The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is excited to announce their 2024-2025 Concert Season!

Music Director and Conductor, George Del Gobbo commented, “The Columbus Symphony Orchestra is delighted to offer the city the best in live orchestral music performances. It is my privilege to serve as their conductor. Don’t miss our monumental 2024-25 Season, and join us at the beautiful RiverCenter for concerts that will cause your toe to tap and your spirit to soar.”

The CSO season begins on September 14 with “Rachmaninoff & Time for Three.” Grammy-Award winning ensemble Time For Three makes their CSO debut performing Kevin Puts’ haunting piece Contact — a unique work written especially for this charismatic, genre-bending string trio. The utterly romantic and supremely lyrical Rachmaninoff Second Symphony completes the evening. 

“Joy of the Italian Baroque” will lift your spirits on October 19 as the CSO performs the sunny works of Italian masters Vivaldi, Corelli, Albinoni, and more - all within the intimacy of beautiful Legacy Hall. Sip a glass of prosecco and taste classic Italian desserts at this light, airy concert perfectly paired with a reception during an extended intermission.

On November 23, the CSO presents “Brahms & Shostakovich” featuring violinist Benjamin Baker performing Brahms’ epic violin concerto. Baker’s playing creates “a supernaturally beautiful atmosphere” and exudes “the fruit of serious readiness combined with cultured musicianship and flawless intonation” (The Arts Desk). Intermission is followed by a dramatic performance of one of the great symphonies of the 20th century - Shostakovich’s Fifth.

Enjoy an evening brimming with elegance and beauty as the CSO celebrates the music of Russia’s premiere composer with “Total Tchaikovsky” on January 18. The grand and lively “Polonaise” from Tchaikovsky’s opera Eugene Onegin is followed by the return of brilliant violinist SooBeen Lee for the virtuosic and ever-lyrical Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. Tchaikovsky’s dramatic Symphony No. 4 brings the evening to a stirring close

The CSO is excited to feature the return of the “Young People’s Concert” on February 22. This fun-filled, educational concert for children of all ages features the cleverly narrated Mr. Smith’s Composition that explores the many sounds and feelings a symphony orchestra can evoke. Soar high with the music of Superman and jump into hyperspace with the sounds of Star Wars on this unforgettable afternoon for the whole family!

On the evening of February 22, immerse yourself in the epic worlds of the cinematic classics Star Wars, Superman, Harry Potter, and more as the CSO performs “John Williams & Friends!” The award-winning film scores of Williams as well as James Horner’s Avatar Suite, Jerry Goldsmith’s Alien, and John Ottman’s X-Men 2: Suite are sure to create a nostalgic evening filled with heroism, adventure, and romance. 

Pianist Esther Park joins the CSO on stage in the stunning Legacy Hall on March 22 for a “Mostly Mozart” featuring Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 12 and Symphony No. 29. The timeless elegance of Mozart is uniquely paired with Max Richter’s modern beauty On the Nature of Daylight, culminating in a delicate yet moving program. The delight continues in an extended intermission featuring champagne and Columbus’ sweetest treats.

“Beethoven & Liszt” provides a sensational Friday night season finale on April 11 as award-winning pianist Claire Huangci returns to Columbus to take on the impressive Piano Concerto No. 1 by Franz Liszt. The many moods of Beethoven are perfectly displayed in his stormy Coriolanus Overture paired with his energetic and almost dancing Symphony No. 7. 

To enhance the concert experience, the CSO offers an engaging pre-concert discussion with Maestro George Del Gobbo that gives insight into the composers and works being performed 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.