Spend an Evening with the Spokane Symphony
From the moment the concertmaster touches his bow to the strings of his violin to the final note and the drop of the conductor’s hands, the Spokane Symphony takes the audience to a new world through their music. Set in the backdrop of the historic Art Deco Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, an evening with the symphony is one to remember for both classical music lovers and those unfamiliar with the genre. The 2018-2019 Spokane Symphony features a wide variety of classics, pops performances, and special events that have become Spokane traditions. Running from September through May, there is a performance, or two, every month. Take a look at the season features below, and plan on spending an evening with the Spokane Symphony, whether you’re visiting Spokane or a local looking for a night out.
Chamber Soiree: Fall
September 25 & 26
Musical elegance awaits in this up-close and personal chamber soirée evening. A mix of baroque, classical, and contemporary music introduced and performed by various ensembles from the Spokane Symphony. Enjoy table seating with wine and light bites or be seated in the gallery of the Marie Antoinette Ballroom in the Historic Davenport Hotel.
Classics 2: The Red Violin
October 6 & 7
Celebrated violin virtuoso Elizabeth Pitcairn, owner of the legendary 1720 Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius, or Red Violin, will perform a work from the film, The Red Violin. Tchaikovsky’s spectacular Fifth Symphony masterfully blends beautiful melodies and poignant emotions.
Pops 1: Cirque de la Symphonie
October 13
Gravity-defying cirque feats are set to classical masterpieces performed by the Spokane Symphony. Enjoy the amazing, acrobatic feats and strong men, along with dancers and jugglers. This jaw-dropping fusion of two art forms will wow symphony audiences of all ages as the award-winning artists of Cirque de la Symphonie push themselves to the limit on and above the stage!
Classics 3: The Heroic
October 20 & 21
Beethoven’s technically challenging Third Symphony, “Eroica,” is regarded as a turning point in musical history, forcing contemporaries to experience a symphony as more than entertainment. Pianist Alon Goldstein returns to perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, one of his greatest and most melodic concertos.
Haunted Hallows - The Music of Harry Potter
October 27
Kick off your Halloween celebration with the magical music from Harry Potter performed live by the Spokane Symphony. This third annual tradition is where Harry Potter fans unite. Dress in costume and enjoy the pre-concert activities. Choose from matinee and evening performances.
Classics 4: Sibelius and Brahms
November 3 & 4
The returning Silver-Garburg Piano Duo perform an arrangement of Brahms’ famous Opus 25, the lyrical and passionate First Piano Quartet. Experience the world of Sibelius, from his joyful tone poem, Finlandia, to his cheerful and concise Third Symphony that creates his signature austere soundscape inspired by his Nordic homeland.
Pops 2: Abba the Concert
November 10
ABBA The Concert, A Tribute to ABBA, brings one of the greatest pop successes in the history of music back to life. A visually and musically stunning tribute to Sweden’s pop superstars, ABBA: The Concert is a remarkable recreation of the group that brought you “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “SOS,” “Fernando,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “Waterloo,” and more. Audiences agree that “this is the closest to ABBA you’ll ever get.”
The M Show No. 1
November 16 & 17
Join in the fun with Spokane Symphony’s ever curious concertmaster, Mateusz Wolski. With an ensemble of musicians, enjoy familiar works from classical and pop along with threads of comedy and film.
The Nutcracker
November 29 - December 2
E.T.A. Hoffman’s story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince is brought to life by the Santa-Barbara based State Street Ballet and more than 75 local dancers. Tchaikovsky’s beloved score is performed live by the Spokane Symphony. The beautiful Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox is dressed in the holiday spirit. A magical tradition you won’t want to miss.
Baroque 1: A Winter Baroque Celebration
December 8 & 9
The best-loved works of the Baroque period kick-off the Christmas spirit. A festive evening of Bach, Vivaldi and more set in the splendor of Spokane area churches.
Pops 3: Holiday Pops
December 22 & 23
A seasonal tradition for the whole family. Join us for the holiday and enjoy your favorite songs and sing-along carols with the Spokane Symphony… and our special out-of-town guest, Santa.
Beethoven’s Ninth on New Year’s Eve
December 31
Hail the new year in all its glory and end with triumph and jubilation. Beethoven’s Ninth is an exhilarating testament to the human spirit. This production will feature more than 150 performers on stage, including four guest vocalists and the Spokane Symphony Chorale, directed by Kristina Ploeger.
Classics 5: Dvorak and Racmaninoff
January 19 & 20
Spokane Symphony Concertmaster Mateusz Wolski will perform another great work from the violin repertoire: Dvorvák’s Violin Concerto. Rachmaninoff’s choral symphony, The Bells, loosely based on a poem by Edgar Allan Poe, is considered by many to be one of his great masterpieces.
