Columbus Symphony Masterworks affordable shows

Columbus Symphony returns with a full season of performances for the 2024/2025 season. From Masterworks to Pops to Family Concerts, there’s truly something for everyone with Columbus Symphony. 

Columbus Symphony Masterworks Season

The 2024-2025 Columbus Symphony Masterworks season promises to be a season full of great repertoire, amazing soloists, and a new initiative —Inside the Music. Experience the power of music together at the beautiful Ohio Theatre.

Tickets start at $10 and kids 6-16 are FREE! 

Opening Night: A John Williams Celebration

September 20, 2024 from 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
September 22, 2024 from 2 pm – 4 pm 

Dress up in your red carpet finest as our 2024-25 Masterworks season starts off with a celebration of John Williams’ extensive award-winning music catalog that includes some of the most popular, recognizable, and critically acclaimed film scores in modern history. It will be a golden night with music from Star Wars, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, and more! 

Wagner’s Ring

October 5, 2024 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm

Be entranced by the legendary music of Richard Wagner’s immense operatic Ring cycle, reimagined for concert performance by legendary conductor and composer Lorin Maazel. Themes from The Ring’s four operas are expertly woven together, taking the listener on a journey through epic tales of mythical gods and heroes.

Pictures at an Exhibition

November 1, 2024 from 7:30-9:30 pm
November 2, 2024 from 7:30-9:30 pm

Modest Mussorgsky’s magnificent Pictures at an Exhibition, which masterfully paints a musical art gallery, anchors this program in two forms: in its original version for solo piano and in a rarely-heard orchestration by Sergei Gorkachov. Up-and-coming star pianist Maxim Lando makes his Columbus Symphony debut with two virtuosic interpretations: the solo Mussorgsky and Tchaikovsky’s enchanting Piano Concerto No. 2.

Handel’s Messiah

November 15, 2024 from 7:30-9:30 PM
November 16, 2024 from 7:30-9:30 PM
November 17, 2024 from 3:00-5:00 PM

Experience the grandeur and tradition of Messiah, Handel’s exultant masterpiece, featuring the Columbus Symphony Chorus. The iconic ‘Hallelujah’ chorus is a highlight of this beloved oratorio.

Mahler 2

January 24, 2025 from 7:30-9:30 PM
January 25, 2025 from 7:30-9:00 PM

Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, the transcendent ‘Resurrection,’ features the return of radiant soprano Jessica Rivera and the CSO debut of mezzo-soprano Ronnita Miller. Colossal in both length and orchestration, Mahler’s second symphony offers a profound reflection on life and redemption.

Beethoven’s Eroica

January 31, 2025 from 7:30-9:30 PM
February 1, 2025 from 7:30-9:00 PM

In a Columbus Symphony co-commission, cellist Sterling Elliott performs famed composer John Corigliano’s Phantasmagoria for solo cello and orchestra. Rossen leads the orchestra in Beethoven’s sweeping third symphony, the ‘Eroica,’ or “Heroic” Symphony, written in a time of great personal despair for Beethoven as he faced the loss of his hearing while still resolving to push the boundaries of the symphonic genre.

Appalachian Spring

February 28, 2025 from 7:30-9:30 PM
March 1, 2025 from 7:30-9:00 PM

Guest conductor Thomas Wilkins leads the orchestra in this captivating program. Copland’s sparkling Appalachian Spring is considered one of his finest works. Michael Daugherty’s Letters from Lincoln, written in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth,features baritone soloist Yazid Gray. Dvořák’s poetic eighth symphony is full of charm, inspired by the composer’s reflections on nature and life.

All Mozart

March 14, 2025 from 7:30-9:30 PM
March 15, 2025 from 7:30-9:00 PM
March 16, 2025 from 2-3 PM

Join us for a celebration of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, featuring three of his mature works. Così fan tutte, Mozart’s 1789 operatic romantic comedy, begins with the delightful overture featured here.

Described as “a first-rate Mozartean” by The Chicago Tribune, pianist Orli Shaham showcases her expertise in Mozart’s virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 20. Completing this program is Symphony No. 38, titled “Prague” for the location of its first performance. This extraordinary work demonstrates the sophisticated and complex symphonic writing of Mozart’s later years.

Bolero

March 21, 2025 from 7:30-9:30 PM
March 22, 2025 from 7:30-9:30 PM

Enjoy Ravel’s famous Boléro, a mesmerizing showcase for many of the instruments of the orchestra. Hindemith’s brilliant Symphonic Metamorphosis is his most well-known output and was immediately embraced by the public upon its premiere in 1944. Bloch’s glorious Schelomo: “Hebrew Rhapsody,” celebrates his Jewish heritage and features CSO principal cellist Luis Biava as soloist. Bizet’s exciting L’Arlésienne Suite No. 1 is inspired by the folk dances of Provence.

Bach & Brahms

April 4, 2025 from 7:30-9:30 PM
April 5, 2025 from 7:30-9:30 PM

Hear the CSO’s own talented musicians as soloists: concertmaster Joanna Frankel and principal oboist Hugo Souza perform Bach’s captivating C minor concerto for oboe and violin. Joan Tower’s Duets spotlights shifting pairs of instruments in duet configurations. Brahms’ first symphony famously took the composer twenty years to complete, resulting in a work of stunning power and beauty, cemented as a pillar in orchestral music.

Tchaikovsky Spectacular

May 16, 2025 from 7:30-9:30 PM
May 17, 2025 from 7:30-9:30 PM

A master of drama and romance, Tchaikovsky’s music transports us to his distinctive musical landscape. On this program are some of his most beloved works. Aubree Oliverson, whose performances have been described as “powerful… brimming with confidence and joy” (Miami New Times) returns to Columbus with the exquisite Violin Concerto. The sixth symphony, Tchaikovsky’s last, is a passionate triumph from a composer at the pinnacle of his career.

Britten War Requiem

May 23, 2025 from 7:30-9:30 PM
May 24, 2025 from 7:30-9:30 PM

Witness Benjamin Britten’s powerful War Requiem, a testament to Britten’s lifelong pacifism. This massive work is scored for full symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, three soloists, choir, boys’ choir, and organ, with texts from the Latin Requiem Mass and anti-war poems by Wilfred Owen, an English soldier killed in battle during World War I. Written for the reconsecration of the Coventry Cathedral, a monument destroyed during World War II, the War Requiem was premiered in 1962.

Find concert information and tickets on the website.

Friday Coffee Dress

The popular Friday CoffeeDress will give you a first look at the show, as you watch the Director and orchestra put the finishing touches on the weekend’s performances. Tickets are only $14 and include coffee and donuts. 

tba for upcoming season

Find details and tickets here.

Senior Discount for Columbus Symphony

Those ages 65 years and up qualify for a senior discount. Just request the discount when calling or purchasing in person.

Student Discount for Columbus Symphony

Any high school or college student with a valid student ID may come into the CBUSArts Ticket Center the week of the show (starting on Monday at 9am) and purchase up to two tickets per valid ID. This is valid for Masterworks and other select concerts. Not valid in top-price level seating areas.

Columbus Symphony College Club

Students can purchase a $25 annual membership and get free admission for one to all Masterworks concerts and post-concert events all season long, along with special membership emails. 

College Club Members may purchase up to four (4) additional student tickets for each Masterworks performance at $8 each. Each additional discount ticket may be asked to show a student ID upon entry to the theatre.

The additional tickets can be purchased starting on Monday the week of the show. Must show student ID when using your College Club Membership Card. 

Columbus Symphony Pops Concerts featuring legends and movies

Check out more upcoming concerts throughout Central Ohio