Masterworks 7:

Symphonic Grandeur

2011-12 Masterworks Series

More than a work of solo virtuosity, Dvorák’s cello concerto places the orchestra in the role of equal partner to brilliant guest cellist Sara Sant’Ambrogio. Tchaikovsky’s voyage from despair to hope is gloriously listenable and emotionally satisfying.

Günther Herbig, conductor
Sara Sant’Ambrogio, cellist

WOSU's Christopher Purdy will give a pre-concert talk starting 1 hour prior to each performance.

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Fri, Feb. 24, 2012 - 8 pm

Sat, Feb. 25, 2012 - 8 pm

Masterworks Series Sponsor:

Masterworks 8:

McGegan Returns

2011-12 Masterworks Series

Nicholas McGegan returns with a program showcasing Columbus Symphony musicians performing music from the Baroque and Classical eras. An expert in 18th-century style, McGegan consistently delights audiences and musicians alike with his insightful interpretations.

CSO Featured Soloists:
Randy Hester, flute
Stephen Secan, Oboe
Leonid Polonsky, violin
Luis Biava, cello

Program:
Rameau: Selections from Dardanaus
J.C. Bach: Sinfonia Concertante in C Major for Flute, Oboe, Violin, and Cello, W C 343
Mozart: Chaconne from Idomeneo, K. 367
Haydn: Symphony No. 103 in E-Flat Major, Drumroll

WOSU's Christopher Purdy will give a pre-concert talk starting 1 hour prior to each performance.

Venue: Southern Theatre

Fri, March 2, 2012 - 8 pm

Sat, March 3, 2012 - 8 pm

Sun, March 4, 2012 - 3 pm

Masterworks Series Sponsor:

Masterworks 9:

Themes & Variations

2011-12 Masterworks Series

Some of the most creative and appealing musical “conversations” take the form of themes and variations. In this program, you’ll experience three of most popular orchestral examples. Guest pianist Stewart Goodyear returns for a sure-to-be memorable performance of Mozart’s most romantic concerto.

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor
Stewart Goodyear, piano

Program:
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor, K. 491
Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme ("Enigma Variations"), Op. 36

WOSU's Christopher Purdy will give a pre-concert talk starting 1 hour prior to each performance.

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Fri, March 16, 2012 - 8 pm

Sat, March 17, 2012 - 8 pm

Masterworks Series Sponsor:

Johnny Mathis

2011-12 Pops Series

The 1958 greatest hits album of three-time Grammy-nominated Johnny Mathis spent more than 490 continuous weeks (almost ten years) on the Billboard Top Albums chart. Now this legendary icon joins the Columbus Symphony for an evening of romantic ballads, classic standards, and the best of Broadway. “Chances Are” it’s an evening not to be missed!

Michael Berkowitz, conductor

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Sat, March 24, 2012 - 8 pm

Pops Series Sponsor:

PNC ARTS ALIVE:

Concerts for Kids

Rhythm of the Americas

The rhythmic music of all the Americas, North, South and Central, will have toes tapping and fingers snapping long after the concert ends. Will you recognize all of the percussion instruments featured in this concert?

Conducted by Michael Berkowitz

* Before the show there will be pre-concert activities. These will begin at 2pm and include a musical craft, instruments to see and play, conducting lessons, musical temporary tattoos and more!

Sun, Mar. 25, 2012 - 3 pm

Venue: Capitol Theatre
Vern Riffe Center
77 S High Street

Series Sponsor:

Media Sponsor:

Masterworks 10:

Inspired by the Bard

2011-12 Masterworks Series

These colorful works by Berlioz are a nod to Shakespeare’s Hamlet and A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The women of the Columbus Symphony Chorus will join CATCO for a staged version of The Bard’s beloved comedy.

