Famed for its four-note opening, Beethoven’s Fifth is imaginative, violent, and brimming with drama. Noseda pairs this colossal crowd-pleaser with the First Sinfonia by D.C. native George Walker, the first Black composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music.

Gianandrea Noseda pairs Beethoven’s Fourth with the Fourth Symphony by William Grant Still—the first Black composer to have a symphony performed by a leading orchestra (Rochester Philharmonic) and to conduct a major American symphony orchestra (Los Angeles Philharmonic).

Beethoven’s epic Ninth is the symphony by which all others are measured. Witness the vast cosmic drama of this groundbreaking piece—the first symphony to include chorus it its orchestration. With its grand emotional melodies and tremendous final “Ode to Joy,” Beethoven’s final symphony resounds as loudly today as it did two centuries ago.

The Washington Post described Gemma New’s 2019 NSO debut as “meticulously calibrated beauty.” Now, the New Zealand-born conductor leads the world premiere of Missy Mazzoli’s Violin Concerto (Procession), commissioned by the NSO and performed by superstar Jennifer Koh.

The NSO continues its three-concert series at Northern Virginia’s new state-of-the-art performing arts venue, Capital One Hall! The Washington Post described Gemma New’s 2019 Kennedy Center debut as “meticulously calibrated beauty.” Don’t miss the New Zealand-born conductor lead an unforgettable evening featuring Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5 and Missy Mazzoli’s Violin Concerto (Procession)—commissioned by the NSO and performed by superstar Jennifer Koh.

Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring The Wolfpack join the NSO for a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration. Formed in 2018 by Weir, Grammy®-winning producer and bassist Don Was, drummer Jay Lane, and pianist Jeff Chimenti, Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros perform the expansive catalogue of Grateful Dead, Bobby’s solo albums, and more. The orchestration is provided by Stanford professor Dr. Giancarlo Aquilanti.

NSO principal musicians take the spotlight in Haydn’s Sinfonia Concertante. Then, Noseda conducts the energetic Third Symphony by Louise Farrenc. Though often overlooked, Farrenc flourished at the center of 19th century Parisian music—admired in her lifetime as a teacher, scholar, and brilliant composer.

Three Fourths! Gianandrea Noseda opens the program with Bach’s G major Brandenburg Concerto No. 4—a staple of the repertory that has influenced countless composers. Listen for traces of the famous work in Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4, Villa-Lobos’s symphonic blend of Bach and the passions of Brazil; as well as Mahler’s heavenly Symphony No. 4, also in G major.

Under the direction of Gianandrea Noseda, the National Symphony Orchestra presents Tales - A Folklore Symphony by Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon. Also on the program, two-time Grammy Award®-winning violinist James Ehnes plays Beethoven’s famous Violin Concerto.

Explore the rhythm and magic of percussion instruments through two imaginative stories from timpanist Scott Christian!

Following previous engagements at the Kennedy Center including sold-out concerts, discussions, workshops, secret shows, community events, and the annual BGR!FEST, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! returns for its anticipated first-time collaboration with the NSO—presented in partnership with the Kennedy Center’s Hip Hop Culture program.

At 24, Jan Lisiecki’s “pristine, lyrical and intelligent” (The New York Times) technique gives him a musical voice far beyond his age. The Polish-Canadian pianist joins the NSO to play Chopin’s glorious Piano Concerto No. 1. World-renowned maestro Thomas Wilkins returns to the Concert Hall stage to lead this performance.

Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring The Wolfpack join the NSO for a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration. Formed in 2018 by Weir, Grammy®-winning producer and bassist Don Was, drummer Jay Lane, and pianist Jeff Chimenti, Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros perform the expansive catalogue of Grateful Dead, Bobby’s solo albums, and more. The orchestration is provided by Stanford professor Dr. Giancarlo Aquilanti.

Following previous engagements at the Kennedy Center including sold-out concerts, discussions, workshops, secret shows, community events, and the annual BGR!FEST, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! returns for its anticipated first-time collaboration with the NSO—presented in partnership with the Kennedy Center’s Hip Hop Culture program.

Explore the rhythm and magic of percussion instruments through two imaginative stories from timpanist Scott Christian!

How can music change a young person’s life? See for yourself when Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence Mo Willems’s story of chance makes its world premiere as a concert with the National Symphony Orchestra.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…SUPER CELLO! What musical adventure will he embark on next?