Hartford Symphony Orchestra

The season will conclude with Orff’s epic cycle. Based on the medieval collection of poems, Carmina Burana forms a scenic and magical cantata of singers, choruses, instruments and images, including its best-known movement, “O Fortuna,” that opens and closes the piece.

The HSO begins its 69th season with two choral masterpieces: Symphony No. 9 is Beethoven at his most revolutionary and philosophical – including its exuberant finale, the “Ode to Joy” chorus. Xian’s Yellow River Cantata, with its famous “Ode to the Yellow River,” is one of China’s quintessential and most celebrated choral works.

Appalachian Spring has endured as one of America’s most beloved orchestral works, with its memorable conclusion based on the Shaker hymn, “Simple Gifts.”

Eminent Julliard String Quartet violinist and conductor Joel Smirnoff will make his HSO debut leading some of the most memorable string compositions in the world, as well as Tchaikovsky’s rich and evocative Symphony No. 1, “Winter Daydreams.”

Symphonie Fantastique changed the musical world and will take audiences to a place just as vivid, obsessive and passionate as it was in Berlioz’s day.

This second program of romantic themes will feature Mahler’s tender musical love letter to his beloved Alma, alongside the seductress Carmen’s warning of the perils of romance and Rachmaninoff’s compelling and complex Piano Concerto No. 3.

This concert will explore the genius of Mozart – from his very first symphony written at the age of eight – to his last, composed at 32, along with concerti performed by HSO Principal musicians.

This inspired and tantalizing musical feast will feature guest conductor Rossen Milanov, recognized for his “strong interpretive concept” by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The dynamic Anderson & Roe Piano Duo will join the HSO in a Gershwin revue that also will feature the duo’s original arrangement of Piazzolla’s Libertango and other four-hand piano encores.

For the season finale, the HSO will perform music of composers who dismissed convention to create vivid new sounds.