-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Church of the Master United Methodist, 24 N. Grove St., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States

The Alan Parsons Live Project – Nationwide Picnic with the Pops
2026-07-25 20:00 - 22:00 | Columbus Commons, 160 South High Street, Columbus, OH, United States
Tom Brooks, conductor
Known for their cinematic sound and progressive rock legacy, The Alan Parsons Live Project delivers an immersive evening of iconic hits such as “Sirius” (the Chicago Bulls theme), “Eye in the Sky,” “Games People Play,” “Don’t Answer Me,” and more. Paired with the full orchestra, this concert offers a rich, atmospheric musical experience.

OSU Marching Band – Nationwide Picnic with the Pops
2026-07-31 20:00 - 22:00 | Columbus Commons, 160 South High Street, Columbus, OH, United States
Stuart Chafetz, conductor
A Columbus favorite and annual tradition, “The Best Damn Band in the Land” joins the Columbus Symphony for patriotic tunes and symphonic favorites, while also showing off their precision marching, dynamic musical arrangements, and beloved fight songs and battle cries. To top it all off, the concert concludes with a brilliant display of fireworks! These high-energy concerts are a highlight of the summer season for audiences of all ages.
In the first half of the program, Principal Pops Conductor Stuart Chafetz will lead the orchestra in favorite movie music tunes from Hollywood, from John Williams’ E.T. to Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings and more!

Mozart to Matisse | To the Stars: Views of the Night Sky from the American Collection
2026-09-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E Broad St, Columbus, 43215, United States
Join CMA’s Shackelford Family Assistant Curator of American Art, Molly K. Eckel, on a tour of celestial landscapes in the American collection inspired by Orpheus’ Comet by Bulgarian composer Dobrinka Tabakova. After her talk, enjoy a live performance by Columbus Symphony Orchestra musicians.
Experience more and hear the full work by Dobrinka Tabakova here: https://columbussymphony.com/event/rachmaninoff-bartok-2/
Rockwell Kent, To the Stars, 1937. Oil on canvas. Museum purchase and partial gift from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Erdelac.

Rachmaninoff & Bartók
2026-09-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, 43215, United States
September 18 & 19 | 7:30PM Ohio Theatre
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Eva Gevorgyan, piano
Dobrinka Tabakova: Orpheus’ Comet
Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 3 in D Minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 30
Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra
The Columbus Symphony’s 75th Anniversary season gets started with an exciting concert featuring a dazzling piano concerto and a showpiece for the entire orchestra. Orpheus’ Comet by Bulgarian composer Dobrinka Tabokova kicks off the program with buzzing strings and brass fanfares that connect ancient legend to future glory. Young rising star Eva Gevorgyan tackles Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece Third Piano Concerto, one of the most thrilling and challenging works in the repertoire. Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra provides a virtuosic turn for nearly every instrument, highlighting the talent and artistry of our Columbus Symphony musicians.

Dvořák & Brahms
2026-10-02 19:30 - 21:30 | Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, 43215, United States
October 2 & 3 | 7:30PM
Ohio Theatre
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Aubree Oliverson, violin
Still: Serenade
Dvořák: Concerto in A Minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 53
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73
Young American violinist Aubree Oliverson brings her flair, passion, and artistry back to the Columbus Symphony to perform Dvořák’s virtuosic Violin Concerto — a work the composer initially feared was “too difficult,” but which has become a cornerstone of the repertoire, showcasing breathtaking technical fireworks alongside moments of tender lyricism. The evening continues with Brahms’s radiant Second Symphony, composed during an idyllic summer retreat and brimming with natural beauty. Often compared to Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony, it weaves together warmth, nostalgia, and pure joy before erupting in a jubilant finale. The concert opens with William Grant Still’s charming and heartfelt Serenade, a gem by the pioneering African American composer.

