St. Louis Symphony Orchestra April and May concerts feature symphonic favorites to chamber music and films, and special concert with acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma
(March 6, 2024, St. Louis, MO) – Today, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced details of its April and May 2024 concerts. The variety of concerts include the final performances of a season-long exploration of Beethoven’s Piano Concerti, large-scale choral music, a film with score performed live, final performances of the Live at the Pulitzer and Live at The Sheldon chamber music series, two free community concerts, and a special one-night-only concert with international music ambassador Yo-Yo Ma. Additional concerts for May and June 2024 will be announced later.
Tickets are on sale now for all concerts. Tickets may be purchased at slso.org or by calling the Box Office at 314-534-1700. A full concert calendar is available at slso.org or on the SLSO’s mobile app available for iOS or Android. Broadcasts of classical concerts will take place on April 20 and 27 on 90.7 FM KWMU St. Louis Public Radio, Classic 107.3, and online. Audiences can attend a Pre-Concert Conversation, an engaging discussion about the music and artists on the program, one hour prior to each classical concert.
While the expansion and renovation of Powell Hall continues, the SLSO will perform April and May concerts at several venues throughout the region: Stifel Theatre (April 5; 13-14; 27-28; May 3 & 11), The Sheldon (April 7), Pulitzer Arts Foundation (April 9), and the Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis (April 19-21). Shuttle service will be available for concerts at the UMSL’s Touhill Performing Arts Center and Stifel Theatre starting at $15 per seat.
R.E.M. Explored
Friday, April 5, 7:30pm CDT
Stifel Theatre
1400 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103
Ward Stare, conductor
Mike Mills | bass, guitar, and piano (SLSO debut)
Robert McDuffie, violin
Gerry Hansen, drum set (SLSO debut)
John Neff, guitar (SLSO debut)
William Tonks, guitar (SLSO debut)
Mike Mills Concerto for Violin, Rock Band & Orchestra (First SLSO performances)
Supported by KPMG.
The SLSO explores some of the greatest hits of R.E.M.—the Grammy Award-winning American rock band hailing from Georgia—in newly reimagined orchestrations of the band’s legendary catalogue. The orchestra performs many of R.E.M.’s chart toppers including “It’s the End of the World As We Know It,” “Man on the Moon,” and “Everybody Hurts.” Then, Mike Mills—R.E.M. co-founder, singer-songwriter, and bassist—joins the SLSO for performances of his eponymous Concerto for Violin, Rock Band, and Orchestra, a synthesis of his rock background fused with symphonic form that also draws partially from the band’s catalogue, including the 1993 song “Nightswimming.” Grammy-nominated violinist Robert McDuffie joins Mills and a rock band for the St. Louis premiere of this concerto.
Live at The Sheldon: Horn Calls
Sunday, April 7, 3:00pm CDT
The Sheldon 3648 Washington Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, 63108
Roger Kaza, curator and horn
Julie Thayer, curator and horn
Thomas Jöstlein, horn
Blaine Dodson, horn
Tod Bowermaster, horn
Victoria Knudtson, horn
Jessica Cheng Hellwege, violin
Asako Kuboki, violin
Andrew François, viola
Alvin McCall, cello
W.A. Mozart March in F Major, K. 248 (First SLSO performance)
Jean Sibelius (arr. Kuhlmann) “Solitude” from Belshazzar’s Feast (First SLSO performance)
Caroline Shaw Its Motion Keeps (First SLSO performance)
Paul Hindemith Sonata for Four Horns
Richard Wagner (arr. Jeurissen) Tristan Fantasy (First SLSO performance)
J.T. Wolfe Cor for Four Horns (World premiere)
Ludwig van Beethoven Sextet in E-flat major (First SLSO performance)
Limited tickets remain.
In the concluding concert of the inaugural Live at The Sheldon chamber music series, majestic horns herald the arrival of spring with a program of music that spans four centuries, from Mozart’s March, Beethoven’s Sextet, Paul Hindemith’s masterly Sonata for Four Horns, and new music by Caroline Shaw and J.T. Wolfe. The series invites audiences into the world of SLSO musicians, who curate each performance to feature a section of the orchestra. Tickets start at $31.
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Live at the Pulitzer| People and Place
Tuesday, April 9, 7:30pm CDT
Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri, 63108
Erin Schreiber, violin
Shawn Weil, violin
Shannon Farrell Williams, viola
Bjorn Ranheim, cello
Alan Stewart, percussion
Raven Chacon The Journey of the Horizontal People (First SLSO performance)
Osvaldo Golijov Mariel (First SLSO performance)
Molly Herron Three Sarabandes (First SLSO performance)
Clarice Assad Canções da America (First SLSO performance)
This concert is sold out.
The final Live at the Pulitzer concert of the 20th anniversary season celebrates dynamic musical practices from the Americas. The earth tones of Pulitzer Prize winner Raven Chacon tell a future creation story, while Clarice Assad introduces the vibrant folk melodies and dances of South America. Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov conjures the sounds of Brazil in memory of a close friend, and Molly Herron ponders the evolution of the sarabande and its roots in the new world.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Concert
Saturday, April 13, 7:00pm CDT
Sunday, April 14, 2:00pm CDT
Stifel Theatre
1400 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103
Norman Huynh, conductor
John Williams Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Reignite the spark of hope with Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi as the galaxy’s heroes brave the relentless pursuit of the First Order. Journey alongside Rey as she seeks the legendary Luke Skywalker. The SLSO breathes new life into John Williams’ Academy Award-nominated score, performed live along with the film at the Stifel Theatre. Tickets start at $47.
