Cadenza | Concerts
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming events promise variety
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO), one of St. Louis’s oldest and most respected entertainment establishments, has a slew of great events coming up in 2019.
One of the first upcoming shows at the SLSO is a series of Prokofiev pieces conducted by Stephane Deneve, a noted Prokofiev aficionado, featuring Yefim Bronfman on piano and a performance by mezzo-soprano Clementine Margaine. This concert, taking place on Feb. 15-16, features pieces from the Russian composer’s best known works, including his cantata adapted from music he created for the movie “Alexander Nevsky” and a suite arranged by Deneve from selections of Prokofiev’s Cinderella Ballet. The night also includes Bronfman performing Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto, dubbed by the Independent (London) to be Bronfman’s specialty. The event promises to be a striking tribute to one of the 20th century’s most notable composers.
Deneve will also be conducting his Cinderella suite Feb. 17 as part of the SLSO’s Family Concert series.

Stephane Deneve, the music director designate of the SLSO conducts a concert. Deneve will conduct some upcoming concerts which include arrangements by Mozart, Brahms and himself.
In honor of Black History Month, SLSO will put on “Lift Every Voice: A Black History Month Celebration” Feb. 22. This event will feature the IN UNISON chorus, a chorus founded by Dr. Robert J. Ray 25 years ago. The concert will perform a powerful and soulful piece by Ray entitled “Gospel Mass.” The IN UNISON chorus is made up of 120 volunteers, many of whom come from the IN UNISON church program run by SLSO, who are dedicated to preserving and performing African-American and African music pieces.
In early March, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will perform Mahler’s 9th Symphony and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21. Mahler’s Ninth Symphony may not be one of his most widely known works, but that is not to say that it is without merit. The symphony was written towards the end of his life and is consequently one of his more reflective and personal works. The symphony begins fairly upbeat and energetic and over time seems to die down and become more depressed, possibly a reflection of Mahler’s own mortality; he died without ever hearing this symphony. SLSO will also perform Mozart’s 21st Piano Concerto featuring Lars Vogt. Featured in the movie “Elvira Madigan,” this concerto is lively and upbeat.

The IN UNISON chorus performs at a SLSO event. The chorus, which boasts 120 volunteer members, was formed 25 years ago by Dr. Robert Ray and will perform his Gospel Mass.
March 9-10 will feature a much more somber performance, Stravinsky’s Funeral Song followed by Brahms’ A German Requiem. These two pieces are both very death-centric; however, A German Requiem sets itself apart from the average requiem in two ways: It was written in German, Brahms’ vernacular, as opposed to Latin, and it focuses less on the death and afterlife of the departed and more on comforting those who are still living. A German Requiem, one of Brahms’ most famous choral works, was composed following the death of his mother and the personal hit Brahms took is reflected in the music. The requiem shows waves of ebbing and flowing grief, and turmoil is seemingly a constant in the work—you can feel the emotional gravity. The requiem ends in a more peaceful place, but that place still is not a joyous one. Though intense, this piece of music is incredibly passionate and well-written.
These are only a small selection of the upcoming events. Late February will see Tony-award-winning triple threat (actor/singer/dancer) Sutton Foster perform with the symphony orchestra. In late March, for another installment in the Family Concert series, SLSO will put on “Carnival of the Animals.” Caroline Shaw’s “Taxidermy,” an engaging percussion performance featuring flower pots, in addition to a slew of other experimental pieces, will be performed shortly after. August will see a return of the “Movies in Concert” series with “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.”
Washington University students should see this variety of performances as an opportunity to get out into the St. Louis artistic community.