Experience the evocative compositions of Anna Clyne in Florida's premier cultural hubs. From the Sarasota Orchestra's 'Passion And Pride' at the Sarasota Opera House to the Naples Philharmonic's 'Ehnes Plays Tchaikovsky,' and the New World Symphony's 'Denève: Music in (Techni)Color' at Miami's New World Center, Clyne's dynamic works will captivate music lovers. Don't miss the choral grandeur of 'Ode to Joy' by the Naples Philharmonic, all showcasing the brilliance of Clyne's artistry.

Anna Clyne's Musical Masterpieces Enliven Sarasota, Naples, and Miami

Get ready to celebrate the musical genius of Leonard Bernstein with a series of captivating events across Florida. From Sarasota's Gershwin celebration to Miami Beach's Nu Deco Ensemble finale featuring Alfredo Rodríguez, Orlando's intimate evening with Jamie Bernstein, Jacksonville's Broadway classics, West Palm Beach's enchanting 'Peter Pan,' Vero Beach and Stuart's brass quintet performances, and the London Symphony Orchestra's tour in Naples, West Palm Beach, and Miami, there's something for every music lover to enjoy.

Leonard Bernstein's Legacy: Captivating Concerts Across Florida in 2024-2025

Get ready, Sarasota! This season is set to be a musical and dance extravaganza as the Sarasota Orchestra and The Sarasota Ballet bring the timeless works of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to life. From the mesmerizing 'Violin Concerto' at 'Sounds of Nature' to the enchanting 'Nutcracker' ballet, there's something for every classical music and dance lover. Each event promises to capture the essence of Tchaikovsky’s genius in the beautiful settings of Sarasota’s finest venues.

Celebrating Tchaikovsky: A Season of Masterpieces in Sarasota

This season, the Sarasota Orchestra presents an extraordinary lineup of events celebrating the genius of Ludwig van Beethoven across Sarasota and Bradenton. Dive into the electrifying sounds of 'Beethoven’s Seventh' with GRAMMY Award-winning pianist Yefim Bronfman, revel in the festive charm of 'Beethoven and Brass,' experience the 'Heroic Spirit' in a series of powerful performances, and be mesmerized by 'Grand Treasures' featuring Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto. Each event promises to be a feast for the senses, showcasing the timeless appeal of Beethoven’s masterpieces.

Celebrate Beethoven in Sarasota and Bradenton: A Symphony of Events

Join the Sarasota Orchestra as it embarks on a musical journey through time and emotion, offering an eclectic mix of concerts from December 2024 to February 2025. From Beethoven's powerful symphonies to the soulful rhythms of Marvin Gaye and James Brown, the lineup promises an unforgettable experience for every music lover. Featuring world-renowned artists like Yefim Bronfman and Anne Akiko Meyers, each performance is crafted to resonate with audiences through the joy, nostalgia, and heroism embedded in each note.

A Symphony of Seasons: Celebrating Music with Sarasota Orchestra

The Sarasota Orchestra's 2025 season promises a vibrant tapestry of sounds, emotions, and experiences. From the classical genius of Beethoven and Ravel to the nostalgic tunes of TV classics, and the melodious echoes of Broadway, the diverse lineup is set to captivate audiences of all tastes. Featuring renowned artists like Anne Akiko Meyers and Natasha Paremski, the season highlights the versatility and allure of orchestral music. Delve into soul, romance, and even comedic notes as the orchestra embarks on a musical journey that transcends genres and eras.

Sarasota Orchestra's 2025 Season: A Symphony of Diverse Sounds and Experiences

Sarasota Orchestra is set to captivate audiences with its dynamic 2025 season, offering a spectacular lineup of events that celebrate heroism, nostalgia, soul, and love. From Beethoven's 'Coriolan Overture' to Ravel’s 'Bolero,' and iconic television tunes, the season promises a rich blend of musical styles. With renowned artists like violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and pianist Natasha Paremski, the orchestra brings masterpieces to life, accompanied by Broadway's brightest stars and soul legends. Join us as we delve into the vibrant world of Sarasota Orchestra’s upcoming performances.