Beethoven’s Second Piano Concerto
Friday, April 19, 10:30am CDT*
Saturday, April 20, 7:30pm CDT
Sunday, April 21, 3:00pm CDT
Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis
1 Touhill Circle, St. Louis, Missouri, 63121
John Storgårds, conductor
Marie-Ange Nguci, piano (SLSO debut)
Jean Sibelius Rakastava (The Lover) (First SLSO performances)
Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2
Per Nørgård Lysning (Glade) (First SLSO performances)
Jean Sibelius Symphony No. 7
*Refreshments courtesy of Kaldi’s Coffee and Eddie’s Southtown Donuts.
Pianist Marie-Ange Nguci, “one the most promising talents of her generation,” according to Le Figaro, brings a youthful spirit to Beethoven’s Second Piano Concerto, the final performances in the SLSO’s exploration of all five Beethoven piano concerti this season. Finnish conductor John Storgårds, a frequent guest to the SLSO, leads audiences into the Nordic woods with Jean Sibelius’ The Lover and Per Nørgård’s Glade. Tickets start at $15.
Community Concert: SLSO Chamber Concert at SLAM
Friday, April 19, 4:00pm CDT
Saint Louis Art Museum
1 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
Anabeth and John Weil Gallery 251
Erin Schreiber, violin
Nicolae Bica, violin
Alejandro Valdepeñas, viola
Alvin McCall, cello
Maurice Ravel String Quartet
Presented in partnership with the Saint Louis Art Museum.
Supported by Commerce Bank.
Seating is first-come, first-served. No tickets or reservations are needed.
In this free community concert, SLSO musicians, led by Associate Concertmaster Erin Schreiber, perform Maurice Ravel’s timeless String Quartet in connection with Matisse and the Sea, an exhibition on display that examines the significance of the seas across Modernist artist Henri Matisse’s career.
St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra: Season Finale
Saturday, April 20, 1:00pm CST
Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis
1 Touhill Circle, St. Louis, Missouri, 63121
Ian Passmore, conductor
Micaela Chyu, violin
Erich Wolfgang Korngold Violin Concerto
Sergei Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2
SLSO education programs are presented by Steward Family Foundation and World Wide Technology. Youth Orchestra programs are presented by Kathleen Clucas and supported in part by G.A., Jr. and Kathryn M. Buder Charitable Foundation, Gateway Metro Federal Credit Union, and ESCO Technologies Foundation.
Celebrated guest conductor Ian Passmore takes the podium to lead the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra in one of the most ambitious symphonies in the repertoire to close its 54th season: Rachmaninoff’s monumental Second. Micaela Chyu, the winner of the annual YO concerto competition, takes the stage in Erich Korngold’s passionate Violin Concerto. Floor seats are free. Balcony tickets are $10.
Community Concert: Creative Music Making
Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 7:00pm CST
Maryville University Auditorium
630 Maryville University Dr., St. Louis, Missouri 63141
Presented in partnership with St. Louis Arc and Maryville University Music Therapy Program.
Supported by The Kuhn Foundation.
In this free community concert, SLSO musicians collaborate with clients of St. Louis Arc and the Maryville University Music Therapy program in a performance that celebrates the music in us all. An annual tradition, this collaborative project empowers adults with disabilities to conceive, rehearse, and perform their very own concert.
Verdi’s Requiem
Saturday, April 27, 7:30pm CDT
Sunday, April 28, 3:00pm CDT
Stifel Theatre
1400 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103
Stéphane Denève, conductor
Hulkar Sabirova, soprano (SLSO debut)
Judit Kutasi, mezzo-soprano (SLSO debut)
Russell Thomas, tenor (SLSO debut)
Adam Palka, bass (SLSO debut)
St. Louis Symphony Chorus | Benjamin Rivera, guest director
Giuseppe Verdi Requiem
Presented by Mary Pillsbury.
Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem opens with hushed intensity, then breaks loose in the famous “Dies Irae.” Performed by an all-star cast of renowned vocalists—all making their SLSO debuts—and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus led by Music Director Stéphane Denève, the Requiem has earned its place as one of the most intense and emotional choral-orchestral pieces of music. Tickets start at $15.
An Evening with Yo-Yo Ma
Friday, May 3, 7:30pm CDT
Stifel Theatre
1400 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103
Stéphane Denève, conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Claude Debussy La Mer
Edward Elgar Cello Concerto
Due to demand and to ensure fairness for purchasing, the public is invited to enter a lottery system to become available to purchase up to two tickets. A lottery drawing will be held on April 9. Lottery winners will have 48 hours to purchase tickets. Note: seats may not be located together.
Yo-Yo Ma is the world’s preeminent musical ambassador, serving not only as an advocate for symphonic music, but also as a philanthropist, speaker, and universally acclaimed cellist. Edward Elgar’s popular Cello Concerto is the vehicle for Ma’s blend of keen intelligence and a firmly beating heart in his first SLSO appearance in more than ten years. Music Director Stéphane Denève leads this collaboration, opening with the multi-layered textures of Claude Debussy’s portrait of the ocean, La Mer.
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony
Saturday, May 11, 7:30pm CDT
Stifel Theatre
1400 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103
George Daugherty, conductor
WARNER BROS. DISCOVER presents BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY. “What’s up, Doc?” A thrilling blend of classical music and classic animation! Bugs Bunny and his Looney Tunes pals join audiences of all ages at Stifel Theatre with the SLSO for Bugs Bunny at the Symphony. A dozen of the world’s most iconic Looney Tunes—What’s Opera, Doc? The Rabbit of Seville, Corny Concerto, Baton Bunny, Long-Haired Hare, and many others, plus five brand new animated shorts—will be projected on the big screen, while their exhilarating original scores are played live by the SLSO, conducted by George Daugherty.
Created by George Daugherty & David Ka Lik Wong
LOONEY TUNES and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s24)