The Pacific Symphony’s 2026-27 season, its first under new Artistic and Music Director Alexander Shelley, will mark major milestones with concerts devoted to America’s 250th birthday and the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death.
“We’ll examine the humanist ideals that galvanized Beethoven, shaped the Declaration of Independence and defined America as we know it,” Shelley said in a statement. “We’ll consider the core belief that the collective is extraordinary for the individual, the very reason we enter a concert hall in the first place! Above all, we’ll celebrate the artists who continue to propel America’s classical evolution.”
The orchestra will also mark the 40th anniversary of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the 20th anniversary of the center’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
Here are highlights of the season ahead:
Sept. 24: In the opening night celebration, violinist Joshua Bell will be on hand for an expansive program that includes Lalo’s “Symphonie Espagnole,” Bernstein’s Overture to “Candide,” Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances and Gershwin’s Overture to “Girl Crazy.”
Oct. 1-3: The Pacific Chorale will join the orchestra in a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection.”
Oct. 22-25: A “Symphony to the Screen” program will feature Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” James Newton Howard’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with James Ehnes as soloist, and Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra.” The Oct. 25 concert will not include the concerto.
Nov. 19-21: Pianist Nobyyuki Tsujii will tackle Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, while the symphony will also perform Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra.
Dec. 3-5: A program titled “Leading Women” will boast guest conductor Ruth Reinhardt leading Dvorák’s Symphony No. 6 and Grieg’s Piano Concerto, with Joyce Yang as the soloist.
Jan. 16: Emanuel Ax will play Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in a program that will also include Mozart’s Symphony No. 31, “Paris.”
Jan. 28-Feb. 9, 2027: The two-week Beethoven Revolution Festival will feature performances of all nine of the composer’s symphonies over five concerts. On Jan. 30, actor Tama Matheson will star in the original play “Beethoven: I Shall Hear in Heaven.”
Feb. 25-27, 2027: Long Yu will guest conduct Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances while Serena Wang will be the soloist for Qigang Chen’s “Er Huang” for Piano and Orchestra.
March 18-20, 2027: Inmo Yang will play the Sibelius Violin Concerto with Markus Stenz on the podium for a program that also will feature Berlioz’s “Roman Carnival” Overture and Stravinsky’s “Petrushka.”
April 29-May 2, 2027: A program dubbed “From Appalachia to Russia” will combine Aaron Copland’s Suite from “Appalachian Spring” and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with Aristo Sham at the keys. Joana Carneiro conducts.
May 20-23, 2027: “Celestial Cinema” will feature movie composer John Williams’ “Star Wars” Suite for Orchestra as well as his “Escapades” from “Catch Me If You Can” and Holst’s “The Planets.” The May 23 matinee will only feature “The Planets.”
June 10-12, 2027: The season will conclude with Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” and other works. Soprano Karen Slack also will perform.
Returning special events will include Handel’s “Messiah” with the Pacific Chorale on Dec. 6; the Holiday Organ Spectacular on Dec. 22; a Lunar New Year concert on Feb. 13, 2027; and a celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, on March 27, 2027.
Season subscriptions of four to 12 concerts are now available for purchase online, by phone, by mail or in person. For more information, call 714-755-5799 or PacificSymphony.org.