Sep 28, 2019
Presented in partnership with
Oct 18, 2019
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Robert Moody and Memphis Symphony Orchestra take the Beethoven Symphony No. 7 and completely dissect it! The first hour of the concert will feature Maestro Moody serving as host as he digs deep into the history and architecture of Beethoven’s 7th, one of the most famous symphonies ever written. (Did you know that Beethoven 7 has been prominently featured in several major motion pictures, including “The King’s Speech” and “Moneypit!”)
Moody says, “I will try to make this 'informance' very enjoyable; my delivery will be 'college professor meets Jimmy Fallon!'"
Memphis Symphony Orchestra will play small excerpts of the symphony; sometimes only the melody, other times only the accompanying harmony and rhythm, highlighting insight into how the work was put together.
And then, after intermission, Memphis Symphony Orchestra will perform the entire 37-minute symphony as it was meant to be performed, but with text on-screen above the orchestra, guiding the audience through the experience in a “play-by-play” manner.
Jan 31, 2020
This very fun concert will show the audience just how music went from single monastic tones in the 9th Century to the explosion of musical styles we now celebrate in the 21st. The concert begins with medieval Gregorian Chant (including a “nudge nudge wink wink” nod to Monty Python!) and ends with music of Composer/D.J. Mason Bates and Frank Zappa!
In between we will explore how music advanced, from Gabrielli, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, to Dvorak, Joplin, Gershwin, and Bernstein. The audience will enjoy a much larger than normal “smorgasbord” of short musical works, so that the evolution of this most incredible art form (Music!) will be inspiring and clear.
Mar 6, 2020
Robert Moody takes Stravinsky's immortal music/theater piece A Soldier’s Tale, written during World War I, and creates a mash-up with the greatest tunes legendary blues guitarist, Robert Johnson, who met the “Devil at the Crossroads” near Clarksdale, Mississippi, not long after Stravinsky told his musical tale.
Grammy winner and blues artist is both narrator and blues performer in this concert. Lauded actor Charles Hold portrays both the Soldier and the Devil (you’ll have to come to see how that works!), and Briana Brown of New Ballet Ensemble dances the role of the captive Princess.
This is a one hour show with no intermission.
Oct 12, 2019
Kalena Bovell, conductor
Gavin Hope, vocalist
Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 7:30pm | Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
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MSO kicks off the Pops season right! Singer Gavin Hope (star of Rent, member of the famed a cappella group “The Nylons”) joins MSO and will have you singing and dancing to some of the greatest soul and pop hits ever recorded! Come hear top hits of Earth Wind and Fire, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, The Commodores, Outkast, and many more!
Dec 21, 2019 - Dec 22, 2019
MAGIC OF MEMPHIS HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR!
Robert Moody and Kalena Bovell, conductors
Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 7:30 pm BUY TICKETS
Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 2:30 pm BUY TICKETS
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
The Mid-South’s biggest and most beloved Holiday tradition! Come sing along with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the MSO Chorus, revel in the grandeur of “Black Nativity” presented in collaboration with Hattiloo Theatre, and witness the touching homecoming of a soldier to his family at Christmas! Make Magic of Memphis your family’s new tradition in 2019!
Jan 25, 2020
An Evening with Pop Superstar Amy Grant!
Kalena Bovell, conductor, Amy Grant, vocalist
Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 7:30 pm | Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
From “My Father’s Eyes” to “Baby, Baby,” Tennessee’s own Amy Grant has been a mainstay of Christian Contemporary and Pop culture for nearly forty years! MSO is honored to welcome this multi-Grammy winner to Memphis for an unforgettable night at the Cannon Center!
May 9, 2020
RHAPSODY IN BLUE
Robert Moody, conductor
Featuring guest artists Vanessa Thomas, vocalist, and Tamir Hendelman, jazz piano
Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 7:30 pm | Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
A true “Night at the Pops” with Maestro Moody, MSO, and a star-studded cast! Jazz star Tamir Hendelman has performed with Natalie Cole and Barbra Streisand, and his rendition of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody” is not to be missed! Vanessa Thomas has traveled the world with Doc Severinsen, and wows audiences with music from Puccini Opera to Gospel and Blues. MSO plays the great Sorcerer’s Apprentice as Robert Moody hosts and conducts. It doesn’t get better than this!
Oct 20, 2019
Music for the Soul in Sacred Spaces
Sunday, October 20, 2019 at 2:30pm at Christ United Methodist Church
Forrest I Thank God for this Amazing Day
Lauridsen Prayer
Gjeilo Music from Sunrise Mass
Vaughan Williams Benedicite
The first of Memphis Symphony Orchestra's new Stained Glass Series, Robert Moody Conducts Master Choral Works will profoundly move your musical soul!
Dec 5, 2019 - Dec 6, 2019
Music for the Soul in Sacred Spaces | Handel's Messiah
Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 7:30 pm & Friday, December 6, 2019 at 7:30 pm | Lindenwood Christian Church Robert Moody, conductor Memphis Symphony Chorus, Dr. Lawrence Edwards, director
Mary Wilson, soprano | Logan Tanner, alto
Robert Mack, tenor | Hyung Yun, bass
Part of MSO's new Stained Glass Series George Handel's classic piece, Messiah, reminds us what the Christmas season is all about. Don't let Christmas come and go without hearing this magnificent musical work in person.
