Tortured by comparisons to Beethoven, it took Brahms 21 years to finish writing his first symphony. Some critics hailed the piece as “Beethoven’s Tenth” in recognition of Brahms’ ultimate triumph.

EPSG:4326

Brahms Obsessions

Lesher Center for the Arts

With moments of melancholy longing and shimmering brilliance, Sibelius’ concerto has become a beloved work for violin for offering its soloist a chance to show not only their technical skill but their expressiveness as well. Three-time Grammy Award winner Hilary Hahn is highly regarded for her ability to “wring maximum dramatic impact from every opportunity” from Sibelius’ landmark and “dig deeply into its inner meanings” (The Chicago Tribune). Alpesh Chauhan, Music Director of the Birmingham Opera Company, brings his own acclaimed sense of drama to Tchaikovsky’s timeless melodies and romance in selections from Swan Lake.

Sibelius and Swan Lake

Walt Disney Concert Hall

We celebrate the cultures and diversity captured in wonderful music for the orchestra. This program introduces important symphonic works written in America that embody specific elements and tell stories of cultures from around the world and around the community. Each of us can define our lives through the music we love. This concert shows how composers take the music of their lives and share it for all to learn from and enjoy.

Family: Cultures Crossing

Old Forester's Paristown Hall

Stirring music that’s full of emotion and drama, with Tchaikovsky’s powerful final symphony as its conclusion.

Tchaikovsky Passion

California Symphony’s Young American Composer-in-Residence (2023-26) Saad Haddad presents his second commission for the orchestra. 
Grażyna Bacewicz incorporates Polish folk themes in a piece that features intense moments of drama and a demanding and virtuosic lead role for piano, played here by internationally acclaimed pianist David Fung.
Tchaikovsky’s sixth and final symphony is also known as the Pathétique, but the composer originally called it the Passionate. Grand, sweeping, and with themes you’ll recognize from movies and pop culture, it’s one of the Russian melody master’s most popular and frequently performed works. 

Saad Haddad

Events

Upcoming events

22 - 23 Mar, 2025

Tchaikovsky Passion · California Symphony

22 - 23 Mar, 2025

Tchaikovsky Passion · Lesher Center for the Arts

Past events

4 - 5 May, 2024

Brahms Obsessions · California Symphony

20 - 22 Oct, 2023

Sibelius and Swan Lake · Los Angeles Philharmonic

About

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