The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra opens its 147th season at Forest Park and Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center, September 16–27
Music Director Stéphane Denève and the orchestra open the season with the annual free concert in Forest Park, drawing tens of thousands to Art Hill, September 16
The SLSO and conductor Justin Freer perform the iconic John Williams score to Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsTMas the film plays on Powell Hall’s big screen, September 18-20
On September 26-27, Denève and the SLSO present the first classical program of the season, welcoming superstar pianist Yefim Bronfman for Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2, complementing an Italian-themed program that includes Ottorino Respighi’s Pines of Rome, Hector Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture, and Andrea Tarrodi’s Liguria
(August 17, 2026, St. Louis, MO) – Today, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced details of its September programs, the first two weekends of concerts in its 147th season. Concerts include the popular concert in Forest Park and the opening weekend of classical concerts with Grammy Award–winning pianist Yefim Bronfman, both led by Music Director Stéphane Denève, plus the season’s first film presentation. The season builds upon the momentum of the opening of the newly named Jack C. Taylor Music Center in September 2025, following a two-year transformational renovation and expansion of Powell Hall, the orchestra’s home since 1968. The inaugural season in the Jack C. Taylor Music Center welcomed more than 180,000 people to experience live music in person, an 18 percent increase from the most recent season in Powell Hall (2022/23 season).
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. The September 26 concert will be broadcast live on 90.7 KWMU St. Louis Public Radio and Classic 107.3.
Forest Park Concert
Wednesday, September 16, 7:00pm CDT
Art Hill in Forest Park, 35 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
Stéphane Denève, conductor
Members of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus | Erin Freeman, director
Members of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus | Kevin McBeth, director
John Stafford Smith “The Star-Spangled Banner”
J. Rosamund Johnson / arr. Holland “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Ottorino Respighi The Pines of the Villa Borghese from The Pines of Rome
Ludwig van Beethoven Allegro from Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral”
Aaron Copland Simple Gifts from Old American Songs
Carl Orff O Fortuna from Carmina Burana
George Gershwin Oh Lawd, I’m on My Way from Porgy and Bess
Leonard Bernstein “Mambo” from West Side Story
Various / arr. Hayman/Kessler Armed Forces Salute
John Williams March of the Resistance from Star Wars: The Force Awakens
John Williams Battle of the Heroes from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
John Williams Throne Room and End Title from Star Wars Suite
John Philip Sousa The Stars and Stripes Forever
Performed in memory of Mary Ann Lee.
Celebrate the start of the 2026/27 season with friends and family at the SLSO’s beloved annual concert. Music Director Stéphane Denève leads the SLSO in a vibrant program featuring highlights of the upcoming concert season at Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center. Selections from orchestral masterworks by Beethoven, Copland, and Respighi meet film scores by John Williams, a tribute to the Armed Forces, and choral selections featuring members of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus. Arrive early for food trucks at the top of Art Hill, a family fun zone, and more.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsTM in Concert
Friday, September 18, 7:00pm CDT
Saturday, September 19, 7:00pm CDT
Sunday, September 20, 2:00pm CDT
Justin Freer, conductor
John Williams Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
All characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. J.K. ROWLING`S WIZARDING WORLD™ J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR.
Cars fly, trees fight back, and a mysterious house-elf comes to warn Harry Potter™ at the start of his second year at Hogwarts™. Adventure and danger await when bloody writing on a wall announces: The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Saving Hogwarts will require all of Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s magical abilities and courage. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ enchanting score live to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ as the enduring film plays on Powell Hall’s big screen.
Opening Weekend | Italian Splendor
Saturday, September 26, 7:30pm CDT
Sunday, September 27, 3:00pm CDT
Stéphane Denève, conductor
Yefim Bronfman, piano
Hector Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture
Franz Liszt Piano Concerto No. 2
Andrea Tarrodi Liguria (First SLSO performances)
Ottorino Respighi Pines of Rome
The SLSO opens its classical programs with the splendors of Italy with Music Director Stéphane Denève and guest artist, pianist Yefim Bronfman. Visit a kaleidoscopic carnival in Hector Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture and venture through colorful fishing villages of the northern coast in Andrea Tarrodi’s Liguria. Ottorino Respighi’s Pines of Rome guides listeners through parks and catacombs and then to the dark forests of the Italian hills, finishing in a blaze of glory in one of the most thrilling orchestral endings ever written. At the center of the program, the dazzling technique of Grammy Award–winning pianist Yefim Bronfman transports audiences from the dream-like to the thunderous in Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2. After the Saturday concert, audiences are invited to After Party, a free social event in the lobbies of the Jack C. Taylor Music Center with orchestra musicians, to celebrate the start of a new season.
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