Mysteries, Anthems & Victories
2026-10-23 19:30 - 21:30 | Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, 43215, United States
October 23 & 24 | 7:30PM
Ohio Theatre
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Davóne Tines, bass-baritone
Gregory Spears: The Mysteries (World Premiere)
Davóne Tines: Concerto No. 2: ANTHEM
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64
The Columbus Symphony celebrates its 75th Anniversary season with the world premiere of The Mysteries, a newly commissioned work by acclaimed American composer Gregory Spears. Superstar bass-baritone Davóne Tines, who is “changing what it means to be a classical singer” (Alex Ross, The New Yorker), will perform Concerto No. 2: ANTHEM, a piece he created in collaboration with composers Michael Schachter, Caroline Shaw, and Tyshawn Sorey, as well as poet Mahogany L. Browne, that examines and reimagines the national anthem and other American songs. Tchaikovsky’s powerful Fifth Symphony, with its famous “fate” motif, begins in the depths of despair, then twists and turns towards an exciting, triumphal march.

75th Anniversary Concert at Carnegie Hall
2026-10-28 20:00 - 22:00 | Carnegie Hall, 57th St and 7th Ave, New York, NY, 10019
October 28 | 8PM
Carnegie Hall
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Davóne Tines, bass-baritone
Gregory Spears: The Mysteries (World Premiere)
Davóne Tines: Concerto No. 2: ANTHEM
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64

The Columbus Symphony celebrates its 75th Anniversary season with a tour to New York’s Carnegie Hall — the orchestra’s first performance at the venue since 2001, which was the Columbus Symphony’s 50th Anniversary. The program includes the New York premiere of The Mysteries, a newly commissioned work by acclaimed American composer Gregory Spears. Superstar bass-baritone Davóne Tines, who is “changing what it means to be a classical singer” (Alex Ross, The New Yorker), will perform Concerto No. 2: ANTHEM, a piece he created in collaboration with composers Michael Schachter, Caroline Shaw, and Tyshawn Sorey, as well as poet Mahogany L. Browne, that examines and reimagines the national anthem and other American songs. Tchaikovsky’s powerful Fifth Symphony, with its famous “fate” motif, begins in the depths of despair, then twists and turns towards an exciting, triumphal march.
Tickets can be purchased at carnegiehall.org, by calling Carnegie Hall at 212.247.7800, or at the Carnegie Hall Box Office on 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in New York.

Verdi's Requiem
2026-11-20 19:30 - 21:30 | Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, 43215, United States
November 20 & 21 | 7:30PM
Ohio Theatre
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Ann Toomey, soprano
Alice Chung, mezzo-soprano
Moises Salazar, tenor
Richard Ollarsaba, bass
Columbus Symphony Chorus
Stephen Caracciolo, chorus director
Verdi: Requiem
​​One of the most monumental of all choral works, Verdi’s Requiem was considered “too operatic” to be performed in the liturgical setting of an actual funeral mass—but this dramatic intensity is precisely what makes it unforgettable. From the terrifying Dies irae, with its swirling strings and thunderous bass drum (a favorite of the Ohio State University Marching Band), to the achingly beautiful Lacrimosa and the whispered opening that rises from near silence, the Requiem blends theatricality with profound reflection. Hear the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, joined by a quartet of exceptional guest soloists, bring to life this masterpiece by the great Italian opera composer.

Holiday Pops
2026-12-04 20:00 - 22:30 | Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, 43215, United States
Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Scarlett Strallen, vocalist
Troupe Vertigo, Ganchimeg Oyunchimeg
Columbus Symphony Chorus
Stephen Caracciolo, chorus director
Columbus Children’s Choir
Jeanne Wohlgamuth, artistic director
The Columbus Symphony brings magic to the Ohio Theatre in December, transforming it with a show of lights, festive music, heavenly voices, and seasonal cheer! The Columbus Symphony Chorus, Columbus Children’s Choir, and special guests join to present the most-loved holiday songs and carols!
In partnership with NBC4, the Columbus Symphony is collecting toys for the FireFighters 4 Kids toy drive! Bring an unwrapped toy, drop it off in the Galbreath Pavilion concessions area adjoining the main lobby, and receive one free lawn seat voucher to the 2027 Nationwide Picnic with the Pops OSU Marching Band performance.
Make memories and join us on the 4th floor for photos with Santa after the show!

