Join the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center for an exceptional series of events showcasing the genius of Carlos Simon. From the vibrant energy of 'The Block' in Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto to the profound journey of 'Fate Now Conquers' in Beethoven's Ninth, to the celebration of African Queens by soprano Karen Slack, and the delightful 'Slopera' for families, these concerts promise a rich tapestry of music and storytelling.

Nashville Symphony: From Harlem Vibes to Beethoven's Joy

Join us in Nashville for a series of captivating concerts celebrating classical music's finest, with a special focus on the works of Maurice Ravel. Kicking off with 'Manny Plays Mozart' featuring Emanuel Ax and the Nashville Symphony, the series continues with 'Ravel at 150' honoring Ravel’s 150th birthday, and culminates in the grand 'Beethoven's Ninth: Ode to Joy'. Each event promises an extraordinary auditory journey at the Nashville Symphony Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Celebrate the Genius of Maurice Ravel in Nashville: A Symphony of Events

This upcoming season, the Nashville Symphony is set to dazzle audiences with an extraordinary lineup of classical masterpieces. From the majestic chords of Handel's 'Messiah' to the profound resonance of Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy,' the symphony's performances promise to captivate and inspire. Under the expert direction of renowned conductors and featuring world-class soloists, these events will showcase the exceptional talent and dedication of the Nashville Symphony and its Chorus. Supported by the Mary C. Ragland Foundation, each concert is a tribute to the power and beauty of orchestral music.

A Musical Journey: From Handel's Majesty to Mahler's Grandeur

Join us in an unforgettable celebration of music at the Nashville Symphony Schermerhorn Symphony Center. This season promises an exhilarating series of performances featuring renowned conductor Giancarlo Guerrero, whose tenure culminates with Mahler’s grand Symphony of a Thousand. Experience the brilliance of Emanuel Ax interpreting Mozart’s iconic Concerto No. 20, and let Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, led by Nicholas Hersh, sweep you away into a world of 'Ode to Joy'. Each event is set to capture the essence of classical music's emotive power, making this series a must-see for festival-goers.

A Symphony of Emotions: Celebrating Music with Nashville Symphony

Giancarlo Guerrero’s tenure as Music Director comes to a close with Mahler’s colossal “Symphony of a Thousand,” employing massive forces with eight vocal soloists, two mixed choirs and a boys’ choir, an over-sized orchestra, and a multitude of percussion. Written in two parts, the symphony is one of the largest-scale choral works in the classical concert repertoire and is unified by musical themes of redemption through the power of love. A fitting tribute to our Maestro and all he has brought to our orchestra and to our city.

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Guerrero's Finale: Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand

Shermerhorn Symphony Center

Giancarlo Guerrero's tenure as Music Director reaches its grand conclusion with a performance of Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand. This monumental work, known for its vast scale, features eight vocal soloists, two mixed choirs, a boys' choir, an over-sized orchestra, and an extensive array of percussion instruments. The symphony, composed in two parts, stands as one of the largest choral works in the classical repertoire, unified by themes of redemption through the power of love. This performance not only showcases the immense talent of the Nashville Symphony and the Nashville Symphony Chorus, under the direction of Tucker Biddlecombe, but also includes the Vanderbilt Youth Choirs led by Mary Biddlecombe. The event serves as a fitting tribute to Maestro Guerrero, celebrating his significant contributions to the orchestra and the cultural fabric of the city. The evening promises a powerful and moving experience, highlighting the collaborative spirit and artistic excellence that have defined Guerrero's impactful tenure.

Nashville Symphony Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Experience the profound musical journey of "Beethoven's Ninth: Ode to Joy" at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. This concert marks the inaugural Nashville Symphony series under the baton of conductor Nicholas Hersh. The evening opens with Carlos Simon's "Fate Now Conquers," a piece inspired by Beethoven's journal, capturing the capricious nature of fate through dynamic musical expressions. Following this, Maurice Ravel's "Shéhérazade" transports listeners to the enchanting world of Arabian Nights, where the heroine spins captivating tales to save her life. The highlight of the evening is Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, a monumental work celebrated as one of the greatest achievements in the history of music. This choral symphony, featuring the Nashville Symphony Chorus under the direction of Tucker Biddlecombe, along with soloists Gabriella Reyes, Jennifer Johnson Cano, Alek Shrader, and David Leigh, promises an unforgettable auditory experience. The performance is generously supported by the Mary C. Ragland Foundation, ensuring a night of exceptional musical artistry.

