St. Louis Symphony Orchestra October Concerts Span Genres, with US Premiere, Classical Favorites, Chamber Music, Concert for Kids, and Celebration of St. Louis Icon Chuck Berry
The SLSO’s presentation of films with scores performed live begins with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s StoneTM in Concert, October 3-5
Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin leads the SLSO in the US premiere of his own work, Schubertiade: An Orchestral Fantasy, along with W.A. Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25 with acclaimed pianist Emanuel Ax, and Edward Elgar’s Symphony No. 1, October 11-12
The SLSO celebrates the life and legacy of St. Louis native and rock and R&B legend Chuck Berry, featuring band members from the Rolling Stones, the Pretenders, and Living Colour, October 17-18
Assistant Conductor Samuel Hollister leads a Halloween-themed Concert for Kids, welcoming the SLSO debut of soprano Holly Connor, October 19
Conductor Tabita Berglund makes her SLSO debut in a program that includes Sergei Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with frequent SLSO guest Augustin Hadelich, Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, and the first SLSO performances of Harald Sæverud’s The Ballad of Revolt, October 24-25
Violinist Augustin Hadelich leads SLSO musicians in a chamber music concert that includes music by Kenji Bunch, Felix Mendelssohn, and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, October 26
The SLSO collaborates with international vocalist Sissel in a one-night-only concert, October 29
(September 11, 2025, St. Louis, MO) – Today, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced details of its October 2024 concerts, which includes classical favorites by W.A. Mozart, Sergei Prokofiev, and Jean Sibelius; the US premiere of a new work by Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin; a celebration of the legacy of St. Louis rock icon Chuck Berry; the start of the orchestra’s popular film concerts; chamber music that spotlights SLSO string players; and a spooky Concert for Kids.
Tickets for all concerts are on sale now. 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. 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.
All concerts will take place at Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center (718 N. Grand Blvd.), which will reopen in September 2025 following a two-year expansion and renovation of Powell Hall, the first major project at the historic venue since the 1960s. The $140 million project, designed by the internationally acclaimed architecture firm Snøhetta, centers the SLSO’s priorities on artistic excellence, community engagement, and education leadership.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’sStoneTMin Concert
Friday, October 3, 7:00pm CDT
Saturday, October 4, 7:00pm CDT
Sunday, October 5, 2:00pm CDT
Justin Freer, conductor
John Williams Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
All characters and elements © and TM Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s25)
Relive the film that started it all. Watch the wand choose the wizard, a troll run amok, and magic mirrors in high definition while the SLSO performs John Williams’ iconic score. Harry, Ron, and Hermione return to the screen and enchant the world all over again. The orchestra performs John Williams’ iconic score live as the film plays on Powell Hall’s big screen.
Slatkin and Ax | Hope and Humanity
Saturday, October 11, 7:30pm CDT
Sunday, October 12, 3:00pm CDT
Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Emanuel Ax, piano
Leonard Slatkin Schubertiade: An Orchestral Fantasy (US Premiere)
W.A. Mozart Piano Concerto No. 25
Edward Elgar Symphony No. 1
Often it is simple joys like friendship and family that inspire great works of art. This is certainly the case with Edward Elgar’s majestic Symphony No. 1, led in these performances by SLSO Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin, who also presents music of his own for a compelling US premiere. Emanuel Ax, Slatkin’s dear friend and one of the most accomplished pianists of our time, takes the solo spotlight for Mozart’s adventurous Piano Concerto No. 25, a masterpiece described by Ax as pure magic.
Chuck Berry’s Birthday Bash
Friday, October 17, 7:00pm CDT
Saturday, October 18, 2:00pm CDT
Saturday, October 18, 7:00pm CDT
Anthony Parnther, conductor
Featuring band members from the Rolling Stones, the Pretenders, and Living Colour
Repertoire and additional artists announced later.
This concert is part of CHUCK100, organized by the Berry family and Isalee Music Publishing.
Celebrate the legendary Chuck Berry’s birthday with hits from throughout the star’s career performed by the SLSO, his hometown orchestra. Arrangements of Berry’s songs, featuring his distinctive take on R&B and signature guitar-playing style, are accompanied by exclusive video footage and interviews. This tribute is part of the multi-year celebration of the 100th anniversary of Chuck Berry’s birth organized by the Berry family.
