Dallas, September 14, 2025
News Summary
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra kicked off its 125th season at the Meyerson Symphony Center with a concert featuring works by Barber, Beethoven, and Adams. Pianist Emanuel Ax performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, while guest conductor David Robertson led the orchestra in a powerful rendition of John Adams’ ‘Harmonielehre’. The season promises an array of exciting performances, including Mahler’s Fourth Symphony and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, along with innovative programming aimed at enhancing audience engagement.
Dallas — The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) opened its classical season at the Meyerson Symphony Center on Friday night, launching the orchestra’s 125th season with a mixed program that paired Samuel Barber, Ludwig van Beethoven and John Adams. Pianist Emanuel Ax was featured in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, and the second half of the evening was devoted to John Adams’ 44-minute orchestral work Harmonielehre. The concert was led by guest conductor David Robertson, while music director Fabio Luisi remains scheduled to begin conducting with the orchestra on October 2.
Key details and immediate outcomes
The opening program began with Samuel Barber’s Overture to The School for Scandal, proceeded to Ax’s performance of the Beethoven concerto, and concluded with the extended, modernist sweep of Adams’ Harmonielehre. The DSO presented a tightly executed Barber overture and a nuanced piano concerto performance. The Adams piece, noted for its length and complexity, was given a full reading that highlighted its three distinct movements and dramatic architecture.
Performance notes: Beethoven and Harmonielehre
Emanuel Ax’s interpretation of the Beethoven concerto displayed refined control and expressive range. At times the overall orchestral texture read as heavier than what is typical for the concerto’s more intimate passages, suggesting occasional balance issues between soloist and ensemble. As an encore, Ax performed Franz Liszt’s arrangement of Franz Schubert’s “Ständchen,” which was well received by the audience.
John Adams’ Harmonielehre occupied the entire second half and was presented in three movements. The first movement is primarily mobile, featuring shifting meters and changing accents that drive toward a forceful, energetic closing. The second movement, titled “The Amfortas Wound,” builds through a sustained crescendo to a loud climax and then resolves into a quieter, reflective epilogue. The third movement, “Meister Eckhardt and Quackie,” escalates through agitated pulsings and layered textures to a large, emphatic conclusion. The work’s scale and rhythmic complexity make it demanding for listeners, but the orchestra delivered a coherent, powerful reading under Robertson’s direction.
Leadership and timing
Guest conductor David Robertson led the orchestra after a roughly two-month hiatus from classical programming. His leadership drew attention to the orchestra’s versatility and readiness to undertake both classical repertoire and contemporary symphonic works. Fabio Luisi, the orchestra’s music director, is not expected to conduct until October 2, leaving guest conductors and resident leadership to open the season.
Season programming and initiatives
The 2025–26 season marks the DSO’s 125th anniversary and includes an expansive slate of concerts across the Texas Instruments Classical Series and the Pops Series. The season highlights include a performance of Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto featuring Artist-in-Residence Leonidas Kavakos, and an opening gala that will include Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture” followed by the Tchaikovsky violin work. The season will also present six world premieres by a range of contemporary composers and a mix of cherished masterworks.
Additional programming features audience engagement strategies that blend classical repertory with elements of popular culture, such as programming that pairs Tchaikovsky with modern rap artists or framing Beethoven in contemporary multimedia contexts. The orchestra has introduced a new policy allowing drinks during classical concerts as an effort to enhance the concertgoing experience.
History and future plans
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra has been performing since 1900, making it the oldest orchestra in Texas and one of the oldest in the United States. The 125th season will culminate in a West Coast tour in spring 2026 that includes the Schumann Piano Concerto and Mahler’s Fourth Symphony. The season’s mix of anniversaries, premieres, celebrated soloists and programming experiments highlights both the organization’s history and its plans for broader audience reach.
FAQ
Q: Who conducted the season opener?
A: Guest conductor David Robertson led the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for the opening concert.
Q: Which works were performed at the opening concert?
A: The program included Samuel Barber’s Overture to The School for Scandal, Emanuel Ax performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, and John Adams’ Harmonielehre.
Q: When will music director Fabio Luisi conduct?
A: Fabio Luisi is scheduled to begin conducting the orchestra on October 2.
Q: What are some highlights of the 125th season?
A: Highlights include Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with Leonidas Kavakos, six world premieres, an opening gala, and a spring 2026 West Coast tour.
Q: Has the orchestra changed any audience policies?
A: The DSO has introduced a policy allowing drinks during classical concerts to enhance the audience experience.
Season at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening night | Barber overture; Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 (Emanuel Ax); John Adams’ Harmonielehre; conducted by David Robertson |
| Music director | Fabio Luisi (will begin conducting on October 2) |
| Anniversary | 125th season since 1900 |
| Season highlights | Mahler’s Fourth, Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (Leonidas Kavakos), six world premieres, opening gala |
| Audience policy | Drinks allowed during classical concerts |
| Season finale | West Coast tour (Spring 2026): Schumann Piano Concerto and Mahler’s Fourth Symphony |
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Additional Resources
- Dallas News: DSO Season Opener Review
- Texas Classical Review
- The Violin Channel: DSO Appointments
- Dallas News: DSO Allows Drinks During Concerts
- NBC DFW: DSO 125th Anniversary Season
- Wikipedia: Dallas Symphony Orchestra
- Google Search: Dallas Symphony Orchestra
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dallas Symphony Orchestra
- Google News: Dallas Symphony Orchestra
- WFAA: DSO Parks Concert Series
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