Oct 26, 2019 - Oct 27, 2019
Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 7:30 pm BUY TICKETS
Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 2:30 pm BUY TICKETS
MSO’s own Principal Trombone, Greg Luscombe plays a work written for Tommy Dorsey. Special guest conductor, David Neely leads your Memphis Symphony Orchestra in a powerful work by composer Williams Grant Still, and one of the most famous of all works – Scheherazade!
With close Memphis connections, Williams Grant Still is one of America's first and best African American composers.
Scheherazade has been widely recognized as one of the top 10 musical pieces of all time. The story of Scheherazade was born of an old Sultan who took a new wife and following their first night together, he would have her killed. Then he would take another wife. One particular wife began to tell him a story of Sinbad on their wedding night. She arrived at a part of the climax, or "cliffhanger" and stopped the story. The Sultan asked for the ending and she said she would tell him the next night. This carried on for 1,001 nights until he finally decided he was in love with her and stayed with her forever. Thus was born the "1,001 Arabian Nights."
Nov 23, 2019 - Nov 24, 2019
Robert Moody, conductor and Benjamin Beilman, violin
Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 7:30pm | Cannon Center for the Performing Arts (map) BUY TICKETS Sunday, November 24, 2019 at 2:30pm | GPAC (map) BUY TICKETS
Bach Orchestral Suite No. 3, Beethoven Violin Concerto, & Brahms Symphony No. 3
“The Three B’s!” Maestro Moody and Benjamin Beilman – one of the top violinists in the world – join MSO for an amazing journey through the classical music of giants Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. A surprise encore may even be in the works!
Jan 18, 2020 - Jan 19, 2020
Robert Moody, conductor, Zuri Wells, marimba and Mary Wilson, soprano
Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 7:30pm | Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 2:30pm | GPAC
Sibelius Finlandia
Abe Prism Marimba Concerto
Mahler Symphony No. 4
Rising percussion star Zuri Wells plays composer Keiko Abe’s awesome marimba concerto. Top soprano Mary Wilson joins for Mahler’s powerful 4th Symphony. And we begin with one of the most famous of all themes – Finlandia!
Feb 29, 2020 - Mar 1, 2020
STRAVINSKY'S THE FIREBIRD SUITE
Robert Moody, conductor and Bryan Wallick, piano
Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 7:30pm | Cannon Center for the Performing Arts BUY TICKETS
Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 2:30pm | GPAC BUY TICKETS
Patterson Ventures on the Bluff
Grieg Piano Concerto
Gandolfi World Premiere
Stravinsky Firebird Suite
Music of MSO’s own Robert Patterson, and world premiere written for MSO by Michael Gandolfi, commissioned by Paul and Linnea Bert! One of the most famous of all piano concertos, and Stravinsky's Firebird make this a can’t miss experience!
Nov 9, 2019 - Nov 10, 2019
Christopher Ward, guest conductor | Michelle Cann, piano
Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 7:30 pm | Harris Concert Hall, U. of Memphis (map) BUY TICKETS Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 2:30 pm | GPAC (map) BUY TICKETS
British conductor, Christopher Ward, makes his American debut with music of European master composers Mozart and Beethoven. World class pianist Michelle Cann debuts with MSO, and a powerful work of George Walker rounds out the program!
Feb 22, 2020 - Feb 23, 2020
Harvey Felder, conductor
Barrie Cooper, Marcin Arendt, Clayton Hancock, & Kailee McGillis, violin soloists
Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 7:30 pm BUY TICKETS
Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 2:30 pm BUY TICKETS
Harris Concert Hall, University of Memphis
Vivaldi The Four Seasons
Piazzolla The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
Four violin soloists (from both MSO and the U of M, as well as two young prodigy violinists) will be featured on this concert. Vivaldi’s most famous “Four Seasons” is inter-woven with the amazing Tango-inspired “Four Seasons” of Argentina’s great composer Astor Piazzolla!
May 16, 2020 - May 17, 2020
Philip Himebook, tenor, and Hyung Yun, baritone
Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 7:30 pm | Harris Concert Hall, University of Memphis BUY TICKETS
Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 2:30 pm | Germantown Performing Arts Center BUY TICKETS
Ravel Scenes from Mother Goose
Bizet duet from The Pearl Fishers
Mahler Das Lied von der Erde
Two powerhouse opera singers, Mahler’s “Song of the Earth” and Ravel’s amazingly beautiful music inspired by five stories from “Mother Goose.” A perfect concert for Spring, and a perfect way to conclude our phenomenal season!
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Stay in touch with all the latest news from Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Check back regularly to see which Memphis Symphony Orchestra musician we interview next. Plus we will also be posting our Maestro Moody Minute videos featuring Robert Moody talking about our exciting concert season!
“Music is the one great thing that can unite all people. Live music is very special no matter how it is delivered. The challenge to connect with the entire community is the reason I wanted to be in Memphis.”
- Robert Moody, MSO Music Director
“This life is about more than me, it's about how many people we can influence and touch,”
- Kalena Bovell, Assistant Conductor
“The musicians are the orchestra. Their talent and contribution to Memphis is why we exist and we appreciate the artists for everything they do and have done to make this a wonderful place to live.”
- Peter Abell, MSO President and CEO
“The Circle brings an urgent purpose to the Memphis Symphony Orchestra; to share the power of music with all Memphians and to awaken the creative impulse within the community to spur innovation”
- Gayle S. Rose