Winter Music Festival: Shostakovich & Prokofiev
2027-01-15 19:30 - 21:30 | Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, 43215, United States
January 15 & 16 | 7:30PM
Ohio Theatre
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Dmitry Shishkin, piano
Paola Prestini: My Brilliant Friend: Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay
Prokofiev: Concerto No. 3 in C Major for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 26
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op. 47
Music Director Rossen Milanov brings back the Winter Music Festival with stunning works by Soviet-era masters to warm up a cold January night. The “electrifying and flamboyant” Dmitry Shishkin performs Prokofiev’s witty Third Piano Concerto, called “the most beautiful modern concerto for piano” when it premiered in 1921. Shostakovich’s popular Fifth Symphony begins with an icy and mysterious theme in the first movement and ends with a powerful and (seemingly) triumphant D-major finale. The concert opens with a new co-commissioned work by Paola Prestini, a composer “known for pushing the boundaries of classical music” (Wall Street Journal) with music that is “otherworldly…outright gorgeous” (New York Times).

Strauss & Dvořák
2027-01-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Southern Theatre, 21 East Main Street, Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
January 21 | 7:30PM
Southern Theatre
Elias Miller, conductor
R. Strauss: Suite in B-flat Major for Thirteen Wind Instruments, Op. 4
Sam Wu: Along the Pacific Flyway
Dvořák: Serenade in D Minor, Op. 44
Join Assistant Conductor Elias Miller for a charming chamber music performance. Dvořák’s Serenade for Winds, reminiscent of his Slavonic Dances, evokes the atmosphere of an old-World castle. Richard Strauss’s intimate suite for thirteen wind instruments is an early work from the master who would become known for epic tone poems and operas. Rising star composer Sam Wu writes music that “abounds in delicate colours, wisps of sound and sylvan textures” (Gramophone).

Vivaldi x Vivaldi
2027-01-22 19:30 - 21:30 | Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, 43215, United States
January 22 & 23 | 7:30PM
Ohio Theatre
Daniel Rowland, violin and conductor
Vivaldi: Trio Sonata No. 12 in D Minor, RV 63 “La Follia”
Vivaldi: Concerto in E-flat Major for Violin and Orchestra, RV 253 (“La tempesta di mare”)
Osvaldo Golijov: Tenebrae
Max Richter: The Four Seasons Recomposed
Violinist Daniel Rowland, known for his “fiery intensity” (Gramophone) leads the Columbus Symphony strings in a program that marries Baroque masterpieces with modern reinterpretations. Vivaldi’s “La Follia” Sonata is based on one of the oldest and most famous European musical themes, while his stormy “La tempesta di mare” concerto hails from the same series as the famous Four Seasons — which contemporary composer Max Richter has recomposed to critical and popular acclaim. Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov’s Tenebrae is inspired by the contrast between human violence and cosmic beauty.

Barber’s Adagio & Elgar’s Enigma
2027-02-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, 43215, United States
February 12 & 13 | 7:30PM
Ohio Theatre
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor
Jasmine Choi, flute
Jimmy López: Perú Negro
Nielsen: Concerto for Flute and Orchestra
Barber: Adagio for Strings
Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 (“Enigma Variations”)
Guest conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya, former music director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, opens this concert with Perú Negro, a piece he commissioned from star composer Jimmy López that is an exciting homage to Afro-Peruvian music. Virtuoso flautist Jasmine Choi, with a tone “glowing like gold [that] resonates like pearls” (Nikkei Daily Newspaper) performs the great Danish composer Carl Nielsen’s Flute Concerto before the Columbus Symphony ends the evening with two popular 20th-century works: Samuel Barber’s heart-rending Adagio for Strings has become synonymous with moments of national reflection and catharsis, while Edward Elgar’s “Enigma Variations” is a musical cryptogram depicting the composer’s inner circle, including the elegantly moving “Nimrod.”

Haydn's Creation
2027-03-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, 43215, United States
March 12 & 13 | 7:30PM
Ohio Theatre
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Aubry Ballarò, soprano
Jonas Hacker, tenor
Joel Balzun, baritone
Columbus Symphony Chorus
Stephen Caracciolo, chorus director
Haydn: The Creation, H. XXI:2
As one of the most influential figures in Classical music, Haydn is remembered as the father of both the string quartet and the symphony — but for his masterpiece The Creation, he turned to oratorio, combining orchestra, chorus, and soloists to illustrate a stunning musical depiction of the Book of Genesis. Soprano Aubry Ballarò, tenor Jonas Hacker, and baritone Joel Balzun sing as the archangels Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael, and later embody Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Fans of Handel’s Messiah will not want to miss the glorious singing of the Columbus Symphony Chorus and the orchestra’s tone painting of the chaos of the universe, bringing of light, and creation of heaven, earth, animals, and man.
This concert and continued support for the Columbus Symphony Chorus is made possible by longtime friend and benefactor of the Columbus Symphony, Anne H. Melvin.

