Experience the grand symphonic tradition with thrilling performances, including Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, Beethoven’s Eroica, and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique.
Plus a special side-by-side performance with Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestra (ESYO) is included with the Masterwork Series.
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Soloist: Kristin Lee, violin
Program
Leonard Bernstein: West Side Story Overture
Vivian Fung: Violin Concerto
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5Kick off the Eugene Symphony’s 60th Anniversary Season with an electrifying evening of music and the Masterworks debut of our new Music Director, Alex Prior! Bernstein’s West Side Story Overture bursts to life with high-energy rhythms and iconic melodies. Virtuoso Kristin Lee then takes the stage for Vivian Fung’s Violin Concerto, a bold and mesmerizing showcase of artistry and innovation. The night builds to a thrilling finale with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, a powerful journey from fate to triumph. Celebrate 60 years of music, passion, and community with this unforgettable season opener.
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Young musicians from the Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestra will join forces with the Eugene Symphony in a powerful celebration of mentorship and music-making. As part of our 60th Anniversary Special Event, this inspiring program honors the Symphony’s rich legacy while looking ahead to the next 60 years. Performing alongside professional musicians, these talented students represent the future of symphonic music in our community, carrying forward a tradition of excellence and artistic growth.
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Soloist: Michelle Cann, piano
Program
Ortiz: Téenek
Price: Piano Concerto
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G
Ellington: Harlem SuiteA thrilling fusion of symphonic mastery and jazz-infused energy! Grammy Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann takes center stage for both Florence Price’s Piano Concerto, a work of rich lyricism and bold orchestral colors, and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G, a dazzling blend of elegance and swing. The evening begins with Gabriela Ortiz’s Téenek, pulsing with dynamic rhythms, and concludes with Duke Ellington’s Harlem Suite, a vibrant tribute to the heart of jazz. From bold orchestral textures to toe-tapping grooves, this concert is a celebration of rhythm, soul, and unstoppable energy!
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Program:
Handel: Messiah
Celebrate the season with Handel’s Messiah like you’ve never heard it before! Sir Eugene Goossens’ grand orchestration brings new depth and richness to this beloved masterpiece, enhancing its drama and power. From the soaring “Hallelujah” Chorus to the moving arias and choruses, this performance is a breathtaking holiday tradition. Experience the majesty, the emotion, and the triumph of Messiah in a way that will leave you uplifted and inspired!
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Program:
Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Mozart: Symphony No. 31 “Paris”
Berlioz: Symphonie FantastiqueFormer Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero returns for a night of musical brilliance and vivid storytelling! Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun opens with sensual, dreamlike melodies that transport you to a world of fantasy. Mozart’s Symphony No. 31 “Paris” sparkles with elegance and youthful energy, leading to the evening’s grand finale—Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, a wild and electrifying journey of love, obsession, and fate. Don’t miss this unforgettable homecoming!
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Soloist: Julian Rhee, violin
Program:
Strauss: Metamorphosen
Beethoven: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3Profound emotion and heroic triumph define this powerful evening of music. Strauss’ Metamorphosen opens with a deeply moving reflection on loss and resilience. Then, Korean-American violinist Julian Rhee, winner of the 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant, takes center stage for Beethoven’s soaring Violin Concerto. Praised for his refinement, beauty of sound, and “the kind of poise and showmanship that thrills audiences” (The Strad), Rhee brings artistry and passion to this masterpiece of elegance and virtuosity. The night culminates with Beethoven’s revolutionary Symphony No. 3 “Eroica”, a bold and powerful work that changed music forever. Don’t miss this unforgettable journey through passion, brilliance, and transformation!
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Soloist: Hanzhi Wang, accordion
Program:
Nina Shekhar: Accordion Concerto
Prokofiev: Romeo and JulietBrace yourself for an evening of drama and daring innovation! Nina Shekhar’s Accordion Concerto pushes musical boundaries with vibrant energy and unexpected colors. Then, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet sweeps you into Shakespeare’s timeless tale with thrilling intensity, soaring melodies, and heart-stopping emotion. Don’t miss this bold and unforgettable musical experience!
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Soloist: Bryce Schmidt, trumpet
Program:
Handel: Water Music
Bohme: Trumpet Concerto
Schumann: Symphony No. 3Let the music flow in this evening of brilliance and grandeur! Handel’s Water Music sparkles with regal elegance, setting the stage for Böhme’s Trumpet Concerto, a thrilling showcase of virtuosity and power. The night culminates with Schumann’s Symphony No. 3, a rich and triumphant tribute to the beauty of the Rhine. Don’t miss this night of sweeping melodies and radiant energy!
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Soloist: Claire Huangci, piano
Program:
Gabriella Smith: Tumblebird Contrails
Grieg: Piano Concerto
Nielsen: Symphony No. 4, The InextinguishableFeel the rush of nature and unrelenting power! Gabriella Smith’s Tumblebird Contrails paints a vivid soundscape of wind, waves, and wild motion. Grieg’s Piano Concerto then soars with breathtaking melodies and virtuosic fire. The evening climaxes with Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4, "The Inextinguishable", a fierce, defiant triumph of resilience and raw orchestral energy. Don’t miss this exhilarating ride!
The All Access Pass includes all of the Masterworks, Blockbusters, and the Side-by-Side with Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestras.