Oregon Symphony and Music Director David Danzmayr Announce 2023-24 Season

This new season unites Oregonians through music and speaks to the resilience of the human spirit. 

Oregon Symphony announces its 2023-2024 live concert season programming at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland and Smith Auditorium at Willamette University in Salem. Designed to inspire audiences, speak to the resilience of the human spirit and demonstrate how live music can forge connections by creating common ground, the 2023-24 season opens on September 10, 2023 with internationally revered cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Oregon Symphony.

“Uniting through music and its power to inspire, educate, and bring joy are the catalysts behind the 2023-24 season,” says Oregon Symphony President and CEO Scott Showalter. “By creating shared musical experiences through live performances, the Oregon Symphony strengthens our communities, providing a place for people to come together and enjoy world-class music, and fostering a sense of togetherness that is more important now than ever before.”

“The focus of the 2023-24 season will explore the themes of adversity and resilience, and how they impact composers and their music,” says Oregon Symphony Music Director David Danzmayr. “Every concert presents an opportunity for the Oregon Symphony to offer our audiences a thought-provoking and inspiring experience that will stay with them long after the performance has ended.”

The Oregon Symphony continues to move music forward by bringing some of the world’s most popular artists to Oregon, and through its creative programming, community engagement, and Creative Alliance.

The Creative Alliance, now in its third season, is Oregon Symphony’s musical coalition of thought leaders and innovators. Designed to bring unique perspectives to the stage, and to Oregon and Southern Washington communities, the 2023-24 Creative Alliance members include Creative Chair Gabriel Kahane, Artistic Partner Nathalie Joachim, Violinist and Artist-in-Residence Simone Lamsma, Principal Guest Conductor Jun Märkl, Portland-based Composer/Performer and Composer-in-Residence Andy Akiho, and Bassist and Artist-in-Residence Xavier Foley. Collectively, this continuing and evolving coalition of artists will inspire and challenge audiences with music that speaks to individual experiences and explores meaningful issues facing us all.

The 2023-24 season includes concerts that encompass popular favorites, critically acclaimed artists, and celebrated works by living composers.

Popular Favorites
The Classical Series opens September 30-October 2, 2023, with Music Director David Danzmayr conducting Mahler’s First Symphony. Danzmayr also conducts Tchaikovsky’s passionate and soulful “Pathétique” on November 4-6, 2023. On December 2-4, 2023, the Symphony brings the holiday spirit to life with Handel’s Messiah. The spiritual journey of Beethoven’s Fifth (February 10-12, 2024), and Mozart’s Requiem, a piece that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit (April 6-8, 2024) are conducted by Danzmayr. Delyana Lazarova conducts Dvorak’s brooding and mysterious Seventh Symphony on May 11-13, 2024.  

This year’s Pops Series, which plays popular musical hits from a variety of eras, includes the Legendary Worlds of John Williams with the Oregon Symphony (November 25 & 26, 2023), and the “sensational” (The New York Times) vocalist Storm Large and Oregon Symphony with Portland-resident and America’s Got Talent star Jimmie Herrod (March 16 & 17, 2024), among others.

The popular Popcorn Concert Series returns with the orchestra performing scores live as films are projected on the big screen. Feature films include Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Toy Story, Jurassic Park, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1.

Critically Acclaimed Artists
The Oregon Symphony welcomes several critically acclaimed artists to the hall in the 2023-24 season, starting with the artistic mastery of cellist Yo-Yo Ma performing with the Symphony for one night only on September 10, 2023. On October 14-16, 2023, riveting cellist Joshua Roman performs Elgar’s fiery and elegant Cello Concerto. As part of Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony concert program on January 13-15 2024, composer/pianist Conrad Tao, who is touted as “the kind of musician who is shaping the future of classical music” (New York Magazine), plays Haydn’s Piano Concerto in D Major, and the Oregon Symphony performs Tao’s composition Over. Composer/Pianist Timo Andres performs his composition The Blind Bannister Piano Concerto from February 10-12, 2024. In addition, from February 17-19, 2024, world renowned violinist Gil Shaham plays Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. Patrons will revel in violin virtuoso James Ehnes’ performance of Brahms’ Violin Concerto, March 9-11, 2024. Dutch violinist Simone Lamsma, known as one of classical music’s most striking and captivating musical personalities, performs Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor from April 20-22, 2024, and pianist Simon Trpčeski plays Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, May 11-13, 2024.

In addition to these critically acclaimed visiting artists, several Oregon Symphony musicians will be spotlighted during the 2023-24 concert season. Concertmaster Sarah Kwak and Principal Viola Amanda Grimm perform Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Violin & Viola (October 28-30, 2023). Plus, Principal Bassoon Carin Miller displays the instrument’s suave tones in Villa-Lobos’ Ciranda das Sete Notas from June 8-10, 2024.

Celebrated Works by Living Composers
The Oregon Symphony continues to move music forward by featuring works of leading living composers throughout the season. Audiences will experience the first of these extraordinary works September 30-October 2, 2023 with the world premiere of a new Oregon Symphony commission composed by Creative Chair Gabriel Kahane. Mason Bates’ Anthology of Fantastic Zoology brings a bevy of mythological creatures to life from October 14-16, 2023. Then, from November 4-6, 2023, Composer-in-Residence Andy Akiho performs his own composition (an Oregon Symphony co-commission and West Coast premiere) inspired by and paying tribute to the art of Jun Kaneko’s storied career. Composer and Portland resident Giancarlo Castro is showcased in his world premiere and Oregon Symphony commission from June 1-3, 2024. To complete the year, composer Gabriella Smith makes an urgent appeal to protect our fragile ecosystem in One, from June 8-10, 2024. Other programs include works by international composers such as Australian Elena Kats-Chermin, Briton James Wilson and Bulgarian Dobrinka Tabakova.

Music for Families
Music for Families (formerly called the “Kids Series”) are hour-long concerts that feature live dancers, a youth choir, and other fun elements. Associate Conductor Deanna Tham leads the orchestra for these family-friendly concerts which are the perfect introduction for young listeners to the Symphony. The new season features Trills & Treasures, a musical adventure with interactive elements and a mix of popular music from Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, and more (November 12, 2023). On March 3, 2024, Musical Olympics will appeal to sports fans and music lovers alike. Wands & Wizards (April 14, 2024) will keep families spellbound throughout the performance with music from Dukas’ Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Harry Potter, and more.

Subscribe now for the best 2023-24 season seats at the best price. Individual ticket sales for all concerts go on sale in August 2023. Ticket information and pricing is available at www.orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353.