Masterworks No. 3: Concerto for Orchestra - Bartók & Brahms

About this event

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra’s (CSO) 2026-2027 season invites audiences to experience a year defined by storytelling, artistic ambition, and the commanding sound of the orchestra in full force. The main series lineup features more than thirty performances across the Masterworks, Pops, Chamber, and Messiah programs, forming the foundation of a dynamic and expansive season. Additional community events and educational initiatives will be announced at a later date.

Michael Smith, CSO Executive Director, said, “The Charleston Symphony has built extraordinary momentum over the past several years, more than doubling attendance since returning from the pandemic. Today, we are proud to be one of the fastest-growing orchestras in the country. As we continue to fill the halls and raise the artistic bar every year, there has never been a more exciting time to experience the CSO. We invite our community to secure their seats and be part of the 2026-2027 season.”

Notable conductors include audience favorites Miguel Harth-Bedoya and Michael Francis, as well as several that will lead the orchestra for the first time: Chelsea Gallo, Ken-David Masur, and Kensho Watanabe. The Charleston Symphony’s Assistant Conductor, Ryo Hasegawa, will make his Masterworks conducting debut.

Guest artists featured throughout the season will include Olga Kern, Drew Petersen, Robert McDuffie, Cheyenne Jackson, and Charleston’s own Ranky Tanky. Zuill Bailey will also continue his role as the CSO’s Artist-in-Residence. “Many of this season’s works place the orchestra front and center, through a combination of timeless classical favorites and rarely performed works. Each program is designed around a powerful narrative, from folklore and fantasy to love, spiritual reflection, and revolution,” said Yuriy Bekker, CSO Artistic Director and Concertmaster. “It’s inspiring to present music that challenges us artistically while offering meaningful and accessible entry points for both longtime patrons and first-time listeners.”

The 2026-2027 season unfolds with major works that have not been heard locally in decades, traditional symphonic “warhorses,” music by living composers, and more. Classical anchors include Stravinsky’s The Firebird, Prokofiev’s Peter & the Wolf and Romeo & Juliet, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Mahler’s Symphony No. 3; Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony and Missa Solemnis.

A highlight of the season will be the one-night-only performance by the virtuosic pianist Lang Lang, known for selling out concert halls worldwide. Lang Lang will perform Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto with the Charleston Symphony on September 26, 2026, under the baton of Yuriy Bekker. Tickets for this concert will be made available first to subscribers before going on sale to the public.

The orchestra also returns with eight Masterworks and four Pops concerts, all at the Gaillard Center. The Chamber Music Series at the Library Society will feature three programs, and there will be three performances of Handel’s Messiah in three different locations: downtown Charleston, Daniel Island, and Summerville.

Subscriptions are on sale now, and existing subscribers are encouraged to renew their tickets by April 27, 2026. CSO subscribers enjoy special benefits such as 15% or more off the cost of regular individual concert tickets, reserving the best seats all season, and exclusive access to special events and invitations. Tickets for individual concerts will go on sale on August 4. Visit charlestonsymphony.org to learn more.

MASTERWORKS SERIES

Eight concerts with two nights each, starting at 7:30 p.m. and performed at the Gaillard Center.

Friday, November 20 & Saturday, November 21, 2026 Artists Kensho Watanabe, Conductor Yuriy Bekker, Violin Zuill Bailey, Cello Program Anna Clyne (1980- ) This Midnight Hour Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Double Concerto for Violin and Cello Béla Bartók (1881-1945) Concerto for Orchestra Masterworks No. 4: Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony

Friday, January 8 & Saturday, January 9, 2027 Artists Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor Robert McDuffie, Violin Program Jennifer Higdon (1962- ) blue cathedral Philip Glass (1937- ) Violin Concerto No. 1 Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Symphony No. 3, “Eroica” Masterworks No. 5: Olga Kern Plays Rach 2 with Romeo & Juliet Friday, February 5 & Saturday, February 6, 2027 Artists John Morris Russell, Conductor Olga Kern, Piano Program Charles Tomlinson Griffes (1884-1920) “Clouds” (from Roman Sketches) Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943) Piano Concerto No. 2 Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Suite from Romeo and Juliet Masterworks No. 6: Beethoven Missa Solemnis Friday, March 12 & Saturday, March 13, 2027 Artists Ken-David Masur, Conductor Vocalists To Be Announced Charleston Symphony Chorus (Nicholas Quardokus, Director) College of Charleston Concert Choir Program Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Missa Solemnis Masterworks No. 7: Pictures at an Exhibition Friday, April 9, 2027 & Saturday, April 10, 2027 Artists Chelsea Gallo, Conductor Drew Petersen, Piano Program Jessie Montgomery (1981- ) Hymn for Everyone Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Piano Concerto No. 3 Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition Masterworks No. 8: Mahler 3 Friday, April 23 & Saturday, April 24, 2027 Artists Michael Francis, Conductor Soloists To Be Announced Charleston Symphony Women’s Chorus Palmetto Choral Collective Program Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) Symphony No. 3 POPS SERIES Four unique programs curated to entertain and uplift through a variety of musical genres, conducted by Yuriy Bekker. POPS No. 1: The Witching Hour Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center Yuriy Bekker, Conductor Morgan James & Hugh Panaro, Vocalists CSO Chorus From the haunting power of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue and the darkness of Mozart and Berlioz, to spellbinding selections from Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, and Psycho, this concert will celebrate music that is mysterious, seductive, and gloriously dramatic. POPS No. 2: Holiday Pops! Thursday, December 17 and Friday, December 18, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 19, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center Cheyenne Jackson, Vocals CSO Chorus & Palmetto Collective Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson, also known for his recurring roles on NBC’s 30 Rock and Fox's Glee, will headline this year’s holiday spectacular. POPS No. 3: ICONS - The Voices That Changed Music Thursday, January 21, 2027 | 7:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center Capathia Jenkins & Ryan Shaw, Vocalists From Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson to Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Prince, and more … relive the soundtrack of your life. POPS No. 4: Ranky Tanky Thursday, March 25, 2027 | 7:30pm | Gaillard Center Ranky Tanky (Quentin Baxter / Drums and Percussion, Kevin Hamilton / Bass, Quiana Parler / Vocalist, Clay Ross / Guitar and Vocals, Charlton Singleton / Trumpet and Vocals) Following a sold-out CSO collaboration in 2020 and the release of their highly anticipated third album, Ranky Tanky will return with unstoppable momentum and music shaped by deep local pride. SPECIAL EVENT Lang Lang with the CSO Monday, September 28, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center Artists Yuriy Bekker, Conductor Lang Lang, Piano Program Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Emperor Concerto CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES The Library Society | 7:00 p.m. Experience the Charleston Symphony’s musicians up close at the historic Library Society, with three thoughtfully curated programs that highlight artistry and exceptional musicianship. Chamber Music 1 with Zuill Bailey Thursday, October 22 & Saturday, October 24, 2026 Chamber Music 2: Holiday Strings Friday, December 11 & Saturday, December 12, 2026 Chamber Music 3 with Zuill Bailey Friday, March 19 & Saturday, March 20, 2027 HOLY CITY MESSIAH A celebrated annual holiday tradition performed at three churches throughout Charleston. Downtown Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. | The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Daniel Island Friday, December 4, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. | Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church Summerville Sunday, December 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. | St. Theresa the Little Flower Catholic Church *All artists and programs listed above are subject to change.