Mahler's Fifth
2027-03-19 19:30 - 21:30 | Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, 43215, United States
March 19 & 20 | 7:30PM
Ohio Theatre
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Hovhaness: Symphony No. 2, “Mysterious Mountain”
Mahler: Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp Minor
Mahler’s monumental Fifth Symphony opens with an iconic trumpet solo leading a funeral march, but ends in lively, celebratory D major. It comprises a massive emotional journey, and along the way, we visit a Scherzo that highlights Austrian dances and horn solos, as well as the touching Adagietto for strings and harp — Mahler’s most famous composition and a musical love letter to his wife, Alma. The Second Symphony of prolific 20th-century American composer Alan Hovhaness, subtitled “Mysterious Mountain,” provides a sweeping and spiritual opening to the evening.
This concert is dedicated to the memory of Tom & Ruth Sloan.

Shostakovich & Sibelius
2027-04-02 19:30 - 21:30 | Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, 43215, United States
April 2 & 3 | 7:30PM
Ohio Theatre
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Joshua Roman, cello
Missy Mazzoli: Orpheus Undone
Shostakovich: Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 107
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43
Superstar cellist Joshua Roman, who has the “virtuoso flair of Hendrix himself” (Gramophone), tackles one of the most difficult works ever composed for his instrument, Shostakovich’s tragic yet exciting First Cello Concerto — originally written for and premiered by the legendary Mstislav Rostropovich. The concert opens with Orpheus Undone, a suite drawn from contemporary American composer Missy Mazzoli’s ballet that re-imagines the Greek myth of the musician Orpheus and his wife, Eurydice. We end the evening with Sibelius’s Second Symphony, which the composer called “a confession of the soul” and that, echoing Beethoven’s Fifth, concludes in sounds of glorious triumph.

Postcards in Music
2027-04-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, 43215, United States
April 9 & 10 | 7:30PM
Ohio Theatre
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Gabriela Martinez, piano
Respighi: Le fontane di Roma (The Fountains of Rome)
Ravel: Concerto in G Major for Piano and Orchestra
Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain for Piano and Orchestra
Debussy: La mer
Join the Columbus Symphony for an evening of musical postcards from Italy, Spain, and France. Respighi’s tone poem The Fountains of Rome takes us on a day-long sightseeing tour of the Fountain of Valle Giulia at dawn, the Triton Fountain in the morning, the Trevi Fountain at noon, and the Villa Medici Fountain at sunset. Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Martinez, praised as “elegant and incisive” by The New York Times, presents Ravel’s jazzy Piano Concerto in G, inspired by the sounds of Basque folk music, followed by Falla’s evocative Nights in the Gardens of Spain. We end by journeying into Debussy’s sketches of wind, waves, and the power of the sea.

Beethoven's Ode to Joy
2027-04-30 19:30 - 21:30 | Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, 43215, United States
April 30 & May 1 | 7:30PM
Ohio Theatre
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Lydia Grindatto, soprano
Mariya Kaganskaya, mezzo-soprano
Victor Starsky, tenor
Cumhur Görgün, bass-baritone
Columbus Symphony Chorus
Stephen Caracciolo, chorus director
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 (“Choral”)
“Joy, beautiful divine spark, daughter from Paradise!” Celebrate the conclusion of the Columbus Symphony’s landmark 75th anniversary season and herald the arrival of summer with one of the greatest symphonies ever written, Beethoven’s Ninth. This boundary-breaking work shattered convention and changed the course of musical history, and hearing it performed live is an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss the powerful voices of the Columbus Symphony Chorus as they join a quartet of guest artists and a massive orchestra to bring Beethoven’s inspirational Ode to Joy to life.
