Hartford Symphony Orchestra Announces 2025-2026 Masterworks Series
Hartford, CT – MARCH 21, 2025 – Hartford, CT — HSO Music Director Carolyn Kuan and President & CEO Steve Collins are excited to announce the 2025/2026 Masterworks Series which will be presented at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, CT. The nine-concert series takes place on Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 3PM in Belding Theater.
The HSO’s 2025/2026 Masterworks Season is a celebration of beloved classics, fresh perspectives, dazzling guest artists, and dynamic collaborations. The concerts highlight American influences, explore dramatic storytelling, and incorporate innovative presentations and multimedia elements. You will experience the compelling mixture of tradition and innovation for which Maestro Kuan has become known.
Steve Collins, President & CEO of the HSO says, “The 2025/2026 Masterworks Series is a testament to our commitment to artistic excellence and innovation. We invite our audience to experience the power and beauty of live orchestral music in bold new ways. We can’t wait to share these extraordinary performances with the community."
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy one of Hartford’s most enthralling, energizing, and entertaining cultural experiences, the HSO’s Masterworks Series.
Ticket Information: Current Masterworks subscribers will receive their renewal information at the end of March. New subscriptions will be available in June. Single tickets will go on sale in August. For more information on subscriptions, please call 860-244-2999 or visit hartfordsymphony.org.
All artists, dates, and locations are subject to change.
HARTFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2025-2026 MASTERWORKS SERIES
September 26- 28, 2025
Opening Weekend:
Gershwin, Marsalis & Bartók
Featuring:
Carolyn Kuan, conductor
Jarrod Briley, tuba
Program:
Dukas The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Marsalis Concerto for Tubist and Orchestra
Bartók Suite from The Miraculous Mandarin
Gershwin An American in Paris
About:
The 25/26 season kicks off with a thrilling blend of jazz, drama, and orchestral storytelling! Paul Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, made famous by Fantasia, sets the stage with its enchanting chaos, followed by Bartók’s suspenseful Suite from The Miraculous Mandarin—performed by HSO for the first time in over 20 years.
The program continues with American innovation: Wynton Marsalis’ jazz-infused Concerto for Tubist and Orchestra, featuring HSO principal tuba Jarrod Briley, and Gershwin’s An American in Paris, a vibrant fusion of jazz and symphonic color.
Experience this dynamic season opener—where classical meets jazz in an unforgettable musical journey!
October 17-19, 2025
Beethoven & Sibelius
Featuring:
Viswa Subarraman, conductor
Drew Petersen, piano
Program:
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 37
Nielsen Helios Overture, Op. 17
Sibelius Symphony No. 5, Op. 82
About:
Under the direction of Viswa Subarraman the HSO performs a program of grandeur and evolution, highlighted by Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, a masterful balance of stormy intensity and lyrical beauty performed by guest artist Drew Petersen. Carl Nielsen’s Helios Overture opens with a radiant orchestral depiction of the sun’s journey, setting the stage for Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5, a triumphant work inspired by nature and transformation.
From Nielsen’s sweeping brightness to Beethoven’s passion and Sibelius’ soaring “swan call” motif, this concert is a powerful exploration of contrast, storytelling, and renewal.
November 14-16, 2025
Dvořák and Rachmaninoff
Featuring:
Adam Kerry Boyles, conductor
Tommy Mesa, cello
Program:
Dvořák Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2, Op. 27
About:
Adam Kerry Boyles leads a program rich in emotion and orchestral brilliance. Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor, one of the most celebrated works for the instrument, performed by cellist Tommy Mesa. This sweeping, romantic masterpiece blends soaring melodies with moments of deep introspection, showcasing the cello’s expressive power.
Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 follows, a lush and dramatic work filled with the composer’s signature sweeping themes and passionate intensity. Known for its expansive melodies and thrilling orchestration, this symphony has been interpreted in various lengths over time—Boyles’ approach promises a fresh and compelling experience.
From Dvořák’s heartfelt lyricism to Rachmaninoff’s grandeur, this program is a journey through two of the most deeply expressive works in classical music.
December 12-14, 2025
Winter Dreams
Featuring:
Carolyn Kuan, conductor
Curtis Stewart, violin and composer
Joyce C. Willis Artist in Residence
Program:
Vivaldi/Stewart Seasons of Change
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 1, Op. 13 “Winter Dreams”
About:
HSO’s Winter Dreams blends timeless beauty with bold reinvention. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1, “Winter Dreams” evokes a snow-covered landscape through lush melodies and rich orchestration, capturing the magic and nostalgia of the season.
In contrast, Curtis Stewart’s Seasons of Change reimagines Vivaldi’s Four Seasons through a contemporary lens, weaving improvisation, electronics, and recorded voices to explore climate change and humanity’s evolving connection to nature. We are excited to welcome Curtis as the 2025-2026 Joyce C. Willis Artist in Residence.
This powerful pairing bridges past and present, offering a musical experience that is both enchanting and thought-provoking.
