National Symphony Orchestra

Memory and Myth: 
Music by Sibelius & an NSO premiere (Canceled)

Concert Hall

Visionary maestro David Robertson leads symphonic exploration of legend and lore with music by Sibelius and Steven Mackey.

May 14 - 16, 2020

upcoming dates

  • Thu. May 14, 2020 7p.m.

  • Sat. May 16, 2020 8p.m.

  • Genre

    Music

  • Price Range

    $15.00 – $99.00

David Robertson

This event has been canceled.

We have canceled most previously announced performances and events through the end of 2020, with some planned programs moving to spring 2021 and beyond. 

Ticketholders for canceled performances have the following options:

  • Donate the value and receive a full tax deduction
  • Use the value for a future Kennedy Center program
  • Exchange your value for a Kennedy Center gift certificate, which can be used on tickets, gift shop purchases, parking fees, and more
  • Receive a refund

Program

Sibelius The Swan of Tuonela
S. Mackey Mnemosyne’s Pool (NSO co-commission)
Sibelius Symphony No. 1

David Robertson, conductor

In a symphonic exploration of legend and lore, visionary maestro David Robertson conducts Mnemosyne's Pool, an NSO co-commission from Grammy Award®–winning composer Steven Mackey. Drawing inspiration from the Greek goddess of memory, Mackey’s work tells the story of souls who dared drink from the river Mnemosyne in Hades, thereby bestowing eternal life in the Elysian Fields. Sibelius weaves Finnish mythology into music in The Swan of Tuonela, a tone poem depicting the hero’s quest to kill a mystical swan swimming through the Finnish realm of the dead.

 

May 14 following the concert

AfterWords®

Stay in the Concert Hall for an insightful discussion with the some of the exciting guest artists and NSO musicians featured on the night’s program, moderated by NSO Director of Artistic Planning Nigel Boon. You may even have an opportunity to ask a question! Look for even more of these offerings throughout the season; each AfterWords® is free with your concert ticket.

May 16 at 7 p.m.

ForeWords

Before your performance, join us in the Justice Forum at the REACH for fascinating stories behind the music with WETA’s Rich Kleinfeldt! Each 30-minute ForeWords talk is free and open to the public. Look for even more of these offerings throughout the season!

Support the Arts in America

The Kennedy Center is a non-profit institution, and your tax-deductible gift helps expand our arts and education offerings throughout the country.

Donate Today

NSO Music Director Chair is generously endowed by Vicki and Roger Sant

Terms and Conditions

All events and artists subject to change without prior notice.

You May Also Like

National Symphony Orchestra

Killer Mike & The Mighty Midnight Revival

Tue. May 21, 2024

A never-before-seen concert experience! Killer Mike is more than just a rapper—he’s a cultural icon. From his groundbreaking collaborations with Run the Jewels to his solo endeavors, Killer Mike’s music resonates with authenticity, raw energy, and a fearless commitment to speaking truth to power. Hear tracks from his newest, three-time Grammy-winning album Michael, and more, accompanied by the epic sounds of the Mighty Midnight Revival and the National Symphony Orchestra live.

National Symphony Orchestra

Song of the Night: Noseda conducts Mahler’s Seventh Symphony

May 30 - Jun. 1, 2024

Join Gianandrea Noseda on a wild journey into twilight... Composed in a furious burst of inspiration, the Seventh is Mahler at his most mysterious. Indulgent, elusive, and delightfully raw, the Seventh is a problem child for some conductors, but not Noseda. From clanging cowbells and titanic brass to intimate midnight mandolin, Mahler’s glamorous, dusk-to-dawn universe is far beyond this world.

  • MyTix
  • Student Rush