All Concerts

End the summer with a bang!

You’ll enjoy this famous romantic composer’s greatest hits along with Rachmaninoff’s lush Second Piano Concerto performed by the freshly minted Gold Medalist of this year’s Van Cliburn Competition, Korean pianist Yekwon Sunwoo. And to cap off the evening, thrill to the electrifying “1812 Overture” — complete with thundering cannons and brilliant fireworks.

What better way to kick off Pacific Symphony’s 39th season than by performing the most famous four notes in music history? Here’s what The Orange County Register had to say the last time this titanic symphony was programmed: “The Pacific Symphony dug in as requested, catching her fire. The strings played like linebackers and angels. The woodwinds shone brightly and warmly. Enthusiasm never lagged.”

Rumored to be fate knocking at the door, the famous first four notes of Beethoven’s Fifth give way to satisfying work that ends in ultimate victory. Music Director Carl St.Clair gives fresh perspective on this popular masterwork. Also, don’t miss this chance to hear the epic final scene from Wagner’s Die Walküre.

Like no other violinist of recent times, Joshua Bell has captured the imaginations of both critics and audiences. Bell is a true classical music superstar, enjoying a successful concert career; famous chamber music collaborations; occasional partnerships with artists outside the classical arena, including Josh Groban, James Taylor and Sting; and performances as featured soloist in movie soundtracks, including, famously, “The Red Violin.”

Was Schubert Beethoven’s biggest fan? Franz Schubert became a passionate devotee of the older composer’s music. In fact, on his deathbed Schubert asked to be buried in a grave alongside Beethoven. Revel in the genius of these two great composers.

One of the most successful producers in history, 16-time Grammy Award winner David Foster joins Pacific Symphony to perform songs from his unparalleled catalog. Popular hits — written for artists including Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Olivia Newton-John, Barbra Streisand and many others — include “You’re the Inspiration,” “The Prayer,” “The Glory of Love” and “St. Elmo’s Fire.”

Hailed by The Independent as a “big pianist with a calmly commanding presence,” Garrick Ohlsson joins Pacific Symphony with Mozart’s Ninth Piano Concerto — a work that legendary pianist Alfred Brendel has referenced as “one of the greatest wonders of the world.” Also featured on the program is the great André Previn conducting the West Coast premiere of his new work for orchestra along with Rachmaninoff’s formidable Second Symphony. 

The 13th Annual Despicable Villains’ Choice Awards. Celebrate Halloween with a concert featuring such frightfully fun film music as “Harry Potter,” “Star Wars,” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Don’t forget to wear your costume — dress as your favorite despicable villain!

A centennial celebration of the First Lady of Song! Pacific Symphony honors Ella Fitzgerald’s remarkable legacy with the sultry ballads and sweet jazz that she made her own — including “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

Composer Hugo Wolf called Bruckner’s Eighth “the creation of a giant, surpassing in spiritual dimension and magnitude all the other symphonies of the master.” Featuring the spiritual voices of the Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael’s Abbey to set the stage and stunning visuals from Clemens Prokop, this monumental work will take you on a journey through symphonic space and time.

Principal clarinetist Joseph Morris won first prize in the Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition and the Hennings-Fischer Foundation Competition. Benjamin Pasternack entered the Curtis Institute of Music at the age of thirteen and was the Grand Prize winner of the inaugural World Music Masters Piano Competition held in Paris and Nice in July 1989. 

“Many persons had thought that the Rhapsody in Blue was only a happy accident…Well, I went out, for one thing, to show them that there was plenty more where that had come from,” said George Gershwin himself. Widely considered Gershwin’s most classical piece, his Piano Concerto in F represents the perfect blend between the rhythmic liberties of jazz fused with classical roots.

Visions of sugarplums and beautiful ballerinas will dance in your head after seeing Tchaikovsky’s delightful Christmas ballet, performed in a condensed version created just for kids. This annual favorite finishes with a grand finale sing-along and a jolly visit from Santa himself!

