CSO 2023-34 Season "Something For Everyone"
Monday, May 22nd, 2023
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is delighted to announce their 2023-2024 Concert Season. Music Director and Conductor, George Del Gobbo commented, “There is a trite and too often used phrase: ‘Something for Everyone.’ Each season the Columbus Symphony tries to offer a varied selection of musical programs appealing to a broad spectrum of audience tastes and preferences. I believe we have accomplished this goal with the programming of our 2023-24 season. There is music from the great masters like Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. There is music from more recent composers like Gabriela Lena Frank and Carlos Simon. You'll find popular works like the Sibelius violin concerto next to exotic selections such as Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara's ‘Concerto for Birds and Orchestra.’ Stir in an exciting group of accomplished solo guest artists and you have, indeed, ‘Something for Everyone.’ Check us out and ‘See you at the Symphony.’”
The CSO kicks off the 2023-2024 season on October 7th with “From Atlanta to London.” Enjoy a first-class ticket on a musical journey which features the music of Atlantan Carlos Simon and the great Englishman Ralph Vaughan Williams. Sibelius’ brooding Violin Concerto provides an interesting side trip. Violinist SooBeen Lee has been praised by The Washington Post for her “poised presence, a luxurious sound, spot-on intonation, and a bow arm that surely will be the envy of her peers”.
From larks and swans to the story of Mother Goose, the concert “From Mozart to the Birds” features birdsong with the orchestra on November 18th. Rautavaara’s Concerto Arcticus is a unique composition, which will linger in your ear. Fairy tale Ravel and an exquisite Mozart Symphony complete the program.
Pianist Dominic Cheli returns to the CSO to play Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 on January 20th for “Shostakovich & Brahms.” The mysticism of Hovhaness, and the witty satire of Shostakovich are delightfully set against the pastoral beauty of Brahms’ D Major symphony. Cheli’s playing has been described by Symphony Magazine as “spontaneous yet perfect, the best of how a young person can play.”
On February 10th, the CSO will present “Beethoven’s Fifth,” the ever-popular work representing the quintessential expression of mankind’s struggle with Fate. Gabriela Lena Frank is an American composer of Lithuanian, Peruvian, and Chinese heritage. Her piece Coqueteos is a flirtatious Andean love song. Rodrigo’s concerto is an expression of old-world Spanish charm. Grammy-winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux is praised for his performances of the beloved Rodrigo. His musical skills are described by Gramophone as “among the elite of today’s guitarists.”
Enjoy “Handel’s London” on March 23rd in the intimacy of Legacy Hall. Although born in Halle (a part of Prussia), Handel spent most of his creative life in the city of London, which was the creative center of the musical world at the time. In addition to Handel, the presence of composers like Purcell, Geminiani, and Eccles made the city a musical Mecca. There will be an English intermission with sheri and chocolate as part of the concert experience.
The season finale will feature Canadian pianist Katherine Chi in “Tchaikovsky & Friends” on April 20th. Tchaikovsky’s triumphant symphony and Borodin’s evocative tone poem bookend the masterful Third Piano Concerto by Prokofiev. With her energy, character, and spunk, Chi’s previous performances have been described as “... the most sensational but, better, the most unfailingly cogent and compelling Prokofiev’s Third I have heard in years.”
To enhance the concert experience, the CSO offers a pre-concert discussion with George Del Gobbo that gives insight into the composers and works being performed that night called Know the Score. Know the Score occurs at 6:30 PM in Studio Theatre directly before the concert and admission is included with the purchase of a concert ticket.
Season Ticket Subscriptions are currently on sale and can be purchased online, by mail, via phone at 706-256-3612, or in person at the RiverCenter Box Office, Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM (Broadway entrance). Visit csoga.org/tickets to order ticket packages online or to print a mail-in form. Subscribers save up to 17% off the adult single ticket price, get first pick of the best seats, and avoid any online ticketing fees. Individual concert tickets will go on sale on September 6, 2023.
In addition to the evening performances, the CSO offers non-ticketed Open Rehearsals which typically take place at 12:30 PM the day of the concert. All members of the community are welcome to attend, including those who are unable to attend the evening concert or looking for a “behind-the-scenes” look into the ensemble. It is a great way to introduce young children to a live musical experience in a sensory-friendly environment. Continuing the tradition, this informal and all-inclusive atmosphere is breaking the financial barrier by encouraging attendees to “pay what you want.” Audience members set their own prices to eliminate hesitation and allow new viewers to partake in the music being created by the CSO.