Sarasota Orchestra's Vibrant Season: A Fusion of Classical, Soul, and Broadway Flair

The Sarasota Orchestra and The Sarasota Ballet are set to captivate audiences with an outstanding lineup of events, ranging from classical masterpieces to modern musical tributes. Highlights include Holst’s The Planets, a musical comedy concert, a tribute to John Williams, and invigorating performances by renowned artists. This season promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music and dance, showcasing the talents of conductors, violinists, and pianists, along with stunning choreography that will leave you wanting more.

A Journey Through Music: Sarasota's Unforgettable Concert Season

Embark on an unforgettable musical journey with Sarasota's finest events celebrating iconic composers and transcendent works. From John Williams' film scores, captivating ballet performances, to a musical journey through history's greatest hits, and an intriguing reimagining of Vivaldi's masterpieces, these events offer a blend of nostalgia and innovation. Experience the magic of live music and dance performances at renowned venues, as expert conductors and talented performers take the stage, bringing cultural classics to life.

Immersive Musical Experiences: Celebrating Icons, Ballet, and Timeless Classics

At age 91, John Williams won his 26th GRAMMY. From Harry Potter to Indiana Jones, Williams is one of America’s most iconic composers of film scores that are on track to become timeless. Stuart Chafetz leads the Orchestra in this special tribute featuring music from Star Wars, E.T., Schindler’s List, Superman, Close Encounters, Jaws, Hook, The Cowboys, and more!

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Celebrate John Williams

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Jon Kimura Parker, a veteran of the international concert stage, brings his infectious enthusiasm to Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto, which travels from turbulence to serenity to exuberance. Brahms’ astonishing Fourth Symphony is a perennial audience favorite. The program opens with a personal touch in the premiere of Horizons, a commission from American composer Peter Boyer to honor longtime Sarasota Orchestra Artistic Administrator Pat Joslyn.

Grand Treasures

Romeo and Juliet

Four 20th-century masterpieces close out the chamber season. Ligeti’s music has been utilized in film scores by Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese. Shostakovich dedicated his brief string quartet to his wife, Nina, who had died unexpectedy. Bozza’s brass quintet is a virtuosic showpiece. The program concludes with Ravel's Introduction and Allegro, a glorious work showcasing the harp.

20th Century Masters

Sarasota Orchestra

This concert promises big grins and hearty laughs. Leroy Anderson’s The Typewriter features the real thing as a solo instrument! You will delight to the Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra from Indiana Jones, plus music from La Cage aux Folles and The Producers.

A Musical Comedy

One of the most influential works on and off the concert stage, Holst’s The Planets is captivating from start to finish. Violinist Grace Park brings her “fresh, different and exhilarating” (San Francisco Chronicle) talents to Dvořák’s lilting Romance and Ravel’s entrancing Tzigane. Vaughan Williams’ delightful Overture to The Wasps opens this stellar program!

The Planets

Neel Performing Arts Center

Three leading ladies from the Broadway stage, including Glinda and Elphaba from Wicked and Mary Poppins herself, light up the stage in an evening of popular Broadway hits. Performed at Carnegie Hall, the show features soaring vocals and beautiful music from Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Funny Girl, Gypsy, A Chorus Line, and many others.

3 Divas from Broadway

Fiesta! by Jimmy López Bellido is an exuberant mix of European traditions with Afro-Peruvian and popular music vibes. Steven Banks performs Billy Childs’ Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra, taking the listener through a Black American experience from Africa through enslavement to empowerment. Richard Strauss' gorgeous Suite from Der Rosenkavalier is the perfect preamble to Ravel’s fantastic La Valse.

Melting Pot of Music

Our annual Valentine's Day-themed concert is an audience favorite. Enjoy romantic favorites, including "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca, selections from West Side Story, Cinderella Overture, "My Funny Valentine," and "Some Enchanted Evening."

Crazy for You

Masterpieces for strings, winds, and piano are paired in this powerful program. Poulenc’s lighthearted sextet is an energetic romp, offering jazzy riffs and wistful melancholy. Dvořák composed his G-major string quintet just as he was beginning to gain international recognition. The addition of a double bass to the standard string quartet adds a powerful depth of sound.

Poulenc and Dvořák

Kings of Soul showcases the music of legendary artists Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Otis Redding, The Temptations, Barry White, Smokey Robinson, and more in an evening of soulful rhythms. Honoring the “kings” of classic soul, featured hits include “Shop Around,” “Get Ready,” “Try a Little Tenderness,” “Stand By Me,” and “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher.”

