The Maryland Symphony Orchestra opens its 2025/2026 season with a celebration of the great orchestrators. Torke’s Bright Blue Music opens with vibrant, expansive sound, capturing the energy of life itself. Mahler’s Rückert Lieder, sung by bass-baritone Joseph Parrish, brings poetry and music together in a deeply emotional exploration of love and melancholy. The concert culminates with Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben, a dramatic and heroic orchestral journey that will captivate audiences with its sweeping narrative and bold sound. This program showcases the power of music, from vibrant and energetic to deeply reflective, through the works of three of the world’s most renowned composers.

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Heroic Journeys: Torke, Mahler & Strauss

The Maryland Theatre

Louis Andriessen was a maverick, provocateur, and the uncompromising godfather of European minimalism. In the 1970s and '80s, he shattered the boundaries between classical, jazz, and rock with a fiercely political edge and a defiantly amplified sound. Rejecting the lush traditions of the past, he championed stripped-back textures, pounding rhythms, and an ensemble of brass, electric guitars, and saxophones, more garage band than orchestra. Andriessen didn’t just compose; he confronted.

Danceworks

State Theatre Centre of WA

A post-minimalist jukebox celebrating the legacy of Louis Andriessen, whose propulsive, genre-crossing music profoundly transformed the global music scene and influenced generations of composers. Enjoy the bright, pop-driven sound of Michael Torke, the subtle dramatic turbulence of Andriessen’s Dances, the quirky individuality of Martijn Padding and Steve Martland’s swaggering muscularity.

Underground Series: Danceworks

There’s nothing like experiencing a great American orchestra performing great American music. You’ll hear two of Copland’s majestic masterpieces: Fanfare for the Common Man and his third symphony — probably the biggest American symphony ever written. The season finale also presents Torke’s Sky, written for violinist Tessa Lark, reflecting her Kentucky Bluegrass roots.

American Landscapes

Frauenthal Center

This recital is given in partial fulfillment of the degree Master of Music. Jeremy Davis is a student of Matthew Strauss.

Jeremy Davis, Percussion

Alice Pratt Brown Hall

GRAMMY-nominated violinist Tessa Lark returns to Williamsburg to play Torke’s bluegrass-inspired Sky. Bartok’s lively Romanian Folk Dances kick off the program, which closes with Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony—a hymn to nature filled with birdsong, babbling brooks, a thunderstorm, and even a German hoedown. Join us for an evening of musical virtuosity and artistic exploration that will leave you inspired and uplifted.

Masterworks #3 - Bluegrass & Beethoven

Williamsburg Community Chapel

Sandbox Percussion expands the breadth and depth of the percussion form through commissions of original work that broaden representation in chamber music. They create new musical experiences by transforming creative challenges into meaningful art that is shared with our community.

Sandbox Percussion

Join us for an unforgettable evening of musical exploration with the Long Beach Symphony's "Bluegrass & Beethoven" concert on February 1, 2025, at the Long Beach Terrace Theater. This innovative program promises to take you on a journey through the rhythmic landscapes of habaneras, bluegrass dances, and classical symphonies, showcasing the transformative power of music that bridges diverse traditions into a harmonious celebration.

The evening kicks off at 7:30 PM, with doors opening at 6:00 PM and a special Pre-Concert Talk at 6:30 PM, offering deeper insights into the night's programming. Held at the prestigious Long Beach Terrace Theater, located at 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802, this event is a must-attend for music lovers seeking an experience that combines the best of classical music with the spirited joy of bluegrass.

The concert features a carefully curated selection of pieces, starting with Arturo Marquez's Danzon No. 2, a vibrant composition that blends Contradance and Cuban habanera, followed by Michael Torke's Sky, a concerto designed for the extraordinary talents of violinist Tessa Lark, which pays homage to Kentucky's fiddling tradition. The program culminates with Beethoven's Symphony No. 1, presenting the composer's work in a light that reveals his capacity for joy and exuberance.

Under the baton of Music Director Eckart Preu, and featuring the remarkable Tessa Lark on violin, this concert is an exploration of musical and cultural terrain, from the lively dances of Mexico to the bluegrass fields of Kentucky, all leading to the classical grandeur of Beethoven.

Tickets are available for purchase through the Symphony box office at 562-436-3203 ext. 1, with options to renew your Classical Subscription or become a new subscriber. Additional ticketing information and fees may apply through TICKETMASTER.

Don't miss this unique blend of bluegrass and Beethoven, an evening that promises not only a concert but an immersive cultural experience.

Bluegrass & Beethoven

Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center

The works on Maestro Wesley Schulz’s beautiful program are inspired by the sea and sky. Nielsen’s Helios Overture was written while the composer was on holiday in Athens, and the music poetically depicts the sun over the Aegean Sea. Similarly, the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius wrote his optimistic Second Symphony while vacationing in an Italian coastal village. The touching work provided hope to the Finnish people while they fought against Russian oppression, and it became a symbol of national pride. Torke’s Sky Concerto, nominated for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in Music and premiered by Tessa Lark (who also received a Grammy nomination for her recording of the work), is infused with references to Lark’s Kentucky roots and background as bluegrass fiddler. Torke has written, “Just as when one looks up and sees the open expanse of the sky, I felt an openness when writing this piece, a renewed freshness to putting notes together.”

