Rimsky-Korsakov | Scheherazade
—Scott Moore, violin
Hindemith | Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber

Scheherazade, based on the Middle Eastern folktales, One Thousand and One Nights, showcases Rimsky-Korsakov’s mastery as an orchestrator and storyteller. Waves of sound feature many instrumental solos with a prominent role throughout for the solo violin. Our very own talented Concertmaster, Scott Moore, will be featured in this performance.

The German-Jewish composer Paul Hindemith was newly settled in New York in 1951 when he transformed his sketches of a ballet based on themes by Carl Maria von Weber into his “American Symphony”.

Mascagni | Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
Brahms | Piano Concerto No. 2
—Clayton Stephenson, piano Mr. Stephenson appears by arrangement with The Cliburn
Schumann | Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish”

Mascagni’s emotional orchestral intermezzo from the opera Cavalleria Rusticana will open this program after which we welcome back the gifted pianist, Clayton Stephenson, for a performance of Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2.

Schumann’s “Rhenish” Symphony, which captures the sights and sounds of the landscape along Germany’s scenic Rhine River, will bring a peaceful conclusion to our evening.

Featuring Lexington Children’s Chorus under the auspices of Lexington Music School, New World Chorale and special guest, Santa Claus!

Our signature holiday event!  

Every year, our Holiday POPS! concerts explore a different facet of this most wonderful time of the year. Celebrate the magic of the holidays with us!

*No Pre-concert talk for Holiday POPS

Sheng | China Dreams: II. Fanfare
Anger | Morin Khuur Concerto No. 2 —Monkho, morin khuur McPhee, Colin | Tabuh-Tabuhan Toccata for 2 pianos and orchestra
Stravinsky | Petrushka

This concert offers a culturally rich and exhilarating evening that you won’t want to miss! The international Mongolian morin khuur soloist, Monkho will perform a concerto featuring that ancient national instrument. Colin McPhee’s composition was inspired by melodies played on the Balinese gamelan. We will remain in the Far East as Igor Stravinsky’s Petrushka tells us the magical story of three puppets that come to life in a Russian street fair.

Still | Bells Shostakovich | Violin Concerto No. 1 —Callum Smart, violin
Bartok| Concerto for Orchestra

British violinist Callum Smart returns by popular demand to Lexington Symphony to perform Shostakovich’s evocative Violin Concerto No. 1. Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra was commissioned by Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Serge Koussevitsky in 1943. This popular piece is filled with opportunities for each section of the orchestra to shine as the piece builds to an exuberant conclusion.

Mendelssohn (McPhee arr.) | A Midsummer Night’s Dream —with Lexington Children’s Chorus

Our season finale features the Lexington Children’s Chorus performing in Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This composition is adapted and arranged by Maestro McPhee and expands Mendelssohn’s incidental music into a full evening that explores Shakespeare’s comedic wit and warmly human story where the real and fairy worlds collide.