Kings Of Soul

Themes from television shows are some of our fondest memories, creating rich and nostalgic images in our minds. You’ll revel in classical tunes made popular by Looney Tunes and Popeye and smile to music from The Flintstones, Star Trek, and Downton Abbey.

TV Tunes and Treasures

Honoring the 150th anniversary of Maurice Ravel’s birth, this concert showcases his wildly popular Bolero. Of a Spring Morning by Lili Boulanger sparkles with the energy of new life. Pianist Natasha Paremski brings her dazzling dynamism to Ravel’s jazz-infused Piano Concerto. Dvořák’s Symphony No. 6 was the work that brought international recognition to the great Czech master.

Ravel’s Bolero

Launching a program centering on heroism and joy, Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture depicts the inner turmoil of a Roman warrior. Shostakovich battled his own internal demons in his emotionally charged Symphony No. 5. Trailblazing violinist Anne Akiko Meyers makes her Sarasota Orchestra debut in Arturo Márquez’s Fandango for violin and orchestra, imbued with playful dance rhythms and intoxicating melodies from Márquez's beloved Mexico.

Heroic Spirit

State College of Florida - SCF Bradenton

Much of Mozart’s young life was spent on the road, showing off his talents as a musical prodigy in the capitals of Europe. Hear 15-year-old prodigy Anwen Deng as she performs a movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20, as well as the premiere of a Mozart-inspired work by brilliant 12-year-old composer Isaac Thomas. Enjoy music of two of Mozart's idols: Haydn and Bach.

Mozart On the Road

Sarasota Opera House

Take a break from the holiday whirlwind with this enchanting program of timeless favorites. Farkas' sparkling folk dance adaptations for wind quintet evokes the village festivities of a bygone era. Beethoven’s E-flat major quartet for piano and strings features a highly virtuosic piano score that Beethoven wrote for himself. The brilliant sounds of holiday brass conclude this festive program.

Beethoven and Brass

Fanciful Journey

Let Sarasota Orchestra be a part of your holiday traditions. Enjoy festive music that underscores the merry and bright feelings of this special time of year. Music includes A Klezmer Nutcracker, Sleigh Ride , Skater's Waltz, and Joy to the World.

Merry and Bright

GRAMMY Award-winning pianist Yefim Bronfman makes his Sarasota Orchestra debut as soloist in Brahms' monumental Piano Concerto No. 1. Called “a powerhouse pianist with a tone of crystalline clarity” (Los Angeles Times), Bronfman’s artistry is in high demand worldwide. The program opens with Carlos Simon’s 2020 homage to Beethoven, Fate Now Conquers, with the explosive jubilation of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony as this concert's crown.

Beethoven’s Seventh

Giselle

The operas of Giuseppe Verdi have been an important part of the history of Sarasota Opera, the only company to have presented all of his works. Principal Artists from the Sarasota Opera with the Sarasota Orchestra, conducted by Victor DeRenzi, will present selections from these great works in concert.

Verdi Concert

World-renowned violinist Vadim Gluzman opens the Masterworks season with Tchaikovsky’s towering Violin Concerto, a magnificent combination of breathtaking melodies and stunning virtuosity. Following Sibelius’ majestic Finlandia and Rautavaara’s tribute to the birds of the Arctic, the program concludes with Respighi’s Pines of Rome . From the Villa Borghese to the Appian Way, Respighi’s brilliant work never fails to thrill as it peaks in a blaze of brassy glory.

Sounds of Nature

Franz Schubert was 27 years old when he was commissioned to write a large-scale work in the style of Beethoven’s Septet, Op. 20. Taking Beethoven’s instrumentation and adding an extra violin, Schubert created an Octet for string quartet, double bass, clarinet, bassoon, and horn that has become one of the most beloved masterpieces of the chamber music repertoire.

Schubert Octet

Get in the spirit for Halloween with music from the theater and movies, featuring a little bit of adventure and possibly a touch of fright. You’ll thrill to music from Chicago, Phantom of the Opera , Murder on the Orient Express, Vertigo, and some other surprises.