Sea and Sky

Florida State University

Dvořák Symphony No. 9

University of Colorado Boulder

A program of marimba music performed by percussion students of Matthew Strauss.

Chamber Music for Percussion

Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Beethoven's heroic style with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia's presentation of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto. This magnificent concert is set to take place at the prestigious Perelman Theater within The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, located at 300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Under the baton of esteemed Music Director David Hayes, the orchestra will perform on Friday, October 4, 2024, at 7:30 pm, and again on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 2:30 pm.

The concert will feature the extraordinary talents of Michelle Cann on the piano, whose performances have been described as exquisite by The Philadelphia Inquirer and of sterling artistry by Gramophone. The program includes Beethoven's Coriolan Overture and his Piano Concerto No. 5 Emperor, a piece that stands as a testament to Beethoven's resilience and creativity in the face of adversity, inspired by the events following Napoleon’s assault on Vienna in 1809. The concert will also showcase contemporary works by Adolphus Hailstork, Sagrada Sonata da Chiesa No. 2, and December by Michael Torke, adding a modern touch to the evening.

The entire performance is expected to last approximately 80 minutes, including an intermission, providing the audience with a deeply engaging and memorable musical experience. This event is a must-attend for classical music enthusiasts and those looking to experience the power and beauty of Beethoven's music, performed by some of the most talented musicians of our time. Tickets are available for purchase, offering a unique opportunity to witness the blend of historical masterpieces and contemporary compositions in one of Philadelphia's most iconic venues.

Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

In this triple bill program, experience works that showcase the artistic depth and technical virtuosity of Houston Ballet dancers. Stanton Welch’s Velocity, created for The Australian Ballet in 2003, is a study in speed, characterized by rapid precision. It serves as a compelling and dynamic showcase of the athleticism of the company dancers.


The return of Aszure Barton’s powerful Come In, crafted for her friend and mentor Mikhail Baryshnikov in 2006, highlights the strength of 13 male dancers. Barton’s eclectic works have graced countless international stages worldwide.

Velocity

Wortham Theater Center

Experience the magic of music at our Masterworks concert with Guest Conductor Christian Smith!

Masterworks Concert : New World Symphony

Covey Center for the Arts

Features the winners of the IVSO 2024 Young Performers Competition. Also features the exuberant Javelin by Michael Torke, the deep and brooding Our Town by Aaron Copland, the familiar Nordic themes of Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt, Suite No. 1, and the fairy-tale magic of Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite.

Celebrate Youth

LaSalle-Peru High School

The Company premiere of The Art of War leads Program Two. Created in 2015 by BalletMet’s Artistic Director Edwaard Liang, to be driving, pulsing, and powerful, he describes it as, “…about controlling chaos.” Choreographed during the opening stages of the Second World War, Ashton’s Dante Sonata continues the theme of conflict in Program Two. A synthesis of wartime symbolism and his reflections upon experiencing Franz Liszt’s score, the work enraptured Sarasota audiences during it’s Company Premiere. The triple bill closes with Paul Taylor’s Company B, framing the turbulent era of World War II through the songs of the Andrews Sisters. Combining moments of joy and hilarity with the heavy reality of war, Taylor creates a remarkable piece that perfectly exemplifies the duality of America in the 1940s.

Conflicted Beauty

Sarasota Opera House

Celebrate America’s 250th and the 2026 Winter Olympics with this inspiring program featuring Liv Warfield as the narrator for Lincoln Portrait.

Voices of a Nation

Prairie Home Alliance Theater

Filled with vitality and optimism, Bright Blue wraps you in a vivid wave of rhythm and color that’s impossible not to enjoy.

A Joyful Finale to an Epic Season!

Alaska Center for the Performing Arts

Celebrate the vibrant rhythms of American music with Torke’s dynamic Run, Freiberg’s lively Latin American Chronicles, and Copland’s bold Symphony No. 3. Featuring clarinet soloist Wesley Ferreira, this concert showcases the diverse energy that defines America’s musical spirit.

Rhythms: of Diversity and Energy

The Lincoln Center

We conclude the season with a spectacular finale featuring Respighi’s stunning depictions of Rome’s glorious landmarks in the Fountains of Rome and the Pines of Rome. Pianist Stewart Goodyear joins us for Rachmaninoff’s virtuosic Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, a thrilling showcase of technical brilliance. The program opens with Michael Torke’s audience favorite Javelin, a work commissioned by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympics and performed at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Pines of Rome

Boise State University

The Chamber Music Society of Salt Lake City presents SANDBOX PERCUSSION—known for their innovative performances and dynamic artistry—on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Libby Gardner Concert Hall on the University of Utah campus. This performance concludes the Society’s 60th Anniversary Season.

Michael Torke

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 7, 2024 - Apr 14, 2026

Chamber Music for Percussion · The Shepherd School of Music

Jan 23, 2026

Voices of a Nation · Peoria Symphony Orchestra

Apr 25, 2026

A Joyful Finale to an Epic Season! · Anchorage Symphony Orchestra

May 2, 2026

Rhythms: of Diversity and Energy · Fort Collins Symphony

16 - 17 May, 2026

Pines of Rome · Boise Philharmonic

Past events

11 - 12 Oct, 2025

Heroic Journeys: Torke, Mahler & Strauss · Maryland Symphony Orchestra

26 - 27 Jun, 2025

Danceworks · West Australian Symphony Orchestra

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