The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) celebrates the Halloween weekend with two concerts 8:00 P.M Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31 at historic Music Hall. Conductor Simone Young will lead the CSO in performing works from Johannes Brahms and Franz Liszt.
Under the baton of Ms. Young (known especially for her mastery of operatic repertoire), the program will begin with Brahm’s Schicksalslied, Op.54, which translates to “Songs of Destiny.” First conducted October 18, 1871 in Karlsruhe, Germany, this choral work explores themes of spirits and humanity. Another work by Brahms titled Nänie, will also be performed. This piece, which translates to “Funeral Song” features rich orchestral and choral textures showing off the grandeur of Cincinnati’s own May Festival Chorus. Biographer Malcolm MacDonald considers Nänie to be “possibly the most radiant thing [Brahms] ever wrote.” Concluding the evening’s event will be Dante Symphony by the legendary composer Franz Listz. This work was inspired by the classic Divine Comedy, in which Dante recounts his journey to hell. Listz’s Dante Symphony will provide an appropriate ending to the Halloween weekend concert series.
Tickets for this concert start at just $12 and are available by calling the CSO Box Office at (513) 381-3300 or visiting www.cincinnatisymphony.org. In addition, late-night (post-concert) ghost tours of Music Hall are available to purchase along with concert tickets. Visit the CSO’s website or call the Box Office to add a ghost tour to a concert ticket purchase.
Learn more about Conductor Simone Young in this Q&A for Fanfare Cincinnati (the CSO’s program book).
Ignite Night
Ticketholders are invited to join members of the CSO’s Ignite program (ages 18-30 and/or full-time students) are invited to join in a free after-party in the Music Hall lobby immediately following Friday’s concert, including live music from local band, The Eclipse Movement, cash bar, dessert, a selfie booth and more. No RSVP required. More details are available on Facebook.
The CSO is grateful to Ascent Series Sponsor Paycor, and to The Ladislas & Vilma Segoe Family Foundation for its generous sponsorship of these concerts.