Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra

Join us for a night bursting with song! The concert opens with the Negro Folk Symphony, composed by William Dawson in 1934. Dawson creates a work that is reminiscent of Dvořák’s New World Symphony, using traditional spirituals being sung across the instruments in the orchestra. Then, be spellbound by our Symphony Chorus as we perform an array of choral showstoppers including Orff’s dramatic O Fortuna and Handel’s timeless Hallelujah chorus.   DSSO COVID-19 Safety Protocol‣ One of three items are required for entry by the DSSO: • Vaccine Card • Negative Covid-19 PCR Test within 72 hours • Rapid Test within 24 hours I.D. is required for those 12 and older for vaccine or testing results. Masks required throughout the performance. We thank you for your participation to ensure the safest possible experience for in-person indoor events.

What do George Gershwin, William Grant Still and Sergei Rachmaninoff have in common? You would never guess, but at some point they were almost neighbors. All three lived in Hollywood in the 1930s and 40s, working on some of their greatest music. Gershwin compiled his suite from Porgy and Bess here called Catfish Row. William Grant Still’s masterful Afro-American Symphony was written just a few years prior to that. Both compositions incorporate a banjo into the classical symphony orchestra and burst with life and energy. Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.3 was premiered in New York City in 1909. With its fiendishly difficult technique and its lush melodic writing, the concerto is one of the great achievements of the repertoire. Bill Talks! Get your pre-concert prelude with Bill Bastian at 6:10pm to the left of the main lobby in the harbor side arena walkway.

During Hans Rott’s tragically short life, he passed at only 25, he certainly made his mark – at least with his contemporaries. Gustav Mahler called him the “Founder of the New Symphony” and he was one of Bruckner’s favorite students. Today, he is all but forgotten. His Julius Caesar Overture gives us a hint of the genius that Mahler admired so much. We follow with Elgar’s beloved Cello Concerto with up-and-coming cello superstar Gabriel Martins. Finally, we hear from Rott’s teacher, Anton Bruckner. To many, Bruckner’s symphonies represent the pinnacle of the evolution of the symphonic form. His Third Symphony gives us a taste of why he is so admired: Epic, stoic, yet beautiful and majestic – this is truly magnificent music. Bill Talks! Get your pre-concert prelude with Bill Bastian at 6:10pm to the left of the main lobby in the harbor side arena walkway.

‘Bridging the Gap’ is more than bridging the space between musical genres around our community. It’s about the community itself. It’s about introducing the beauty and drama of classical music through collaborations whereas persons may not have had an interest prior. Join us in DSSO’s newly acclaimed Depot Theatre for an evening with Superior Siren. Learn more at dsso.com.

‘Bridging the Gap’ is more than bridging the space between musical genres around our community. It’s about the community itself. It’s about introducing the beauty and drama of classical music through collaborations whereas persons may not have had an interest prior. Join us in DSSO’s newly acclaimed Depot Theatre for an evening with Bill & Kate Isles. Learn more at dsso.com.