February 13-15, 2026
Romeo and Juliet: A Theatrical Concert
Featuring:
Carolyn Kuan, conductor
Concert Theatre Works
Bill Barclay, director
Romeo and Juliet: A Theatrical Concert, is a groundbreaking collaboration between the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Concert Theatre Works, and acclaimed director Bill Barclay. This co-commissioned production—also supported by the Royal Albert Hall and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, features live actors in costume, dynamic staging, and even sword fighting on stage. This performance goes beyond traditional concert presentations to create an immersive theatrical experience. The orchestra will perform alongside the action, blending Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy with some of the most evocative music ever written for the story.
The Hartford performance will feature an adaptation of the play and the music Romeo & Juliet by Tchaikovsky, Berlioz, Prokofiev and Rota.
March 13-15, 2026
Pines of Rome
Featuring:
Kalena Bovell, conductor
Solomiya Ivakhiv, violin
Program:
Gabriela Lena Frank Apu (2017)
Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3, K. 216 “Strassburg”
Respighi Pines of Rome
About:
Kalena Bovell conducts a program of orchestral grandeur. Respighi’s Pines of Rome, last performed by HSO in 2013, brings the Italian landscape to life with sweeping brass fanfares, atmospheric sounds, and lush harmonies.
Gabriela Lena Frank’s Apu draws from Andean culture, blending folk influences with modern textures, while Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 showcases sparkling elegance and unexpected warmth, featuring Ukrainian violinist and UCONN professor, Solomiya Ivakhiv.
From Respighi’s breathtaking vistas to Frank’s rich soundscapes and Mozart’s lyrical charm, Pines of Rome offers a dynamic concert experience of breadth and depth.
April 10-12, 2026
Brahms’ Third
Featuring:
Carolyn Kuan, conductor
Clarice Assad, piano
Program:
Berlioz King Lear
Assad FLOW, Concerto for Piano
Brahms Symphony No. 3
Brahms Hungarian Dances No. 5
About:
This dynamic program, featuring works by Berlioz, Brahms, and Clarice Assad, blends intensity and expression. Berlioz’s King Lear Overture makes its HSO debut, capturing the play’s power struggles with dramatic orchestration. Assad takes the stage as soloist in her own FLOW, Concerto for Piano, offering a unique composer-performer perspective.
Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 follows, a masterpiece of lyrical depth and compact intensity. To ensure a rousing conclusion, the concert flows directly into Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5, adding a lively, rhythmic finale.
From Berlioz’s bold drama to Assad’s innovative energy and Brahms’ sweeping melodies, Brahms’ Third delivers a compelling and vibrant musical experience.
May 8- 10, 2026
Mendelssohn & Colorfast
Featuring:
Carolyn Kuan, conductor
Program:
Clyne Color Field (yellow, red, orange)
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 “Scottish”
About:
In collaboration with the Wadsworth Atheneum, this program connects music, history, and art in a vivid exploration of sound and color. The first half of the program brings to life the Wadsworth exhibit “Colorfast: The Story of Pigments and Dyes in Art”, with exhibit images set to music. Each musical selection in this suite corresponds to a color in the visible spectrum of light (ROYGBIV). Plus, there is one musical selection yet to be determined – you, the audience will be invited to participate in the selection process!
The second half of the program features Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony, inspired by his visit to Scotland, reflecting the landscapes, history, and emotions of the region, from its somber opening to its dramatic climaxes.
Experience a dynamic blend of music, art, and history as colors come to life through sound and Mendelssohn’s melodies transport you to Scotland. With interactive elements and rich musical interpretations, this program offers a fresh and engaging way to connect with both visual and orchestral artistry.
June 5-7, 2026
The Rite of Spring On-Screen
Featuring:
Carolyn Kuan, conductor
Curtis Stewart, violin
Joyce C. Willis Artist in Residence
Program:
Strauss Death and Transfiguration
Dvořák/Stewart The Famous People
Stravinsky The Rite of Spring (with film)
About:
A season finale of bold contrasts and artistic innovation, The Rite of Spring On-Screen brings music, film, and dance together in a dynamic conclusion. The program opens with Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration, a profound depiction of life’s final journey. We welcome back Curtis Stewart, the 2025/2026 Joyce C. Willis Artist in Residence to perform The Famous People, his reimagination of Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances through African American musical traditions, creating a bold fusion of styles.
The evening culminates in Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, performed alongside Martha Graham’s 1990 ballet film. Graham’s choreography offers an American perspective on this groundbreaking work, adding new layers of intensity and movement.
About the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra is a leading cultural institution in Connecticut, renowned for its exceptional performances and commitment to artistic excellence. The HSO brings a diverse range of classical and contemporary music to audiences throughout the region, while also fostering community engagement through education and outreach programs. The orchestra’s mission is to enrich lives through the power of music and to serve as a vibrant cultural resource for the Hartford community and beyond.