The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) presents “The King of Instruments” on October 11, 2025. The concert will begin at 7:30 PM and will be performed in Legacy Hall at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Intermission includes a reception with wine and desserts hand-crafted by Custom Cake Studio.

Music Director and Conductor, George Del Gobbo comments, “The organ is often called the king of the instruments because of its power and versatility.  Likewise, the symphony orchestra could be considered as the king of the ensembles for much the same reasons. All of this "royalty" will join forces at our next concert to present music which both features and incorporates the organ into the orchestra in the most amazing, beautiful, and powerful ways.”

The evening opens with Richard Strauss’ Feierlicher Einzug der Ritter des Johanniterordens, a stately and ceremonial procession brought to life by organist Christopher Houlihan and the orchestra. With its richly layered brass harmonies supported by the grandeur of the organ, the work creates an atmosphere of dignity and solemn beauty, offering a powerful start to the concert.

Next comes Samuel Barber’s Toccata Festiva, a brilliant and virtuosic showpiece that showcases Houlihan’s dazzling keyboard flourishes alongside the full power of the orchestra. Praised for his “glowing, miraculously life-affirming performances” (Los Angeles Times), Houlihan captures Barber’s sparkling rhythms, brilliant brass fanfares, and the showstopping organ cadenza that crowns the piece. Widely recognized as one of America’s leading concert organists, he has performed at major venues across the United States and abroad, earning a reputation for his dynamic artistry and expressive power.

After intermission, Houlihan returns for Camille Saint-Saëns’ majestic Symphony No. 3 in C minor, “Organ”. Structured in two expansive movements, the work blends luminous themes, lush harmonies, and the grandeur of the organ with the orchestra in radiant partnership. From its sweeping lyricism to its triumphant conclusion, the “Organ” Symphony embodies Saint-Saëns’ mastery of orchestral color and remains a cornerstone of the symphonic repertoire.