Conductor

Pianist

EPSG:4326

Sphinx Virtuosi at Gilmore Festival

Chenery Auditorium

Pianist Awadagin Pratt joins Daniel Hope and New Century for this program of potent 20th century American works for strings that speak to our collective emotions. Coping with the senselessness of war is the heartbeat of the program’s first half, with composer Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson confronting his concerns about the Korean War through his work Grass. In contrast, composer David Diamond wrote his exuberant work Rounds to dispel the gloomy wartime mood of the 1940s in vivid fashion. The program closes with Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade (after Plato’s Symposium), an epic work for solo violin, strings and percussion inspired by the ancient Greek debate over love in its many forms.

Love & War

First Congregational Church

Presidio Theatre Performing Arts Center

Sonoma State University

Welcome June and the leading edge of summer! Our final concert begins with Anton Bruckner’s rousing “Romantic” Symphony, so named by Bruckner himself and inspired by his vision of a day in the life of a medieval village from dawn to dusk. The audience will hear the morning horn call welcoming the day ahead, the thundering hooves of mounted knights departing the castle, the frenzy of a hunt, and the revelry of a village meal and festival to end the long and eventful day. Then, the Symphony closes this concert and its 2023-2024 season with the help of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who gave the world perhaps the second-most well-known four-note opening salvo in the classical music canon with the opening notes of his Piano Concerto no.1, among the most popular and most performed piano concertos. Virtuoso pianist Awadagin Pratt – famed for his formidable technique as well as his love for pranking and colorful concert attire – joins the Symphony for a fiery finish. Don’t miss this scintillating season finale.

Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1

Terrace Theater, Long Beach Performing Arts Center

The ISO welcomes back pianist Awadagin Pratt, described as “one of the great and distinctive American pianists of our time,” performing Beethoven’s brooding 3rd Piano Concerto. South Carolinian conductor Joseph Young makes his ISO debut with Dvořák’s 7th Symphony, a piece that experts agree “is among the greatest and purest examples of the symphonic art-form.”

Beethoven And Dvořák

Hilbert Circle Theatre

Join Sphinx Virtuosi, the trailblazing 18-member string orchestra from the Detroit-based Sphinx Organization, in its Symphony Center debut. The group performs masterpieces by prominent Black and Latino composers — including Jessie Montgomery’s 2024 Grammy Award-winning Rounds — delivering an unforgettable performance lauded for its “joyous and uplifting” energy (Financial Times).

Sphinx Virtuosi

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Join us for an unforgettable evening with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as we present a groundbreaking performance featuring the talents of Na'Zir McFadden, Awadagin Pratt, and Kris Johnson. This special event will showcase new works that promise to captivate and inspire audiences.

**Event Highlights:**
- **World Premiere by Kris Johnson:** Experience the debut of an original composition by the award-winning Detroit composer and trumpeter, Kris Johnson. His work is known for its depth and innovation, making this premiere a must-see for music enthusiasts.
- **Performances by Na'Zir McFadden and Awadagin Pratt:** Under the baton of conductor Na'Zir McFadden, with virtuoso Awadagin Pratt on piano, the evening will feature two recent masterpieces by acclaimed composer Jessie Montgomery. Montgomery's "Snapshots" and Grammy Award-nominated "Rounds" will be performed, offering a blend of vibrant soundscapes and evocative themes.
- **A Celebration of Musical Talent:** This event not only highlights the compositions of Jessie Montgomery but also celebrates the artistic achievements of the performers. Na'Zir McFadden, known for his dynamic conducting style and community engagement, and Awadagin Pratt, renowned for his profound musical insight, will bring their exceptional talents to the stage.

**Venue and Date:**
- **Location:** Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI
- **Dates:** Friday, February 28 - Saturday, March 1, 2025
- **Duration:** 2 hours

**Ticket Information:**
- Tickets start at a special price, offering a range of seating options to accommodate all attendees. Ensure you secure your spot for this unique musical experience by visiting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's website for more details.

**Why Attend?**
This event is a celebration of innovation, talent, and the power of music to connect and transform. Whether you're a long-time classical music lover or new to the scene, this performance is an excellent opportunity to witness the premiere of new works and enjoy the artistry of renowned musicians.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary evening with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Book your tickets now and be part of a musical journey that promises to be both inspiring and unforgettable.

Awadagin Pratt

Conductor, Pianist

Events

Apr 29, 2024

Sphinx Virtuosi at Gilmore Festival · Sphinx Organization

2 - 4 May, 2024

Love & War · New Century Chamber Orchestra

Jun 1, 2024

Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 · Long Beach Symphony

Jan 31 - Feb 1, 2025

Beethoven And Dvořák · Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Feb 25, 2025

Sphinx Virtuosi · Chicago Symphony Orchestra

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