On this special installment of Unorchestrated, we're sharing the insight and depth of mastery behind Gustav Mahler's "Resurrection" Symphony– presented by the one and only Benjamin Zander. An infectiously enthusiastic communicator, Benjamin Zander delves into Mahler 2, taking listeners on a journey through the symphony in a highly engaging and informative discussion complete with an updated heartfelt introduction with Maestro Christopher Wilkins. Benjamin Zander is a passionate conductor and speaker, as well as the longtime musical director of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra where he has been nominated for multiple Grammy awards for Best Orchestral Performance. Ahead of the Akron Symphony Orchestra's upcoming performance of Mahler 2, he says the following: "Nobody can hear the Resurrection symphony without being moved to their very core, and that is definitely going to be the case on March 1st"

The Akron Symphony Orchestra will be performing Mahler Symphony No.2 "Resurrection" on March 1st at E.J. Thomas Hall at 7:30 PM. Tickets are on sale now and available at akronsymphony.org

Original discussion released in 2013 on Linn Records.

The Akron Symphony continues its 71st season on January 18th with a celebration of 100 years of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Joining us is Akron’s own piano virtuoso: Theron Brown. On this episode of Unorchestrated, we’re excited to be joined by none other than the man of the evening himself.

The Akron Symphony continues its 71st season on November 16th with a marquee pairing of two wonderfully bright and joyful pieces — Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, and Schubert’s Fifth Symphony.

On this episode of Unorchestrated, we’re excited to be joined by none other than our violin soloist tasked with taking on one of today’s most beloved pieces in the classical repertoire: The wonderfully talented Bethlehem Kelley!

The Akron Symphony continues its 71st season with Gustav Holst’s The Planets on October 19 at EJ Thomas Hall. The evening will also feature performances of Charles Ives’ The Unanswered Question, Franz Liszt’s Les Preludes, and Methuselah, a co-commissioned work by Gity Razaz. 

Gity is an Iranian-American composer whose music has been referred to as “ravishing and engulfing” by the New York Times, and, of an “uncompromising beauty” by BBC Music Magazine.

In this episode, we sit down with Music Director Christopher Wilkins and Gity to discuss Methuselah, along with more about this celestial-packed concert evening. 

The Akron Symphony Orchestra will present Holst’s The Planets on October 19, 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. The Preview from the Podium begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org. 

The Akron Symphony will open its new season with Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto on September 21 at EJ Thomas Hall. The evening will also feature a performance of George Chadwick’s Jubilee and Florence Price’s Symphony No. 3.

In this episode, we sit down with Music Director Christopher Wilkins and guest pianist Gabriela Martinez to discuss one of the most celebrated works in the piano repertoire. The concerto is renowned for its sweeping melodies, emotional depth, and technical demands, showcasing the pianist's virtuosity. This work not only solidified Rachmaninoff’s reputation as a composer but also redefined the Romantic concerto with its expressive power.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra will present Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto, featuring Gabriella Martinez, on September 21 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. The Preview from the Podium begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org.

Musical excerpts are from a performance by Gabriela Martinez with the Simón Bolívar Orchestra  in 2023.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra and Akron Symphony Chorus will present Mozart’s Great Mass on May 11 at EJ Thomas Hall. The performance will include Lili Boulanger’s On a Spring Morning and Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin.

Mozart’s Great Mass stands as a monumental testament to his genius and devout faith. The work embodies the grandeur of sacred music with its intricate choral writing, lush orchestration, and profound emotional depth. From delicate soprano solos to thunderous orchestral passages, the Mass captivates with its sublime beauty and spiritual fervor. 

In this episode, Music Director Christopher Wilkins and Chorus Director Chris Albanese will discuss the upcoming performance, with musical excerpts from a 2006 performance of Mozart’s Great Mass by the orchestra and chorus.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra and Akron Symphony Chorus will present Mozart’s Great Mass on May 11, 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. The Preview from the podium begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org.

The Akron Symphony will present Tchaikovsky and Bowden with guest soloist Mary Elizabeth Bowden on April 6 at EJ Thomas Hall. The performance will include Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence, Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on “Greensleeves”, Jessie Montgomery’s Strum, Jennifer Higdon’s “Reel Time”, and Julia Perry’s Prelude for Strings.

The highlight of the evening will be the Ohio premiere of Bohemian Queen, a trumpet concerto composed by Clarice Assad and featuring classical trumpeter Mary Elizabeth Bowden, who has been praised for her splendid, brilliant playing, and pure, refined, and warm tone.

In this episode, we are joined by Mary Elizabeth Bowden to discuss Bohemian Queen, which celebrates the surrealist painter Gertrude Abercrombie – “the queen of the bohemian artists” – whose life and art were entwined with such Chicago jazz scene legends as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Sarah Vaughan.

Classical trumpeter Mary Elizabeth Bowden is a highly in-demand soloist, praised for her “splendid, brilliant” playing (Gramophone Magazine). A Gold Medal Global Music Award Winner, Opus Klassik Nominee, and Yamaha Performing Artist, Bowden works to establish a new repertoire for the trumpet through creative commissioning projects and award-winning albums. Learn more at maryelizabethbowden.com.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra will present Tchaikovsky and Bowden on April 6, 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. The Preview from the Podium begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org.

The Akron Symphony will present Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony, nicknamed Romantic, on March 2 at EJ Thomas Hall.

Bruckner’s composition, his first to receive widespread acclaim, showcases the composer’s unique style and is filled with lyrical themes, expressive contrasts, splendid orchestration, glorious climaxes, and dramatic developments. 

In the second episode of this two-part series, Music Director Christopher Wilkins and Matthew Mauro, acting principal horn, take a deeper dive into Bruckner’s music. 

The Akron Symphony Orchestra will present Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony, along with Wagner’s Lohengrin Prelude, on March 2, 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. The Preview from the Podium begins at 6:30 pm.

Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org.

The Akron Symphony will present Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony, nicknamed Romantic, on March 2 at EJ Thomas Hall. Bruckner’s composition, his first to receive widespread acclaim, showcases the composer’s unique style and is filled with lyrical themes, expressive contrasts, splendid orchestration, glorious climaxes, and dramatic developments. 

In the first episode of a two-part series, Music Director Christopher Wilkins and Matthew Mauro, acting principal horn, discuss Matt’s career, and Matt shares some of his experiences with the audition process for an orchestra.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra will present Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony, along with Wagner’s Lohengrin Prelude, on March 2, 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. The Preview from the Podium begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org.

The Akron Symphony and the Gospel Meets Symphony Choir will celebrate 30 years of music and fellowship during Gospel Meets Symphony on February 10 at EJ Thomas Hall.

Led by Maestro Christopher Wilkins and Gospel Meets Symphony Choirmaster Jonathon Turner, the evening will highlight the community spirit that has made GMS one of Northeast Ohio’s most enduring musical traditions.

In this episode, Christopher, Jonathon and Brenda Justice,  coordinator of choral programs at the Akron Symphony, discuss what the program means to Akron, share some memories of past performances, and talk about the upcoming concert.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra and the Gospel Meets Symphony Choir will present Gospel Meets Symphony on February 10, 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org.