Reel Intrigue

A veritable feast of Baroque gems opens the Chamber Soirée season. Ceremonial brass set the stage for J.S. Bach’s festive Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 for strings. The percussion have their moment with Philador’s March for Two Pairs of Timpani, which was first performed for King Louis XIV in 1683. Igor Stravinsky's glorious Neo-Baroque Pulcinella Suite concludes this royal banquet.

Mendelssohn and Maslanka

Celebrate the legendary George Gershwin and his extraordinary impact on American music. This thrilling evening will feature a dollop of jazz, blues, and dance rhythms. Hear how Gershwin's influence echoes through the years in this enticing program showcasing Kevin Cole, widely considered the finest Gershwin pianist in the country

Gershwin’s American Dream

Baroque Banquet

Passion And Pride

Romantic Reveries

Rising Stars 3

Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center

Lustrous Sounds

Robert Levin discusses the art of improvisation in this year’s Levin Lecture. Come prepared with a list of tunes—as part of his presentation, Levin will improvise upon melodies the audience suggests.

Levin Lecture

Rising Stars 2

American Soundscapes

Tales And Tributes

Something Old, Something New

Rising Stars 1

Beethoven and Mendelssohn are icons of classical music. Don’t miss the chance to hear two of the most popular composers of all time. The not-to-be missed concert also features the Festival debut of two spectacular artists. Conductor Stephanie Childress makes her Festival debut with the music of Indian-American composer Reena Esmail, who weaves Hindustani ragas and Western classical techniques in the captivating, tuneful 11-minute Teen Murti ( Three Statues ). SMF Alumna Rachel Breen takes time out from her thriving European career to make her Festival solo debut with Ludwig van Beethoven’s bold Piano Concerto No. 1. The program concludes with a final first—Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 1, composed when he was just 15 and bursting with youthful vigor.

Beethoven And Mendelssohn

Bach And Beyond

Two, Three, Four

New Beginnings

What would have been on Tchaikovsky’s playlist? Conductor David Alan Miller offers a “sampler platter” of works by some of Tchaikovsky’s musical heroes, featuring beloved pieces by Bizet, Grieg, Schumann and Mozart. The program concludes with virtuoso cellist Zlatomir Fung performing Tchaikovsky’s timeless “Rococo” Variations—a glorious glimpse into the soul of one of music’s most treasured composers.

Becoming Tchaikovsky

Back to the ‘80s is a power-packed evening of the decade’s number-one songs, including Madonna’s “Material Girl,” Cyndi Lauper’s first smash hit, “Time After Time,” and “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis & the News. Featuring the music of a multitude of iconic ‘80s stars—such as Queen, Phil Collins, Stevie Nicks, and Heart—Back to the ‘80s contains all-new arrangements by GRAMMY-winner Jeff Tyzik belted out by three incredible vocalists. Experience your Sarasota Orchestra, amped up on the field at the Orioles’ Ed Smith Stadium, in an evening of hits and home runs that concludes with a dazzling fireworks display.

Decades: Back To The 80s

Musical genius knows no borders. Join Christopher Confessore and Sarasota Orchestra in a journey across continents in search of glorious music. From Strauss’ Blue Danube to beloved works by Puccini and Elgar, the sonic riches are endless. Sarasota Orchestra Concertmaster Daniel Jordan celebrates his own “fantastic voyage,” marking 25 years in the Orchestra with a performance of Johan Svendsen’s Romance for Violin and Orchestra.

Fantastic Voyage

Capathia Jenkins is a powerhouse performer with a sensational, soaring voice that the Chicago Tribune calls “sweet, smart, sassy, and full of soul.” In this can’t-miss concert, Jenkins joins Sarasota Orchestra for an evening of soulful hits from Toni Braxton, Chaka Khan, Adele, and more. Hear perennial favorites such as “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Rolling in the Deep” as you’ve never heard them before.

She’s Got Soul

Pianist Joyce Yang, a favorite of Sarasota audiences, returns to our stage as soloist in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24. One of Mozart’s most striking concertos, the work rolls with a stormy turbulence. Yang is joined by Austrian conductor Katharina Wincor, who makes her Sarasota Orchestra debut. The program also features Dvořák’s popular Symphony No. 8, a tribute to the composer’s beloved Bohemia translated into sonic terrain filled with birdsong, rustling leaves, and folk dances. Sarasota native Roger Zare named his ten-minute NEOWISE after the comet that flared across our skies in 2020.