A beloved holiday tradition, Handel’s celebrated oratorio—with its blazing trumpets, thundering timpani and spectacular “Hallelujah!” chorus—provides a moment during the busy season to experience reflection, renewal and joy.

Celebrate the season with the king of instruments! Enjoy a magnitude of musical splendors with a world-class organist and members of Pacific Symphony performing a delightful mix of sacred and holiday music. Favorite Christmas carols share the bill with traditional organ works that highlight the $3.1 million William J. Gillespie Concert Organ. 

Academy Award-nominated and Grammy-nominated writer, singer, actor, producer and director Seth MacFarlane makes his Orange County debut performing your favorite timeless holiday classics. His gorgeous, lush baritone also delivers sophisticated interpretations from the Great American Songbook, performed in the style of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. 

Beethoven’s only violin concerto remains one of the most widely played and popular works for the instrument. Famous for its spirited final movement, the work reveals the amazing melodic and technical range of the violin. Also featured is Edward Elgar’s regal Symphony No. 1, a work that was performed over 100 times within a year of its premiere and was hailed by The Musical Times as an "immediate and phenomenal success."

Grammy-nominated Russian-American violinist Philippe Quint is lauded for his “searingly poetic lyricism” (Daily Telegraph, UK). His impassioned musical desire for reimagining traditional works and commissioning new works, his dedication to exploring different styles and genres, and his award-winning discography has solidified him as one of the foremost violinists of today.

Grammy Award-winning organist Paul Jacobs, a Pacific Symphony favorite, returns to the Reneé and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall to perform a wide-ranging program of the most virtuosic organ repertoire.

“Romanovsky is the latest pianist to be hailed as the true heir to the great Russian tradition,” said The Guardian. The formidable guest pianist performs Prokofiev’s second piano concerto, which has garnered a reputation for being one of the most technically demanding piano concertos in the repertoire.

Pranks and tricks abound at the annual SuperHeroes’ masked costume ball! And who is this mysterious Bat-Man, the biggest prankster of them all? This lighthearted comic operetta — written by the “Waltz King” Johann Strauss, Jr. — sparkles with fun and lively music and features talented opera singers from Chapman University.

After Prokofiev performed his Second Piano Concerto, the score disappeared. Maestro St.Clair will reveal the mystery behind the long-lost concerto, which will be performed by one of today’s top Russian virtuosos.

Join us for Pacific Symphony's annual festivities honoring the Chinese New Year! Celebrating the Year of the Dog, this performance is sure to sell out once again as audiences from across our communities come together to feast on a colorful presentation of Eastern and Western music and dance. 

Celebrating the centennial of Leonard Bernstein, Steve Reich’s 80th birthday and Frank Ticheli’s 60th, this all-American program features a variety of chamber works in compelling instrumental combinations.

Singer-songwriter Christopher Cross sets sail with Pacific Symphony for an evening of yacht rock featuring smooth sounds from the '70s and '80s. Such hits as “Ride Like the Wind” and “Sailing” garnered five Grammys for this titan of soft rock, while “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” won him the Oscar for “Best Original Song.”

One of Mozart’s most popular operas, The Magic Flute is a fairy tale about love telling the story of Tamino and Papageno, a prince and bird catcher tasked by the Queen of the Night to rescue her daughter Pamina from the confinements of a mysterious high priest. Prepare yourself for an evening filled with magic, comedy and some of opera’s greatest arias!

“Zukerman again seemed the forever-young virtuoso: expressively resourceful, infectiously musical, technically impeccable, effortless. As usual, it was a joy to be in his musical company,” said the Los Angeles Times about living legend Pinchas Zukerman. The violin master makes a return to Pacific Symphony with the profoundly virtuosic Bruch Violin Concerto. 

Two kids — just like you! — find themselves transported inside their favorite video game. Escape with them to a magical world with music from your favorite video games and with our special guests, Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, playing side-by-side with the incredible musicians of Pacific Symphony!

Living legend Pinchas Zukerman performs Bruch’s masterful Violin Concerto. Then, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition takes listeners on a musical stroll through an art gallery that holds colorful paintings, each with its own fascinating story.

