Mobile Symphony Orchestra 2008-2009 Season 

     The Universal Energy Series

      MSO 08-09 Season brochure

Season Tickets Renewals are now available online, click here.

Single Tickets for these concerts will go on sale August 1st.

OPENING NIGHT:  Big Blue- Kinetic Energy          

    Alain Lefevre , piano soloist 

Saturday, September 13, 2008  8pm

Sunday, September 14, 2008  2:30pm 

          Korngold- The Sea Hawk

          Ravel- Piano Concerto

          Gershwin- Rhapsody In Blue

          Respighi- Roman Festivals

Our opening concert features George Gershwin’s fabulous tour-de-force, Rhapsody in Blue and the dynamic Ravel Piano Concerto, both played by renowned Canadian Pianist, Alain Lefevre . This crowd-pleaser will also include swashbuckling symphonic music from the 1940 film, The Sea Hawk by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Respighi’s triumphant Roman Festivals.

Vibrant Rhythms- Percussive Energy           

    Evelyn Glennie , percussionist 

Saturday, October 18, 2008  8pm

Sunday, October 19, 2008  2:30pm

          Tchaikovsky- Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture

          Puts- Percussion Concerto

          Masson- Concert piece for Snare Drum and Orchestra

          Tchaikovsky- 1812 Overture

Evelyn Glennie, the most famous percussionist in the world joins the Mobile Symphony in a concert unlike any you've experienced. Scottish percussionist, Evelyn Glennie’s rhythmic virtuosity is as much a joy to watch as it is to hear. Dame Evelyn will be performing Kevin Puts' challenging Percussion Concerto, which was written especially for her. Also at this performance, prepare yourself for the rousing symphonic masterpiece the MSO has never performed at the Saenger Theatre, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture !!!  

Click here to view a video of Evelyn Glennie. 

BEETHOVEN & BLUE JEANS- Prodigy Power           

    Marc Yu , piano soloist 

Saturday, November 8, 2008  8pm

Sunday, November 9, 2008  2:30pm

          Glass- Funeral from Akhnaten

          Beethoven- Piano Concerto no. 1

          Beethoven- Symphony no. 5

Put on your jeans, get comfortable, and join us for this causal concert featuring the incredible 8-year-old prodigy pianist, Marc Yu   who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Ellen and has his very own National Geographic special. Though his feet do not touch the floor, yours will be tapping along as the MSO and this talented youngster perform Beethoven’s lively Piano Concerto no. 1. After an ecstatic piece by composer Philip Glass, Music Director Scott Speck will then lead the orchestra in the most famous classical symphony ever, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.

Click here to view a video of Marc Yu.

Wizard of Oz and other American Classics

Saturday, November 22, 2008  8pm

Sunday, November 23, 2008  2:30pm

As the title implies, we're off to see the wizard. Follow the MSO down the yellow brick road where we will hear, somewhere over the rainbow, a host of symphonic renditions and sing-a-long American classics.   

HOLIDAY POPS- Sounds of Christmas           

Saturday, December 13, 2008  8pm

Sunday, December 14, 2008  2:30pm

Always a treat for the entire family and a great start to the holiday season, your Mobile Symphony plays sweeping symphonic arrangements of all your Christmas favorites. You can be sure sleigh bells will be heard, a jolly old elf will appear and we're predicting a very good chance of snow. The holidays are all about having fun, and this concert delivers, all wrapped with a bow.  

 The Land of the Midnight Sun- Solar Energy   

    Per Tengstrand , piano soloist 

Saturday, January 17, 2009  8pm

Sunday, January 18, 2009  2:30pm

          Nielsen- Helios Overture

          Grieg- Piano Concerto

          Sibelius- Symphony no. 2

Though it may be cold outside, the classical music will be hot in the Saenger Theatre as Scandinavian pianist, Per Tengstrand, returns to perform Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto. You've heard this famous piano masterpiece many times on the radio and in movies, but nothing compares to hearing it performed live with full orchestra. The solar winds will also be soaring as the MSO takes flight with Nielsen's Helios Overture and the Sibelius Symphony # 2. 

Click here to see video of Per Tengstrand. 

ST. PATTY'S DAY POPS- Mithril & the Lord of the Rings       

    Mithril , celtic band 

Saturday, March 14, 2009  8pm

Sunday, March 15, 2009  2:30pm

           Howard Shore- Music from Lord of the Rings

At this concert we all can be Irish for a day. Our favorite Celtic performing group, Mithril , joins the MSO for an evening of fiddling and toe tapping fun. Then, join us on a journey through magical lands where Hobbits, wizards, elves and dwarves unite to defeat darkness, as the MSO plays music from the score of Lord of the Rings.  

Click here to see a video of Mithril. 

Midori- Quantum Energy      

    Midori , violin soloist 

Saturday, April 4, 2009  8pm

Sunday, April 5, 2009  2:30pm

          Torke- Bright Blue Music

          Dvorak- Symphony no. 7

          Brahms- Violin Concerto

Superstar Violinist, Midori , has chosen the Mobile Symphony as one of only two orchestras in the country for a week-long residency. During her stay she will perform the beautiful Brahms Violin Concerto with the MSO. This performance also features two more pieces that have never before been performed at the Saenger: Torke’s energetic Bright Blue Music and Dvorak’s dramatic Symphony no. 7. 

Click here to see a video of Midori. 

SEASON FINALE: To Infinity and Beyond- Cosmic Energy      

    Alexandre Bouzlov , cello soloist

Saturday, April 25,  2009  8pm

Sunday, April 26, 2009  2:30pm

          Strauss- Fanfare from Also Sprach Zarathustra

          Elgar- Cello Concerto

          Holst- The Planets

The season goes out with a big bang as the MSO tours the solar system, performing The Planets by Gustav Holst. Awesome projections of this space journey will accompany each of the planets visited. Also enjoy an out-of-this-world performance as Russian cellist and silver winner of the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, Alexandre Bouzlov , performs the lofty Elgar Cello Concerto.