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor
Michèle Losier, mezzo-soprano
Alisa Jordheim, soprano
Columbus Symphony Women’s Chorus
CATCO

Program:
Berlioz: “Death of Ophelia” from Tristia
Berlioz: Les Nuits d'été, Op. 7
Mendelssohn: Incidental music to A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61

WOSU's Christopher Purdy will give a pre-concert talk starting 1 hour prior to each performance.

Venue: Southern Theatre

Fri, March 30, 2012 - 8 pm

Sat, March 31, 2012 - 8 pm

Sun, April 1, 2012 - 3 pm

Masterworks Series Sponsor:

Masterworks 11:

The Satirist &

The Philosopher

2011-12 Masterworks Series

The creative voices of artists of all disciplines have often been sparked by an interest in the mystical, philosophical, spiritual, and intellectual. From grand opera to tone poem to lighthearted theme and variation, the results demonstrate true originality.

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor

WOSU's Christopher Purdy will give a pre-concert talk starting 1 hour prior to each performance.

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Fri, April 13, 2012 - 8 pm

Sat, April 14, 2011 - 8 pm

Masterworks Series Sponsor:

Disney In Concert

Magical Music from the Movies

2011-12 Pops Series

Albert-George Schram, conductor

Come be enchanted by Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, conductor Albert-George Schram, projected clips, still cells, and storyboard art from the films, plus four leading vocalists. Every new generation has a favorite Disney musical, whether it's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Aladdin, or The Lion King. And then there are the classics, from a Mary Poppins medley to the "Yo ho" of Pirates of the Caribbean. When everyone joins together for memorable moments and melodies that Mouseketeers of all ages know by heart, it feels like a small world, after all.

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Sat, April. 28, 2012 - 8 pm

Pops Series Sponsor:

Masterworks 12:

The French Feast

2011-12 Masterworks Series

Sonorous. Sensual. Evocative. This celebration of orchestra virtuosity is delivered with an unmistakably French accent and allure. Jennifer Rivera will charm you with French chansons and the Columbus Symphony Chorus will add its voice to the orchestral instrumentation.

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor
Jennifer Rivera, mezzo-soprano
Columbus Symphony Chorus

Program:
Debussy: Prélude a I’Après-midi d’un faune (Prelude to "The Afternoon of a Faun")
Faure: Pavane, Op. 502
Chausson: Poeme de l’amour et de la mer for Voice and Orchestra, Op. 19 (excerpts)
Ravel: Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloe
Duruflé: Requiem, Op. 9

WOSU's Christopher Purdy will give a pre-concert talk starting 1 hour prior to each performance.

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Fri, May 4, 2012 - 8 pm

Sat, May 5, 2012 - 8 pm

Masterworks Series Sponsor:

Season Opener

Carmina Burana

2011-12 Special Events

Jennifer Higdon’s colorful, accessible, and ethereal Blue Cathedral is one of the most-performed contemporary orchestra works of our time, written by one of America’s best contemporary composers. This will be followed by Carl Orff’s brazen, evocative, and explosive musical showcase, Carmina Burana, that will feature the Columbus Symphony Chorus and an exceptional trio of guest vocal soloists.

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor
Aline Kutan, soprano
Frédéric Antoun, tenor
Keith Phares, baritone
Columbus Symphony Chorus
Columbus Children’s Choir

Program:
Higdon: Blue Cathedral
Orff: Carmina Burana

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Thu, Oct. 13, 2011 - 8 pm

Support provided by:

&

The Johnstone Fund
for New Music

Opera to Broadway

2011-12 Pops Series

Superb voices, lush orchestrations, evocative lyrics, and expressive melodies! The Columbus Symphony Pops Season opens with Jean-Marie at the podium and an evening of audience favorites from the worlds of opera and Broadway.