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, formed in 1855, is the second orchestra founded in the nation and the first founded in Georgia. The CSO, under the direction of George Del Gobbo, has long been considered one of the Southeast’s premier musical ensembles. The CSO’s performance venue at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Bill Heard Theatre, seats 2,000 patrons and provides a state-of-the-art visual and acoustic experience. For more information about the CSO visit our website at csoga.org.
The CSO kicks off the 2023-2024 season on October 7th with “From Atlanta to London.” Enjoy a first-class ticket on a musical journey which features the music of Atlantan Carlos Simon and the great Englishman Ralph Vaughan Williams. Sibelius’ brooding Violin Concerto provides an interesting side trip. Violinist SooBeen Lee has been praised by The Washington Post for her “poised presence, a luxurious sound, spot-on intonation, and a bow arm that surely will be the envy of her peers”.
From larks and swans to the story of Mother Goose, the concert “From Mozart to the Birds” features birdsong with the orchestra on November 18th. Rautavaara’s Concerto Arcticus is a unique composition, which will linger in your ear. Fairy tale Ravel and an exquisite Mozart Symphony complete the program.
Pianist Dominic Cheli returns to the CSO to play Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 on January 20th for “Shostakovich & Brahms.” The mysticism of Hovhaness, and the witty satire of Shostakovich are delightfully set against the pastoral beauty of Brahms’ D Major symphony. Cheli’s playing has been described by Symphony Magazine as “spontaneous yet perfect, the best of how a young person can play.”
On February 10th, the CSO will present “Beethoven’s Fifth,” the ever-popular work representing the quintessential expression of mankind’s struggle with Fate. Gabriela Lena Frank is an American composer of Lithuanian, Peruvian, and Chinese heritage. Her piece Coqueteos is a flirtatious Andean love song. Rodrigo’s concerto is an expression of old-world Spanish charm. Grammy-winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux is praised for his performances of the beloved Rodrigo. His musical skills are described by Gramophone as “among the elite of today’s guitarists.”
Enjoy “Handel’s London” on March 23rd in the intimacy of Legacy Hall. Although born in Halle (a part of Prussia), Handel spent most of his creative life in the city of London, which was the creative center of the musical world at the time. In addition to Handel, the presence of composers like Purcell, Geminiani, and Eccles made the city a musical Mecca. There will be an English intermission with sheri and chocolate as part of the concert experience.
The season finale will feature Canadian pianist Katherine Chi in “Tchaikovsky & Friends” on April 20th. Tchaikovsky’s triumphant symphony and Borodin’s evocative tone poem bookend the masterful Third Piano Concerto by Prokofiev. With her energy, character, and spunk, Chi’s previous performances have been described as “... the most sensational but, better, the most unfailingly cogent and compelling Prokofiev’s Third I have heard in years.”
To enhance the concert experience, the CSO offers a pre-concert discussion with George Del Gobbo that gives insight into the composers and works being performed that night called Know the Score. Know the Score occurs at 6:30 PM in Studio Theatre directly before the concert and admission is included with the purchase of a concert ticket.
Season Ticket Subscriptions are currently on sale and can be purchased online, by mail, via phone at 706-256-3612, or in person at the RiverCenter Box Office, Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM (Broadway entrance). Visit csoga.org/tickets to order ticket packages online or to print a mail-in form. Subscribers save up to 17% off the adult single ticket price, get first pick of the best seats, and avoid any online ticketing fees. Individual concert tickets will go on sale on September 6, 2023.
In addition to the evening performances, the CSO offers non-ticketed Open Rehearsals which typically take place at 12:30 PM the day of the concert. All members of the community are welcome to attend, including those who are unable to attend the evening concert or looking for a “behind-the-scenes” look into the ensemble. It is a great way to introduce young children to a live musical experience in a sensory-friendly environment. Continuing the tradition, this informal and all-inclusive atmosphere is breaking the financial barrier by encouraging attendees to “pay what you want.” Audience members set their own prices to eliminate hesitation and allow new viewers to partake in the music being created by the CSO.
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, formed in 1855, is the second orchestra founded in the nation and the first founded in Georgia. The CSO, under the direction of George Del Gobbo, has long been considered one of the Southeast’s premier musical ensembles. The CSO’s performance venue at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Bill Heard Theatre, seats 2,000 patrons and provides a state-of-the-art visual and acoustic experience. For more information about the CSO visit our website at csoga.org.
