Though nearly three months remain in its current season, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra announced Tuesday its 2024-25 schedule that includes three dozen concerts in the Classical, Pops and Young People’s Family Concerts series.
The Classical Series will mark the DSO’s fifth year with Music Director Jader Bignamini, while Enrico-Lopez Yanez from the Nashville Symphony, the Pacific Symphony and the Dallas Symphony Presents take over as principal pops conductor. Tabita Berglund from Norway begins a four-year run as the DSO’s principal guest conductor.
The 21-show DSO Classical season begins Sept. 26 with Bignamini conducting and saxophonist Branford Marsalis joining the orchestra for a repertoire that includes Gershwin, Bernstein and more; an Opening Night Gala is scheduled for Sept. 28, with the same repertoire. During the season the DSO will present works by 15 living composers, including world premieres of two pieces — by Michael Abels and Detroiter Kris Johnson, both untitled — and five others commissioned or co-commissioned by the orchestra. The DSO’s Classical Roots concerts will take place next Feb. 28 and March 1, featuring Jessie Montgomery’s commissioned “Snapshots” and “Rounds” as well as the Johnson premiere, with the trumpeter performing, as well.
The Classical Series also will welcome guest conductors including Music Director Emeritus Leonard Slatkin, Marie Jacquote, Na’Zir McFadden, Donald Runnicles, Markus Stenz and others, along with several guest soloists throughout the season. The DSO will continue its “Live From Orchestra Hall” webcasts for classical concerts throughout the season.
The 11-show Pops schedule begins Sept. 20-21 with “The Music of Queen” and also includes programs spotlighting “Star Wars”; knighted British composers such as Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney; “Broadway Love Songs”; a “Celtic Journey”; and “Women Rock!” The popular “Home For the Holidays” show returns for six shows Dec. 13-15.
The Young People’s series, conducted by Lopez-Yanez and McFadden, will offer four performances, beginning with the Halloween-themed “Symphony Spooktacular” on Oct. 26.
Schedules for the Paradise Jazz Series and the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series will be announced in the near future.
Subscriptions are now on sale for the DSO series via 313-576-5111 or dso.org/subscribe. Single tickets will go on sale later in the year.