Concerts for Kids: Howl and Powell
Sunday, October 19, 3:00pm CDT
Samuel Hollister, conductor
Holly Connor, soprano (SLSO debut)
John Williams Theme from Jurassic Park
Modest Mussorgsky Night on Bald Mountain
Arranged by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Lili Boulanger Of a Sad Evening
Camille Saint-Saëns Danse macabre
Edvard Grieg “In the Hall of the Mountain King” from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1
Antonín Dvořák Song to the Moon from Rusalka
John Williams “Harry’s Wondrous World” from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
In the first Concert for Kids of the 25/26 season, Assistant Conductor Samuel Hollister leads a hauntingly fun musical adventure for the whole family. This 45-minute concert is filled with playful melodies, ghostly tunes, and fun surprises, perfect for the Halloween season. Families are encouraged to come in costume. Soprano Holly Connor makes her SLSO debut in Dvořák’s Song to the Moon, highlighting a program that musically depicts dinosaurs, trolls, ghosts, and wizards. This concert will be most enjoyed by children ages 6+ and is inclusive of people with sensory sensitivities. Accommodations will be provided so that everyone may enjoy the experience of live orchestral music.
Prokofiev and Sibelius | From Dark to Light
Friday, October 24, 10:30am CDT*
Saturday, October 25, 7:30pm CDT
Tabita Berglund, conductor (SLSO debut)
Augustin Hadelich, violin
Harald Sæverud The Ballad of Revolt (First SLSO performances)
Sergei Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2
Jean Sibelius Symphony No. 2
*Coffee Concert Series supported by EverTrue
The SLSO welcomes acclaimed violinist Augustin Hadelich and rising star conductor Tabita Berglund for a celebration of the music, architecture, and nature of Nordic countries. Called “one of the most exciting violinists of his generation” by The New York Times, Hadelich shines in a performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s Second Violin Concerto. Harald Sæverud’s The Ballad of Revolt captures the spirit and defiance of Norway under occupation by the Nazis in the 1940s. The orchestra sets off on a journey through the countryside in Jean Sibelius’ sweeping Symphony No. 2. Performed in Powell Hall, whose expansion and renovation was designed by the Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta.
Chamber Concert with Augustin Hadelich
Sunday, October 26, 3:00pm CDT
Augustin Hadelich, violin & curator
Celeste Golden Andrews, violin
Alison Harney, violin
Kristin Ahlstrom, violin
Alejandro Valdepeñas, viola
Michael Casimir, viola
Bjorn Ranheim, cello
Yin Xiong, cello
Kenji Bunch String Circle (First SLSO performances)
Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson Blue/s Forms (First SLSO performances)
Felix Mendelssohn String Octet
Augustin Hadelich, the internationally acclaimed violinist, curates and leads a special chamber music program that shines a light on the wide-ranging talents of SLSO musicians. Hadelich brings his “highly expressive and technically brilliant” (KDHX) musicality to the program, spotlighting musicians in small ensembles on the Powell Hall stage, offering a glimpse into the vast world of chamber music.
An Evening with Sissel
Wednesday, October 29, 7:30pm CDT
Samuel Hollister, conductor
Sissel Kyrkjebø, vocals
Repertoire and additional artists announced later.
Presented in partnership with the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries.
Renowned vocalist Sissel Kyrkjebø, who mesmerized audiences worldwide as the ethereal voice of the movie Titanic, joins the SLSO for an unforgettable evening of artistry, elegance, and emotion. Considered one of the world’s top crossover sopranos, Sissel’s musical style ranges from classical vocals and operatic arias to pop and folk songs. Sissel has partnered with a variety of renowned vocalists—from stars of the opera world like Plácido Domingo and José Carreras to Irish folk band The Chieftains, singer/songwriter and pianist Neil Sedaka, Brian May of the band Queen, rapper Warren G, and jazz singers Dee Dee Bridgewater and Diana Krall—showcasing her vast range and appreciation for music in all forms.
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