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor
Aline Kutan, soprano
Frédéric Antoun, tenor
Keith Phares, baritone
Columbus Symphony Chorus

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Sat, Oct 15, 2011 - 8 pm

Pops Series Sponsor:

Masterworks 1:

String Summit

2011-12 Masterworks Series

For the Columbus Symphony’s inaugural concert in the Southern Theatre, Jean-Marie has selected three 20th-century masterpieces showcasing orchestral strings. The thematic appeal of these well-known Bartok and Barber works is evidenced by their inclusion in the movie soundtracks of Platoon and The Shining. Guest violinist Rachel Barton Pine will perform Bernstein’s lively and unpredictable Serenade, inspired by Plato’s virtuosic celebration of love—Symposium.

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor
Rachel Barton Pine, violin

Program:
Bartok: Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta
Barber: Adagio for Strings
Bernstein: Serenade (after Plato’s Symposium)

Venue: Southern Theatre

Fri, Oct. 21, 2011 - 8 pm
Sat, Oct. 22, 2011 - 8 pm
Sun, Oct. 23, 2011 - 3 pm

Masterworks Series Sponsor:

Chairman of the Board:

A Salute to Frank Sinatra

2011-12 Pops Series

Superb voices, lush orchestrations, evocative lyrics, and expressive melodies! The Columbus Symphony Pops Season opens with Jean-Marie at the podium and an evening of audience favorites from the worlds of opera and Broadway.

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor
Aline Kutan, soprano
Frédéric Antoun, tenor
Keith Phares, baritone
Columbus Symphony Chorus

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Sat, Nov. 5, 2011 - 8 pm

Pops Series Sponsor:

Masterworks 2:

Russian Soul

2011-12 Masterworks Series

Symphonic Dances, the lush, seductive, and magnetic final work of the great Russian Romantic Rachmaninoff is paired with the sonorous and emotional power of orchestral masterpiece, Symphony No. 5, a true audience favorite and Shostakovich’s most-often performed symphony.

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor

Program:
Liadov: Kikimora, Op. 63
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op. 47

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Fri, Nov. 11, 8pm
Sat, Nov. 12, 8pm

Masterworks Series Sponsor:

Masterworks 3:

Dialogues

2011-12 Masterworks Series

Program:
Gabrieli: Canzon in echo
Vivaldi: Concerto in C Major for Two Trumpets, RV 537
Vivaldi: Concerto in G Minor for Two Cellos, RV 531
Handel: Concerto Grosso in G Minor, Op. 6, No. 6
Strauss: Duet Concertino for Clarinet and Bassoon, TrV 293
Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 21

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor

CSO Featured Soloists:
Tom Battenberg & Jeff Korak, trumpets
Luis Biava & Pei-An Chao, cellos
David Thomas, clarinet
Betsy Sturdevant, bassoon

Venue: Southern Theatre

Fri, Nov. 18, 2011 - 8 pm
Sat, Nov. 19, 2011 - 8 pm
Sun, Nov. 20, 2011 - 3 pm

Masterworks Series Sponsor:

Holiday Pops

2011-12 Pops Series

A great annual Columbus tradition continues as Ronald J. Jenkins leads the Columbus Symphony and Chorus in some of the season’s most-loved holiday songs and carols. Santa will also be on hand to help spread holiday cheer!

Ronald J. Jenkins, conductor
Columbus Symphony Chorus 

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Fri, Dec. 2, 2011 - 8 pm
Sat, Dec. 3, 2011 - 8 pm
Sun, Dec. 4, 2011 - 3 pm

Pops Series Sponsor:

Masterworks 4:

Mozart & Brahms

2011-12 Masterworks Series

What would a symphony season be without Mozart and Brahms? Discover the emerging maturity of Mozart’s first minor-key symphony and the transformational appeal of a Brahms’ string quartet transcribed as a work for full orchestra. Young, Belgium-born violinist Yossif Ivanov will perform the A Major Concerto.