Yang Plays Mozart

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of symphonic fun with Sarasota Orchestra. Led by Alexander Jiménez, the Orchestra will light up listeners of all ages in this 60-minute concert featuring Peter and the Wolf, Prokofiev’s “symphonic fairy tale for children” narrated by Victor Fernandez, and other familiar favorites. Tickets start at just $5 for this up-close encounter with Sarasota Orchestra, with a Spanish version of the performance at 4:00pm.

Peter And The Wolf

Sarasota Orchestra’s wind and brass quintets take center stage in a program of masterpieces. Carl Nielsen had a fondness for nature and all “living, breathing things.” His wind quintet is a remarkable staple of the repertoire, highlighting the sounds and personalities of the individual instruments. Victor Ewald was an engineer with a special affinity for the brass family. His Quintet No. 3 showcases the performers’ prowess as it gifts a tuneful, Romantic-era gem to the audience.

Classics For Wind And Brass

Enjoy the fun as Sarasota Orchestra celebrates the 100th anniversary of the premiere of George Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue. American pianist Michelle Cann joins as the soloist in this blockbuster, as well as Florence Price’s extraordinary Piano Concerto. The concert’s effervescent opening brings you the cheeky wit of Rossini’s Overture to The Thieving Magpie. Creative Partner Peter Oundjian returns to Sarasota to lead these works, as well as Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. One of Tchaikovsky’s most personal pieces, the symphony packs an emotional wallop with a triumphant conclusion.

Rhapsody In Blue @ 100

You don’t have to be Irish to get your green on for this St. Patrick’s Day shindig! Composers the world over have long delighted in paying homage to the music of the Emerald Isle. High-energy conductor Steven Jarvi takes you on a shamrock-filled tour of all things Irish, from Leroy Anderson’s peppy Irish Suite to the gorgeous strains of “Danny Boy.”

Luck Of The Irish

Audiences raved over his electrifying Billy Joel tribute, and now pianist and vocalist Michael Cavanaugh returns to Sarasota to perform some of the best-known tunes by the greatest singer-songwriters of our time. Hear enduring classics from the American rock ’n' roll songbook, including Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” James Taylor’s “Your Smiling Face,” and Paul Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “The Sound of Silence,” as well as over a dozen more unforgettable hits.

Singers & Songwriters

If heaven has a soundtrack, it may well include music by Massenet, Roussel, and Mozart. Massanet’s beloved “Méditation” from his opera Thaïs, in a gorgeous arrangement for four cellos, opens this program. Albert Roussel’s Sérénade combines flute and harp with string trio for a work that is alternatingly haunting and lighthearted. The program concludes with Mozart’s jolly Wind Serenade for two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, and two horns. Composed to impress a potential patron, the elegant work has been delighting audiences for over 200 years!

Heavenly Harmony

Thrill of a Lifetime

Riverview High School

We’ve created a concert program, led by Creative Partner Peter Oundjian, to capture all the euphoria of reaching this milestone in our history as Florida’s oldest continuously operating orchestra. After two stirring fanfares by Aaron Copland and Joan Tower, legendary pianist Garrick Ohlsson joins Sarasota Orchestra for Rachmaninoff’s monumental Piano Concerto No. 3. Paired with Gershwin’s An American in Paris, a rhapsodic portrait of a stroll through the City of Lights, this one-night-only program promises to thrill.

Celebrate 75

Be swept off your feet with a program of smoky romance and fiery virtuosity. Norwegian conductor Rune Bergmann makes his Sarasota Orchestra debut in a program featuring Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. Its passionate melodies and lush orchestration thread through well-known songs and movie scores today. Violinist Stella Chen, winner of the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition, performs Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2. This showpiece is packed with soaring melodies, lively dances, and dazzling violin pyrotechnics. The program begins with the rousing overture to Danish composer Carl Nielsen’s opera Maskarade.

Smoke And Fire

Every now and again, someone composes a work that changes everything. Whether it’s the opening of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony or the shower scene from Psycho, certain music sticks with us and changes us forever. Conductor Lawrence Loh leads the Orchestra in this tribute to “revolutionary” music, including selections from Verdi, The Beatles, and the film music of the great John Williams.