Beethoven's Ninth: Ode to Joy

Experience the musical brilliance of Emanuel Ax as he returns to the stage to perform one of Mozart’s most cherished concertos. A frequent and beloved guest artist, Ax's interpretation of Mozart’s Concerto No. 20 in D minor for Piano and Orchestra, K. 466, promises to captivate with its emotional depth and technical mastery. The evening's program also features the Nashville Symphony under the baton of Giancarlo Guerrero, who will lead the orchestra through Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé. This piece, originally composed as a ballet, is renowned for its lush orchestrations and vibrant, impressionistic score, which includes a wordless chorus. The performance is set to be a symphonic showcase, highlighting the full spectrum of orchestral colors and textures. The program opens with Mozart’s Overture to Cosí fan tutte, setting the stage for an evening of exceptional classical music. The choral performances are generously supported by the Mary C. Ragland Foundation, adding an extra layer of richness to the auditory experience.

Manny Plays Mozart

Experience the grandeur of Handel's Messiah, a timeless masterpiece brought to life by the Nashville Symphony and Chorus under the direction of Tucker Biddlecombe. This performance features the resounding Hallelujah Chorus, a piece renowned for its powerful and uplifting composition. The Nashville Symphony & Chorus, accompanied by four exceptional soloists, deliver a rendition filled with passion, drama, and passages of stunning beauty. Handel's Messiah is celebrated for its intricate choral arrangements and moving orchestral segments, making it one of the most inspiring works of music ever written. This season's presentation promises to be a memorable experience, showcasing the exceptional talent and dedication of the Nashville Symphony and its Chorus. The choral performances are generously supported by the Mary C. Ragland Foundation, ensuring a high-quality and enriching musical experience.

Handel's Messiah

We end our season with Orff’s Carmina burana, in all its magnificent, carnal beauty. Giancarlo Guerrero programmed it — in its original form — to showcase the powerful forces of the Nashville Symphony and Chorus. On the first half of the program, our soloists in the Orff treat us to Alban Berg’s Seven Early Songs and the autobiographical Songs of the Wayfarer of Mahler, who compared his own life to “a traveling journeyman…wandering on in solitude.”

Carmina Burana

Spend a splendid Sunday afternoon at the Schermerhorn as the Nashville Symphony & Chorus present Voices of Spring, our annual choral extravaganza. Chorus Director Tucker Biddlecombe brings us  an afternoon of opera's greatest hits—your favorite overtures, grand choruses, and arias from Handel's Semele, Mozart's The Magic Flute, Bizet's Carmen, and more, culminating in "Make Your Garden Grow" from Bernstein's Candide!  Our amazing Nashville Symphony Chorus—all of whom are volunteers—is dedicated to enriching the Middle Tennessee community through high-quality performances of works from a vast and ever-growing body of choral literature.  This free community concert is a Choose What You Pay event.

Voices of Spring: An Afternoon at the Opera

Featuring the resounding Hallelujah Chorus, it’s Nashville's grandest Messiah – full of passion, drama and passages of stunning beauty. Celebrate the season as your Nashville Symphony & Chorus – and four astounding soloists – perform one of the most inspiring works of music ever written. This season’s Handel’s Messiah is conducted – for the first time ever – by Nashville Symphony Chorus Director Tucker Biddlecombe.

Handel's Messiah with the Nashville Symphony Chorus

When Aaron Copland first visited Mexico, he remarked, “Mexico has turned out even grander than I expected, and I expected pretty grand things.” El Salón Mexico draws upon that sentiment, headlining a program inspired by Latin America’s beauty and culture. Piazzolla’s Sinfonía Buenos Aires captures the tango’s provocative essence, and Giancarlo Guerrero has invited Aquiles Machado and Juan Tomás Martinez as soloists for Antonio Estévez’s Cantata Criolla, a Faustian singing contest between Florentino and the Devil.

Nashville Symphony Chorus

23 - 25 May, 2025

Guerrero's Finale: Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand

23 - 25 May, 2025

Guerrero's Finale: Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand

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