Chamber Soiree: Winter
January 29 & 30
Musical elegance awaits in this up-close and personal chamber soirée evening. A mix of baroque, classical, and contemporary music introduced and performed by various ensembles from the Spokane Symphony. Enjoy table seating with wine and light bites or be seated in the gallery of the Marie Antoinette Ballroom.
Pops 4: Michael Cavanaugh - The Music of Billy Joel
February 2
Michael Cavanaugh is the new voice of the American Rock & Roll Songbook. Hand-picked by Billy Joel to star in Joel’s Broadway smash hit, Movin’ Out, Cavanaugh wowed audiences for three years and over 1,200 performances, culminating in both Grammy and Tony-Award nominations. Now he’s backed by the Spokane Symphony performing Billy Joel’s greatest hits.
Classics 6: Passion’s Pursuit
February 16 & 17
Experience the genius of Liszt! His gorgeous Hungarian Rhapsody is followed by his Second Piano Concerto, full of emotion, virtuosity and passion. Brahms’ Fourth Symphony, beautiful, impassioned, and tragic, is the culmination of the composer’s symphonic ideals, resulting in music that is masterful and durable. Zhou Tian’s Rise is a Spokane Symphony co-commission.
Baroque 2: Handel’s Journey
February 23 & 24
Take a journey in the Baroque tradition with Handel, Corelli, and more. From Germany to England via Italy, let the sights and sounds of the old world take you somewhere new.
Pops 5: Seamus Egan Project
March 2
It’s hard to think of an artist in traditional Irish music that is more influential than Seamus Egan. From his beginnings as a teen prodigy to his founding of the Irish-American powerhouse band Solas to his current project touring with friends and musical guests, Egan has helped define the sound of Irish music today. Music comes naturally to Seamus Egan, a master of the Irish flute, tenor banjo, guitar, mandolin, and tin whistle, among others. As a composer, he was behind the soundtrack for the award-winning film, Brothers McMullen and co-wrote Sarah McLachlan’s breakout hit, “Weep Not for the Memories.” Explore the vast beauty of the Irish tradition.
Classics 7: Korngold and Shostskovich
March 9 & 10
Korngold’s captivating Violin Concerto is an intoxicating combination of Hollywood accessibility, rigorous virtuosity, and unabashed romanticism. Shostakovich’s Eighth Symphony, considered one of the composer’s finest, is a requiem for the millions who suffered and died during WWII and under the Stalinist regime.
Classics 8: French Mystique
March 23 & 24
Saint-Saëns’ elegant Violin Concerto showcases the virtuosity of emerging star Simone Porter. Bartók’s popular Concerto for Orchestra, filled with memorable melodies, vibrant rhythms, and orchestral color, allows each instrumental section to shine as virtuoso “soloists.”
Chamber Soiree: Spring
March 26 & 27
Musical elegance awaits in this up-close and personal chamber soirée evening. A mix of baroque, classical, and contemporary music introduced and performed by various ensembles from the Spokane Symphony. Enjoy table seating with wine and light bites or be seated in the gallery of the Marie Antoinette Ballroom in the Historic Davenport Hotel.
Classics 9: Russian Virtuosity
April 13 & 14
Cellist István Várdai takes on Prokofiev’s breathtaking Symphony Concerto, once considered ‘unplayable’ and one of the most challenging works in the cello repertoire. The Russian drama continues as you explore a gallery of primitive paintings and march through the Gates of Kiev in Mussorgsky’s colorful Pictures at an Exhibition.
Pops 6: Pink Martini
April 26 & 27
With a repertoire that spans the globe and an irresistible, chic musical flair, Portland-based Pink Martini returns for a dazzling tour through classical, jazz, and golden-era pop music – all accompanied by our orchestra. Lighthearted yet refined, the self-proclaimed “little orchestra” performs sultry originals and sophisticated interpretations of blockbuster hits and classics from all genres.
Classics 10: Eckhart’s Farewell
May 4 & 5
Experience the unforgettable Concerto of the Mad Queen, at times pulsing and high-energy and at others soft and lyrical, performed by composer Živković. Alpine Symphony by Strauss is the ultimate tone poem — stunning, soaring, majestic — a gorgeous musical extravaganza depicting a dawn-to-dusk hike in the Alps.
The M Show No. 2
May 23 & 24
Join in the fun with Spokane Symphony’s ever curious concertmaster, Mateusz Wolski. With an ensemble of musicians, enjoy familiar works from classical and pop along with threads of comedy and film.