Revolutionary Music

Led by Giancarlo Guerrero, Music Director of the Nashville Symphony, this unforgettable program opens with Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro. Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 is one of classical music’s most powerful symphonic experiences. Dramatic, folklike, and rollicking, the “Titan” blazes all the way through to its breathtaking close. GRAMMY and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts drew on the genius of Mozart when crafting his impressive Marimba Concerto. The marimba, rarely seen as a solo instrument with orchestra, and Ji Su Jung’s riveting performance style create a fascinating combination.

Titans

Enrich your experience of this season’s musical masterpieces with lectures by our speakers and guest conductors for the upcoming Masterworks concerts. Hosted by RoseAnne McCabe, VP of Artistic Operations with Masterworks 7 conductor Katharina Wincor

Classical Conversations 7

Enrich your experience of this season’s musical masterpieces with lectures by our speakers and guest conductors for the upcoming Masterworks concerts. Hosted by Albert H. Cohen with Masterworks 5 conductor Rune Bergmann.

Classical Conversations 4

Enrich your experience of this season’s musical masterpieces with lectures by our speakers and guest conductors for the upcoming Masterworks concerts. Hosted by Phillip Gainsley with Masterworks 4 conductor Giancarlo Guerrero

Classical Conversations 5

Classical Conversations 6

Spend a Sunday afternoon with the majestic sounds of music for strings and piano. In 1933, Florence Price became the first Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra. Her String Quartet has elements inspired by folk music, spirituals, and the blues. Robert Schumann had his wife, Clara, in mind when he composed his glorious Piano Quartet in 1842. She gave the premiere of the highly Romantic work, which continues to thrill modern audiences.

String And Piano Quartets

Hear your timeless musical theatre favorites from Broadway’s own stars! Vocalists Ali Ewoldt (‌Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera), Teri Hansen (The Sound of Music, Show Boat), and Sean MacLaughlin (Phantom of the Opera, The Woman in White) join forces for an evening of the best of Broadway, performing popular favorites from Mamma Mia!, Chicago, A Chorus Line, Wicked, Rent, and many more.

Broadway Showstoppers

Great music is made for sharing! Christopher Confessore leads a program dedicated to the music world’s unsung heroes: the arrangers. Many treasured classical works started out life as piano music, but they found new audiences when arranged for orchestra. And where would we be without orchestral arrangements of the greatest hits from theater and film? Discover the magic that can result when great music meets a truly “special arrangement.”

By Special Arrangement

Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor Laureate of the Fort Worth Symphony, leads a concert crowned by Sir Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations, a love letter to the composer’s dearest friends and family. World-renowned pianist Sir Stephen Hough brings his prodigious gifts to Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, portions of which have been borrowed for film and television scores for decades. Brazilian-American composer Clarice Assad captures the energy of Carnival partygoers in her Bonecos de Olinda.

Friends And Inspirations

Brighten your holiday season with the festive sounds of brass, the sardonic wit of Luciano Berio, and the elegance of Beethoven. Giovanni Gabrieli wrote his magnificent brass canzoni in the 1500s to be played from opposing choir lofts in Venice’s Basilica of St. Mark. Berio’s delightful Opus Number Zoo has the musicians recite whimsical poems about animals as they play. Finally, Beethoven’s Second String Quartet has an elegance and charm that beckon back to Haydn, yet already shows hints of Beethoven’s fiery side.

Beethoven And Berio

Put a spring in your step with this evening of music inspired by dance. Gluck’s gentle Dance of the Blessed Spirits, Poulenc’s elegant and witty Sinfonietta, and Brahms’ instantly recognizable Hungarian Dance No. 5 will have you swaying in your seat, while Johann Strauss Jr.’s waltzes will transport you to a Viennese New Year’s ball. Yue Bao, Assistant Conductor of the Houston Symphony, leads a concert that will keep your toes tapping the whole way through.

Cheers To The Music Of Dance

The holiday season means parties, and Sarasota Orchestra offers one you won’t want to miss. Revel in the sounds of the season with selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, as well as favorite holiday songs including “White Christmas” and “Greensleeves.” Join conductor Kelly Corcoran as she makes her Sarasota debut with Hanukkah tunes, sleigh rides, and everything needed to brighten that “most wonderful time of the year.”

