Conductor

Experience an enchanting evening with the Nashville Symphony as they perform "Symphony Under the Stars: The Music of John Williams" at the Ascend Amphitheater. Under the baton of conductor Nathan Aspinall, the orchestra will bring to life the timeless and iconic scores of John Williams, the most beloved film score composer of all time. The program will feature masterful orchestrations from some of Williams' most celebrated works, including the epic themes of Star Wars, the adventurous melodies of Indiana Jones, the magical tunes of Harry Potter, the thrilling compositions of Jurassic Park, and the heroic anthems of Superman, among others. This event promises a captivating musical journey through the soundtracks that have defined generations of cinematic experiences. Join the Nashville Symphony for an unforgettable night under the stars, celebrating the genius of John Williams and the power of his music to evoke wonder, excitement, and nostalgia.

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The Music of John Williams

Ascend Amphitheater

The Unicorn’s Birthday™ is a gentle, fantasy-and-fun-filled symphony experience. Join the family-friendly birthday celebration brimming with music, narration, fun sounds, captivating on-stage activity, animation, and audience participation. There’s even a visit from the Birthday Unicorn!

The Unicorn’s Birthday

Shermerhorn Symphony Center

Lunar New Year is the most broadly observed holiday in Asian culture, and the Nashville Symphony’s inaugural Lunar New Year program will reflect how different communities and ethnic groups celebrate the occasion. Nashville Symphony Associate Conductor Nathan Aspinall will conduct the concert which marks the Year of the Dragon and features arrangements of traditional melodies and original music from Chinese composers He Zhanhou, Chen Gang, and Li Huanzhi; and Singaporean composers Phoon Yew Tien and Kelly Tang. Erhu virtuoso Ma Xiaohui, who performed with Yo-Yo Ma on the award-winning soundtrack of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, will be the featured soloist, performing excerpts from He Zhanhao and Chen Gang’s The Butterfly Lovers Concerto and the traditional melody “Horse Racing.” In addition, Jen-Jen Lin, Director/Artistic Director of the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville, will create original choreography for Li Huanzhi’s Spring Festival Overture.  The concert culminates with Igor Stravinsky’s Suite from The Firebird, a classic symphonic concert work nodding to the Year of the Dragon by evoking a mythical, winged creature. 

Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon

Associate Conductor Nathan Aspinall conducts our annual concert shining the spotlight on an up-and-coming pianist. The phenomenally gifted Janice Carissa takes the stage for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17 — premiered in 1784 by one of Mozart’s rising star students. Anna Clyne’s This Midnight Hour, inspired by poetry, makes full use of the spectrum of colors in the orchestra. And Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 was penned at the height of WWII as “a hymn to free and happy Man…his pure and noble spirit.”

Clyne, Mozart, and Prokofiev

Philharmonia Fantastique: The Making of the Orchestra is a GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-media concerto from composer Mason Bates accompanying an animated film by a multi-Oscar-winning creative team. Guided by a magical Sprite, the families of instruments in the orchestra overcome their differences to demonstrate “unity from diversity” in a spectacular finale.

Philharmonia Fantastique

Experience the enchanting world of "Wild Symphony," a captivating concert that brings the animal kingdom to life through music and poetry. Conducted by Nathan Aspinall and performed by the Nashville Symphony, this unique event features nearly two dozen musical portraits inspired by various creatures, from the depths of the forest to the vastness of the ocean. The concert is based on the original works of author and composer Dan Brown, who has masterfully blended his poetic narratives with orchestral compositions to create an immersive auditory journey.

"Wild Symphony" is designed to be a sensory-friendly experience, offering accommodations for patrons on the autism spectrum and those with sensory sensitivities. The event also includes engaging pre-concert activities starting at 2 PM, such as crafts and an interactive Instrument Petting Zoo, making it a delightful outing for families. Join Maestro Mouse and his musical friends as they guide you through a symphonic adventure that celebrates the beauty and diversity of the animal world.