After standing ovations and shouts of “Bravo!” during their last visit, we’ve invited a popular band to return to Pacific Symphony with their rollicking, around-the-world musical adventure. However, we are contractually prohibited from announcing the engagement until later this summer. Stay tuned for details… we’ll let you know as soon as we can!

Beauty, thrills and majesty! This popular troupe returns by popular demand with an all-new show featuring a jaw-dropping fusion of fliers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers and strongmen who perform their cirque acts while Pacific Symphony provides a soundtrack of classical masterpieces and contemporary favorites.

Symphony plus circus equals a spectacular show, created especially for kids! The world's greatest circus artists from Cirque de la Symphonie will dazzle and delight in this first-ever Family series concert appearance. Experience a jaw-dropping fusion of fliers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers and strongmen who perform their cirque acts while Pacific Symphony provides a soundtrack of classical masterpieces and contemporary favorites.

Through a highly prized invitation, Pacific Symphony makes its Carnegie Hall debut with this award-winning program during Carnegie’s yearlong celebration of Philip Glass’ 80th birthday. Originally commissioned, premiered and recorded by Pacific Symphony, “The Passion of Ramakrishna” is a work of quiet intensity and unforgettable power—scored for vocal soloists, chorus and large orchestra. Joining Pacific Symphony for this historic concert is sitar soloist Anoushka Shankar, daughter of Ravi Shankar.

Hear this landmark concert before Pacific Symphony presents it during its Carnegie Hall debut!

Jo-Michael Scheibe chairs the Thornton School of Music’s Department of Choral and Sacred Music at the University of Southern California, where he conducts the USC Chamber Singers and teaches choral conducting and choral methods. He is currently the vice president of International Affairs at the American Choral Director’s Association.

Considered the first-ever vampire movie, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror tells the story of a naive real estate agent trapped in a castle in Transylvania after discovering his client, the rich count, is a vampire. Watch this 1922 classic come to life as organist Dennis James provides a chilling soundtrack.

Bach’s serene aria with 30 variations has been described as both a beautiful keyboard work and a “Rubik’s Cube of invention and architecture.” There are over 300 recordings of the work, many in unusual arrangements. Conductor David Robertson’s striking arrangement for String Quartet and Piano receives it world premiere at this performance!

Considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century and a perennial favorite guest of Pacific Symphony, André Watts returns to the stage with one of Beethoven’s most beloved works – the "Emperor Concerto." A work prized for its serene and tender second movement, Beethoven’s last piano concerto is a testament to the composer’s emotional range. Shostakovich complements the evening with his intense 10th Symphony. 

Gramophone places pianist Boris Giltburg “among the truly memorable Rachmaninoff interpreters, an elect including Moiseiwitsch, Horowitz, Kappel, Richter and Cliburn. Giltberg’s originality stems from a convergence of heart and mind, served by immaculate technique and motivated by a deep and abiding love for one of the 20th century’s greatest composer-pianists.” 

In the hands of Stayin' Alive, the worlds’ #1 tribute to the Bee Gees, the quintessential pop culture icons of the 1970s live again! With expert harmonies and undeniable groove, powerful vocals recreate the sound that defined a generation — from blockbusters like “Stayin’ Alive,” “How Deep is Your Love” and “Night Fever” to early hits like “To Love Somebody” and “Massachusetts.”

Anne Akiko Meyers is one of today’s premier violinists and has been described by the Los Angeles Times as a performer of “vigorous mastery, unflinching technical skills and stylish elegance.” Joining her on the stage is Hollywood giant James Newton Howard, considered one of the most versatile and respected composers currently working in film. With an esteemed career spanning over 30 years, Howard is best known for his soundtracks for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1, The Dark Knight and Blood Diamond.

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers plays a suite of film music by Hollywood composer James Newton Howard, who is known for writing such soundtracks as The Village, Defiance and more. The vibrant colors of the orchestra come to life in Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.