Holiday Party

In an exuberant takeoff to this program, John Corigliano’s playful STOMP features Sarasota Orchestra enjoying a “stomping” good time! Violinist Randall Goosby, who has wowed audiences since his debut at age nine, joins Johannes Debus and the Orchestra in Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3. Composed when Mozart was only 19, the work has long been a favorite of both violinists and listeners. Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 evokes the sweeping beauty of the Scottish landscape with swaggering tunes.

The Scottish

The operas of Giacomo Puccini are some of the most popular in the repertoire.  Soloists from Sarasota Opera, partnering with the Sarasota Orchestra, conducted by Victor DeRenzi will present favorite selections from these great works in concert.

The Music of Giacomo Puccini

Festival Music Director Jeffrey Kahane leads the Festival Orchestra from the keyboard as the soloist in Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto, which has long been associated with the legend of Orpheus’ descent to the underworld. Famous for its dialogue between soloist and orchestra, the concerto combines the spirit of chamber music with symphonic majesty. Emily Cooley’s Argo offers a lush, colorful meditation on the meaning of identity—is the great ship still the same if all its parts are replaced over time? The Festival concludes as it began—with the music of Robert Schumann. Exploring the different aspects of spring’s beauty, Schumann’s joyous “Spring” Symphony brings the 2023 Sarasota Music Festival to an ecstatic, rousing close.

Kahane Plays Beethoven

New friends and old favorites sit side by side in a program of masterpieces from three centuries, performed by SMF faculty and fellows. Flutist Jasmine Choi weaves a magical web of sound in Claude Debussy’s mesmerizing Syrinx, the myth of a water nymph pursued by the Greek god Pan. Hungarian composer György Ligeti’s 1953 work, Six Bagatelles for Wind Quintet, is fiendishly difficult for the players and hugely enjoyable for the audience. New SMF faculty cellist Gabriel Cabezas joins pianist Robert Levin in Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No. 2, in which the visionary young Beethoven juxtaposes intense drama with jovial humor. SMF faculty and fellows join together for Mendelssohn’s magnificent Octet for Strings, a musical miracle written when the composer was only 16.

Traditions and Transformations

The final Artist Showcase of the 2023 Festival features an all-star roster of musicians. Hai-Ye Ni, Principal Cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, is the protagonist of Janáček’s Pohádka (Fairy Tale), which tells the story of a prince who faces a series of tests put to him by the ruler of the underworld. David Halen, Concertmaster of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, shares two favorites by Fritz Kreisler—one of the greatest violinists of all time. Henri Dutilleux’s sparkling Sonatine features Jasmine Choi, the “goddess of the flute” according to The Korea Times. Along with Ni, faculty artists Jennifer Frautschi, Teng Li, Timothy Cobb, and Robert Levin form a supergroup for Schubert’s joyous and supremely melodic “Trout” Quintet.

Fairy Tale

Both illuminating and engaging, the beloved SMF tradition continues with the intellect and humor of past Festival Music Director Robert Levin, the eminent pianist and musicologist.

Past and present intertwine as Kazem Abdullah, one of the most exciting American conductors on the scene today, makes his SMF conducting debut with a program filled with brilliant orchestral color. Art and music meld in Ottorino Respighi’s enchanting Botticelli Triptych, a marvelous musical rendering of three iconic paintings by the Renaissance artist. Longtime SMF faculty cellist Desmond Hoebig is featured in Tchaikovsky’s elegant “Rococo” Variations, the Russian composer’s loving homage to Mozart. The concert concludes with Mozart’s final symphony, “Jupiter”, a masterpiece of impeccable clarity and compositional virtuosity.

Sound Stories

Aaron Copland’s heartfelt portrayal of a day in the life of a newly married pioneer couple lies at the heart of a program bursting with lush lyricism. The Pulitzer Prize-winning score to Martha Graham’s ballet Appalachian Spring will be heard in its original 13-instrument version. New SMF faculty oboist Marion Kuszyk, Associate Principal Oboe of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, joins faculty hornist Michelle Reed Baker and six fellows in Mozart’s delightfully contrasting serenade for wind octet. The program concludes with one of the crown jewels of the chamber music repertoire—Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F Minor. The Attacca Quartet and SMF Music Director Jeffrey Kahane collaborate on this passionate work.

