St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Bernstein and Copland

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Bernstein and Copland at Powell Symphony Hall

Some concerts ask you to sit back. This one asks you to listen closely to a certain kind of American sound, and it begins at 10:30 AM on April 9, 2027, at Powell Symphony Hall in St. Louis. That's a morning curtain, a different way to spend a Friday. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra brings a program called Bernstein and Copland, and the names on the page already promise a lot of character.

Stéphane Denève conducts works by Simon, Copland, Stark and Bernstein. That's four composers in one program, so the concert is built around variety rather than a single mood. Scott Andrews appears as clarinet soloist, which puts one player's voice in front of the full orchestra. Erin Schreiber introduces Vesper Flights, a detail that gives the program a personal touch. When someone steps forward to introduce a piece, you meet it with a little more curiosity.

The Bernstein selection is West Side Story Symphonic Dances. To be clear, it is not the complete musical. It is the orchestral concert work, which is its own kind of thrill. If you love the title, this is a chance to hear it as a symphonic piece in a hall made for orchestras. Bring a friend, a parent or anyone who enjoys discovering something fresh. Then talk about it afterward. Ready to claim your seats for the SLSO in St. Louis? View tickets for Bernstein and Copland and plan your morning around the music.