Schedule
Opening Concert 70th Season "The Homecoming "
Program
Joan Tower: Made in America
Ferdinand David: Trombone Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
This opening concert reconnects the orchestra with its origins. Richmond’s own Matt Vaughn stands at the center of the celebration, reflecting the role the orchestra plays in developing world-class artists. Opening the season once again with the National Anthem reinforces a sense of tradition and shared identity, while Joan Tower’s Made in America places a leading American female composer at the forefront of the 70th season, connecting the orchestra’s legacy to a broader and more inclusive future.
The program culminates with Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, performed at the first RSO concert. As the first symphony to prominently feature trombones, it creates a natural connection to Matt’s presence on stage. From darkness to light, Beethoven builds toward a final movement that expands the orchestra’s sound with the addition of piccolo and contrabassoon. It is both a celebration and a sense of anticipation for the growth that lies ahead this season.
Family Concert - The Family Adventure
Program
Lemony Snicket / Nathaniel Stookey: The Composer is Dead
This program invites the next generation into the world of the orchestra through storytelling, curiosity, and discovery. Designed for families and young audiences, it introduces each section of the ensemble in an engaging and accessible way. As a Halloween-themed family concert, the program will include additional musical selections, and families and children are encouraged to attend in costume, creating a welcoming and festive atmosphere.
At its core, this concert reflects the orchestra’s role in the community. By creating a shared experience for families and students, it helps build a lasting connection between the orchestra and the future audiences it serves.
Shostakovich 5- Light, Voice & Strength
Program
Nielsen: Helios Overture
Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
Description
This program brings together works of scale, intensity, and expressive depth. Nielsen’s Helios Overture, a depiction of a sunrise, opens the program with clarity and momentum, setting the stage for what follows. Bruch’s concerto, featuring Kevin Lin, Concertmaster of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, provides a lyrical and deeply human voice at the center of the program.
The concert culminates in Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony, a work shaped by turmoil, restraint, and survival. In this context, the program reflects how, even in the most difficult moments, art can offer a sense of catharsis and connection. It becomes not only a powerful orchestral experience, but a reminder of the role music plays in sustaining the human spirit.
Destiny & Fantasy
Destiny and Fantasy
Richmond Symphony Orchestra
Join the Richmond Symphony Orchestra for an evening of vivid storytelling and enchanting music. The concert opens with the dramatic intensity of Verdi’s Overture to La forza del destino. Next, experience the playful magic of Respighi’s La pentola magica (The Magic Pot). The program concludes with the sweeping grandeur and emotional power of Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2.
Repertoire:
Verdi – Overture to La forza del destino
Respighi – La pentola magica (The Magic Pot) (Soloist to be announced)
Sibelius – Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43
Echoes of Nature
Echoes of Nature
Richmond Symphony Orchestra
Embark on a musical journey through nature's landscapes with Echoes of Nature. Mendelssohn's The Hebrides Overture captures the rugged beauty of Scotland's coast, while Vivaldi's The Four Seasons brings the changing seasons to life through vivid violin solos. Acclaimed violinist Justin Bruns, Associate Concertmaster of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, renowned for his expressive performances and versatility, joins as the soloist. The evening concludes with Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, a serene portrayal of the countryside's tranquility.
Repertoire:
Mendelssohn – The Hebrides Overture (Fingal’s Cave), Op. 26
Vivaldi – The Four Seasons (Justin Bruns, violin)
Beethoven – Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 (Pastoral)
Love & Transformation
Love & Transformation
Richmond Symphony Orchestra
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a sweeping program of passion, beauty, and renewal. Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet sets the stage with romantic drama, followed by cellist Sterling Elliott in the fiery elegance of Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1. Dvořák’s radiant Symphony No. 8 brings the evening to a joyful and triumphant close.
Repertoire:
Tchaikovsky – Romeo and Juliet
Saint-Saëns – Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33 (Sterling Elliott, cello)
Dvořák – Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88
A Festive Holiday Celebration!
Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with joy, warmth, and the magic of the season! The Richmond Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to present A Festive Holiday Celebration, a special concert designed to bring our community together through the power of music.
For the very first time, we’re ending the year on a high note, sharing beloved holiday classics and sparkling new favorites that will fill your heart with cheer. Whether you’re singing along to timeless carols or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, this is the perfect way to celebrate the season with family, friends, and neighbors.
Come be part of a joyful tradition, create wonderful memories, and kick off your holidays with the uplifting sounds of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. Let’s make this season bright together!
Lyricism & Depth
Lyricism & Depth
Presented by the Richmond Symphony Orchestra
An evening of expressive beauty and emotional contrast, Lyricism & Depth brings together the sweeping Romanticism of Coleridge-Taylor, the wit and unpredictability of Nielsen, and the radiant warmth of Brahms. Featuring flutist Niles Watson in a dazzling solo turn, this program invites listeners on a journey through lyricism, complexity, and joy.
Repertoire:
Coleridge-Taylor – Ballade in A minor, Op. 33
Nielsen – Flute Concerto (Niles Watson, flute)
Brahms – Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 72
American Rhythm & Color
American Rhythm & Color
Performed by the Richmond Symphony Orchestra
American Rhythm & Color bursts to life with vibrant soundscapes and bold musical storytelling. From the pulsing energy of John Adams to the jazz-infused brilliance of Gershwin, this program celebrates the spirit of American music. Celebrated pianist Norman Krieger returns to the Richmond Symphony Orchestra for a sparkling performance of Gershwin’s Concerto in F, and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite closes the evening in a blaze of orchestral color.
Repertoire:
Adams – The Chairman Dances
Gershwin – Piano Concerto in F (Norman Krieger, piano)
Gershwin – An American in Paris
Stravinsky – The Firebird Suite (1919 version)
Richmond Symphony Orchestra: A Finale Fantasique
Repertoire
PROKOFIEV Symphony No. 1 (Classical)
WAGNER Siegfried Idyl
FAURÉ Requiem in D minor Op. 48
Jessica Rivera, soprano
Thomas Dreeze, baritone
Richmond Symphony Orchestra: Richmond Voices Unite
Repertoire
LENA FRANK Elegía Andina
STRAVINSKY Pulcinella Suite
MOZART Symphony No. 41 (Jupiter)
Richmond Symphony Orchestra: Decoding the Composers
Repertoire
LENA FRANK Elegía Andina
STRAVINSKY Pulcinella Suite
MOZART Symphony No. 41 (Jupiter)
Richmond Symphony Orchestra: A Celebration of Democracy
Repertoire
SIBELIUS Finlandia
COPLAND Lincoln Portrait
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3 (Eroica)
Maestro’s Musical Masterpieces
Repertoire
Star Spangled Banner
BERNSTEIN Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story”
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Capriccio Espagnol
MUSSORGSKY Pictures at an Exhibition