Wild Symphony

Nashville Symphony Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Celebrate the 150th birthday of the iconic French composer Maurice Ravel with the Nashville Symphony, under the baton of Resident Conductor Nathan Aspinall. Known for his innovative approach to classical music, Ravel's compositions are celebrated for their intricate orchestrations and the seamless integration of various musical styles, including modernism, baroque, neoclassicism, and jazz. This special concert will feature some of Ravel’s most significant works, offering a rich tapestry of his musical genius. The program includes the enchanting Mother Goose Suite, the powerful Concerto for the Left Hand, the swirling dance rhythms of La Valse, and his most beloved piece, Bolero. Each composition showcases Ravel's unique ability to blend different musical elements into cohesive and captivating works, making this concert a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy in the world of classical music. Join the Nashville Symphony as they bring to life the timeless beauty and complexity of Ravel's masterpieces.

Ravel at 150

### Beethoven's Eroica Symphony in San Jose

**Event:** Beethoven's Eroica Symphony  
**Dates and Times:** 
- Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.

**Location:** California Theatre, San Jose, CA

**Concert Length:** Approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, including an intermission.

**Pre-Concert Music Notes:** Occur one hour prior to the concert in the auditorium.

**Artists:** 
- Nathan Aspinall, Conductor
- Symphony San Jose

**Program:**
1. **Arvo Pärt** - *Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten*
2. **Richard Strauss** - *Death and Transfiguration*
3. **Ludwig van Beethoven** - *Symphony No. 3 Eroica*

**About This Performance:**
March heralds a powerful musical experience with a program that showcases the depth of human emotion and artistic expression. Beethoven's Eroica Symphony, one of his most celebrated works and his personal favorite, delves into the essence of humanity. Richard Strauss' tone poem, *Death and Transfiguration*, portrays the reflective and transformative thoughts of a dying artist. Additionally, this concert marks the first performance by Symphony San Jose of a work by Arvo Pärt, the most performed contemporary composer globally.

**Tickets:** 
- Available for purchase online.
- Subscription options available for savings.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Symphony San Jose website or contact their ticket office at 408-286-2600.

Beethoven's Eroica

California Theatre

Experience the delightful fusion of literature and music with "Slopera: A Bite-Sized Opera," inspired by Mo Willems' beloved book "I Really Like Slop." This unique performance brings the charming characters Elephant and Piggie to life in a setting where they have always belonged: the opera. The libretto, crafted by Mo Willems himself, is beautifully complemented by the music of Carlos Simon, creating an afternoon filled with drama and laughter that is perfect for the entire family. 

The event features the Nashville Symphony under the baton of conductor Nathan Aspinall, promising a captivating musical journey. Adding to the excitement, the concert includes free, family-friendly pre-concert activities starting at 2 PM, such as crafts and an interactive Instrument Petting Zoo. This performance is also designed to be sensory-friendly, offering accommodations for patrons on the autism spectrum and those with sensory sensitivities. 

"Slopera" is more than just a concert; it is an immersive experience that combines the joy of storytelling with the grandeur of operatic music, making it an unforgettable event for audiences of all ages.

Nathan Aspinall

Conductor

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 17, 2024

Wild Symphony · Nashville Symphony

Feb 1, 2025

Ravel at 150 · Nashville Symphony

8 - 9 Mar, 2025

Beethoven's Eroica · Symphony San Jose

Apr 6, 2025

Slopera · Nashville Symphony

Past events

Jun 28, 2024

The Music of John Williams · Nashville Symphony

May 12, 2024

The Unicorn’s Birthday · Nashville Symphony

Future and recently performed repertoire

Conductor in The Firebird by Stravinsky

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in Piano Concerto No. 17 by Mozart

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in Symphony No. 5 by Prokofiev

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in Death and Transfiguration by Strauss

Symphony San Jose

Conductor in Spring Festival Overture by Huanzhi

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in Philharmonia Fantastique by Bates

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in This Midnight Hour by Clyne

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten by Pärt

Symphony San Jose

Conductor in Star Wars by Williams

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in Indiana Jones by Williams

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in The Butterfly Lovers Concerto by Zhanhao

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in La valse by Ravel

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in Mother Goose Suite by Ravel

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in Concerto for the Left Hand by Ravel

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in Symphony No. 3 Eroica by Beethoven

Symphony San Jose

Conductor in Bolero by Ravel

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in Wild Symphony by Brown

Nashville Symphony

Conductor in I Really Like Slop by Willems

Nashville Symphony

About

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