Appalachian Spring

Stories of dedication and perseverance set a “gold standard” in this chamber showcase. Sato Matsui’s Goldenrod pays tribute to beloved SMF flutist Carol Wincenc’s “Golden Jubilee,” celebrating the anniversary of her remarkable 50-year career. Written in 1946, Polish composer Mieczysław Weinberg’s Sonatina for Violin and Piano possesses a tenderness that belies the adversity he faced during his life. The GRAMMY Award-winning Attacca Quartet makes its Festival debut with two acclaimed works. Composer Caroline Shaw, the youngest recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music, drew creative sparks for her First Essay (Nimrod) from human language, in particular, the lilting rhythms of Marilynne Robinson’s prose. Maurice Ravel’s ravishing String Quartet ends the program on a brilliant and lyrical note.

Gold Standard

Tales of the verdant countryside unfold under the baton of Yaniv Dinur in the first orchestral program of the 2023 Festival. Exuberant and joyful, Felix Mendelssohn’s incidental music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream depicts the magical forest world of elves and fairies and the raptures of young love. Festival faculty pianist Anne-Marie McDermott will dazzle in Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto, which his wife Clara described as “fresh and beautiful.” The program concludes with Beethoven’s “Pastorale” Symphony. From bird calls to burbling streams to the terrifying power of an afternoon thunderstorm, Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony is a timeless expression of his reverence for the natural world.

Pastorale

Music’s evocative storytelling powers take center stage in a program of intimate works with big impact. Stunningly gifted violinist Melissa White evokes the cuckoo’s voice, a sleeping goatherd, and the roaring and thundering of hail in “Summer” from Vivaldi’s beloved Four Seasons. Czech composer Leoš Janáček’s sextet Mládí (Youth), written late in his life, offers a nostalgic reimagining of themes from his past. Gabriela Lena Frank pays a vicarious visit to her mother’s native Peru in her picturesque Four Folk Songs. Antonín Dvořák, influenced by his encounters with Native American and Black musical traditions, poured out his affection for America in his enchanting and richly melodious Viola Quintet (American).

Scenes and Seasons

The opening concert of the 2023 Sarasota Music Festival showcases the Romantic era’s rich lyricism. Inspired by Robert Schumann’s love of fairy tales, his wonderous Märchenbilder features new faculty violist Paul Neubauer. Manhattan’s sights and sounds travel to Florida in GRAMMY-nominated flutist and composer Valerie Coleman’s jazz-inspired Rubispheres. The Harlem Quartet’s Melissa White brings her “tightly focused vibrato and soaring phrases” (Chicago Tribune) to Amy Beach’s rapturous Romance for Violin and Piano. Brahms’ expansive Piano Trio No. 1 provides a dramatic close.

Romance and the City

We have reached capacity for this event. If you would like to learn more about Sarasota Orchestra's free community events, please visit our Parks and Partners page.

Bring the whole family for a free afternoon of symphonic fun with Sarasota Orchestra. Led by Chelsea Gallo, assistant conductor of The Florida Orchestra, the orchestra will light up listeners of all ages in this 60-minute concert featuring Peter and the Wolf, Prokofiev’s “symphonic fairy tale for children.” Other pieces include classical renditions of Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty, Rossini's Cinderella and Nielsen's Aladdin. Pre-registration required for free general admission tickets.

Free Family Concert: Peter and the Wolf

Movements of Genius

Who reigns supreme over all of music history? Hear our conductor’s picks spanning genres and centuries. From Beethoven to Mozart, and from Queen’s "Bohemian Rhapsody" to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, this concert of winners showcases the best of the best.

G.O.A.T.s (Greatest of All Time)

Everything old is new again. “Spring” and “Summer” from Vivaldi’s beloved Four Seasons bookend this program featuring violinist Amaryn Olmeda, a rising star. Stravinsky, Respighi, Coleridge-Taylor, and Holst all took a page from musical styles of the past.

Sarasota Orchestra

25 - 26 Apr, 2025

Movements of Genius

7 - 10 May, 2025

G.O.A.T.s (Greatest of All Time)

May 17, 2025

Vivaldi Inspired

18 - 19 Apr, 2025

Celebrate John Williams

4 - 6 Apr, 2025

Grand Treasures

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