Matthias Bamert, conductor
Yossif Ivanov, violin

Program:
Mozart: Symphony No. 25 in G Minor
K. 173dB [183]
Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major
Turkish, K. 219
Brahms-Schoenberg: Piano Quartet in G Minor
Op. 25

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Fri, Jan. 6, 2012 - 8 pm

Sat, Jan. 7, 2012 - 8 pm

Masterworks Series Sponsor:

PNC ARTS ALIVE:

Concerts for Kids

Fiery Fiddlin'

& Fairy Tales

Giants, bears and fairies come to life through the music of Edward Elgar’s Wand of Youth, the beloved musical suite for children. The McCord Players from Worthington City Schools are featured. Come dressed as your favorite fairy tale character!

Conducted by Albert-George Schram

* Before the show there will be pre-concert activities. These will begin at 2pm and include a musical craft, instruments to see and play, conducting lessons, musical temporary tattoos and more!

Sun, Jan 8, 2012 at 3 pm

Venue: Capitol Theatre
Vern Riffe Center
77 S High Street

Series Sponsor:

Media Sponsor:

Masterworks 5:

Folk Roots

2011-12 Masterworks Series

Taking as their musical inspiration the folk traditions of their Hungarian, French, and Russian homelands, Kodaly, Poulenc, and Prokofiev celebrate the marriage of grand orchestra vision and intimate cultural voices. Guest pianists Anna Polonsky and husband Orion Weiss offer an unparalleled keyboard collaboration.

Rossen Milanov, conductor
Anna Polonsky, piano
Orion Weiss, piano

Program:
Kodaly: Dances of Galanta
Poulenc: Concerto in D Minor for Two Pianos
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 4 (1947 revision)

WOSU's Christopher Purdy will give a pre-concert talk starting 1 hour prior to each performance.

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Fri, Jan. 20, 2012 - 8 pm

Sat, Jan. 21, 2012 - 8 pm

Masterworks Series Sponsor:

Columbus Symphony

2012 Gala

Featuring Violin Superstar
GIL SHAHAM

2011-12 Special Events

The Columbus Symphony's annual gala features internationally-recognized violinist Gil Shaham in a performance of Brahms Violin Concerto. Recently announced as Musical America's 2012 Instrumentalist of the Year, Mr. Shaham is praised for his uncommon balance of virtuosity and warmth.

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor
Gil Shaham, violin

Program:
Brahms: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony No.7

Venues/Times

Thu, Jan. 26, 2012

Pre-Concert Event:
Westin Columbus
Drinks - 5:30 pm
Dinner- 6:30 pm

Concert:
Southern Theatre
8:00 pm

Click HERE to view Gala Sponsors and Committee members.

The Gershwins'

Here to Stay

2011-12 Pops Series

This all-new multimedia symphony show features a number of newly arranged charts for orchestra plus rarely seen visuals from the Gershwin archives. Celebrate the lives of George and Ira Gershwin through family photos, artwork, and privately held manuscripts weaved into a narrative evening of music performed by the Columbus Symphony with featured artists pianist Kevin Cole, vocalist Sylvia McNair and tap dancer Ryan Van de Boom.

Peter Stafford Wilson, conductor
Sylvia McNair, vocalist
Kevin Cole, piano
Ryan VanDenBoom, vocalist/tap dancer

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Sat, Jan. 28, 2012 - 8 pm

Pops Series Sponsor:

Masterworks 6:

Magnificent Mahler

2011-12 Masterworks Series

Passionate. Inventive. Powerful. Pass the word – Jean-Marie is playing his favorite, and can’t wait to tell you why! Join him for a complete performance of this magnificent work. Stay after the concert for a Q&A with Jean-Marie and selected CSO musicians.

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor

Program:
Mahler: Symphony No. 6 in A Minor, The Tragic

WOSU's Christopher Purdy will give a pre-concert talk starting 1 hour prior to each performance.

Venue: Ohio Theatre

Fri, Feb. 10, 2012 - 8 pm

Sat, Feb. 11, 2012 - 8 pm

Masterworks Series Sponsor: