Let’s just say this season is going to be huge for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Not only does it feature a stellar lineup of performances, but it also marks the return to the Robinson Center after two years of construction.
“Homecoming,” the aptly-named 2016-17 season, is divided into four series: Masterworks, Pops Live!, River Rhapsodies Chamber Series and Intimate Neighborhood Concerts. To help you plan your calendar, here’s a breakdown of “Homecoming.”
Masterworks
“The Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks Series presents inspiring music from historical masters like Beethoven, Mozart, and Stravinsky, along with exciting new music from the greatest composers of our time. Superbly talented soloists are paired with works to show instruments, styles, and techniques of composition.”
- Oct. 1-2: Mozart & Schubert*
- Oct. 22-23: Beethoven: Symphony No. 7*
- Nov. 19-20: Pines of Rome
- Jan. 28-29: Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3
- Feb. 25-26: Mahler: Resurrection
- April 8-9: Beethoven & Blue Jeans
*performances before Robinson Center opens
Pops! Live
“The Acxiom Pops Live! Series presents exciting popular music from many genres, including film, Broadway, Rock and Roll, the American Songbook, and jazz. Guest singers and instrumentalists join the orchestra for fun concerts that often involve visual elements that engage and entertain audiences of all ages.”
- Dec. 16-18: Home for the Holidays
- Feb. 11-12: Rock On!
- March 4-5: Imagine: The Music of John Lennon
- May 13-14: Movie Night with the ASO
River Rhapsodies Chamber Music Series
“The River Rhapsodies Chamber Music Series showcases ASO musicians and guest artists in small ensembles. Concerts are held in the intimate setting of the Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Center overlooking the Arkansas River and downtown Little Rock.”
- Oct. 11: Schubert Octet
- Jan. 19: Haydn by Candlelight
- March 9: Peter and the Wolf
- May 4: Appalachian Spring
Intimate Neighborhood Concerts
“ASO, I.N.C.: Intimate Neighborhood Concerts presents gorgeous and acoustically unique venues and music selected specifically to explore the spaces of the concerts. Patrons can get up-close and personal with musicians in chamber orchestra ensembles performing pieces in the settings intended by the composers.”
- Oct. 4: Artist of Distinction: Elisso Bolkvadze
- Oct. 25: Schubert Festival
- Jan. 31: Strauss & Debussy
- Feb. 28: Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio
- March 28: Haydn’s Emperor
- April 11: Airs & Dances
Learn more about the ASO on their website and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.