Pasadena Symphony & Pops

Vivaldi Four Seasons
2024-04-20 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

April 20, 2024
2:00pm & 8:00pm Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
Si-ang Chen Symphony No. 1 “Expedition”, 2nd mvt
Puccini Crisantemi
Vivaldi Four Seasons BUY TICKETS In our long tradition of featuring the stars of tomorrow here today, multiple prize-winning violinist Charlotte Marckx brings Vivaldi’s most cherished concertos to life with her technical chops and expressive panache.
Dudamel Conducting Fellow Linhan Cui leads the orchestra for this season finale of Baroque masterworks and Award-winning Chinese Composer Si-ang Chen’s beautifully sonorous Adagio. ArtistsLinhan CuiConductor Charlotte MarckxViolin Si-ang ChenComposer Video Charlotte Marckx performs Johann Sebastian Bach Sonata for solo violin in A minor, BWV 1003 and Eugène Ysaÿe Sonata for solo violin, op. 27 No. 3 at 11th Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition. Sponsors

Mahler Symphony No. 1
2024-10-26 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

October 26, 2024
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Akiko Suwanai, violin
Peter Boyer New Beginnings
Korngold Violin Concerto
Mahler Symphony No. 1, “Titan”
Buy Tickets Mitchell launches his tenure with the massive orchestral force of Mahler’s monumental “Titan” Symphony, topping off a grandiose performance with International Tchaikovsky Competition winner Akiko Suwanai on Korngold’s “Hollywood” Violin Concerto. ArtistsAkiko SuwanaiViolin Brett MitchellMusic Director Peter BoyerComposer Video Sponsors

Rhapsody in Blue
2024-11-16 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

November 16, 2024
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Stewart Goodyear, piano
Mason Bates Sea-Blue Circuitry
Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
Ravel Une barque sur l’océan
Debussy La Mer Buy Tickets This water-themed program introduces Mason Bates’ motherboard-inspired Sea-Blue Circuitry and commemorates the 100th birthday of Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue. Float away as Debussy’s La Mer paints a majestic picture of the sea with a mosaic of orchestral colors, climaxing waves of sound and emotional imagery that will run through you. ArtistsBrett MitchellMusic Director Mason BatesComposer Stewart GoodyearPiano Video Sponsors

Mozart “Jupiter” Symphony
2025-01-25 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

January 25, 2025
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Inon Barnatan, piano
Jessie Montgomery Starburst
Florence Price Concerto for Piano in One Movement
Mozart Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter” Buy Tickets A vibrant work by 2024 GRAMMY-winner Jessie Montgomery opens the program with acclaimed pianist Inon Barnatan performing trailblazing composer Florence Price’s Piano Concerto. Plus Mozart’s jubilant final symphony – pure exhilaration!

The Pasadena Symphony believes in the healing power of music. We are offering free tickets to all first responders and anyone who has been displaced, evacuated or experienced loss during the wildfires. Click here to sign up.
*Tickets available while quantities last. ArtistsBrett MitchellMusic Director Inon BarnatanPiano Jessie MontgomeryComposer Video Sponsors
Insights Sponsor:

Wildfire Recovery Effort
2025-02-05 - 2025-05-31 | CA
We’d like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support for our instrument drive, which is helping to replenish instruments lost in the Eaton Fires. Many of our Youth Orchestra students lost their instruments in the fire and our partner school, Elliots Arts Magnet, which maintained a large instrument library for PUSD, has also been severely damaged.
Your donations have already helped a lot of our students get back to playing music. Thank you – your support is truly inspiring!
We are still accepting some gently used orchestra instruments, depending on need, at our office. Please do not bring instruments in need of major repair. For questions and more details, please email Kristine Llanderal.
We’re also in the need for music supplies to help students impacted by the fires, including music stands, strings, reeds, rosin and shoulder rests.
If you or anyone you know has lost a musical instrument in the fires, please email Alex Chu. We’d love to help! Ways to Support Please click here to donate instruments or music supplies. If you would prefer to provide monetary support for our fire recovery effort, click here: Donate Now

Help our community reconnect and rebuild through music!

Follow this page for updates. Last Updated: April 2, 2025

Dvořák Cello Concerto
2025-02-15 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

February 15, 2025
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Mark Kosower, cello
Wagner “Wotan’s Farewell” from Die Walküre
Dvořák Cello Concerto
Bartók Concerto for Orchestra Buy Tickets
Indulge in the romance of Wagner’s thrilling “Wotan’s Farewell” and Dvořák’s rapturous Cello Concerto, written in tribute to a long-lost love.
ArtistsBrett MitchellMusic Director Mark KosowerCello Video Sponsors
Insights Sponsor:

Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5 "Turkish"
2025-03-22 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

March 22, 2025
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Stefan Jackiw, violin
Adolphus Hailstork Baroque Suite
Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5 “Turkish”
Prokofiev Classical Symphony
Stravinsky Suite from Pulcinella Buy Tickets Jackiw will transport you to the exotic with Mozart’s “Turkish” Violin Concerto, while Adolphus Hailstork’s contemporary Baroque-infused Suite bridges the way to Prokofiev’s impeccably crafted Classical Symphony. ArtistsAdolphus HailstorkComposer Brett MitchellMusic Director Stefan JackiwViolin Video Sponsors
Insights Sponsor:

Beethoven “Pastoral” Symphony
2025-05-03 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

May 3, 2025
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
William Hagen, violin
Chadwick A Pastoral Prelude for Orchestra
Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1
Beethoven Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral” Buy Tickets
Mitchell wraps his inaugural season in a cloak of exquisite musical beauty, concluding with a sense of optimism and joy for Beethoven’s expansive “Pastoral” Symphony.

ArtistsBrett MitchellMusic Director William HagenViolin Video Sponsors
Insights Sponsor:

Symphonie Fantastique!
2025-11-08 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

November 8, 2025
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Orion Weiss, piano
Jim Self Tour de Force
Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major
Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique BUY TICKETS Mitchell kicks off the season in dramatic style with Ravel’s jazz-inspired Piano Concerto and Berlioz’s bold, hallucinatory masterpiece of passion, obsession and vivid orchestral storytelling. Plus Principal Tuba Jim Self’s celebratory Tour de Force opens his 50th season with the orchestra!
Join us one hour before the performance for Insights – a free pre-concert dialogue with KUSC Host Brian Lauritzen and Music Director Brett Mitchell. Learn about the works being performed and get a behind-the-scenes look at our guest artists and conductor. ArtistsBrett MitchellMusic Director Orion WeissPiano Jim SelfComposer Video Sponsors
Concert Underwriter:
Kimberly S. Winick

Insights Sponsor:
Alan Fisher, MD
& Hear MD

Mendelssohn & Meyer
2026-01-24 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

January 24, 2026
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Tessa Lark, violin
Mendelssohn The Hebrides Overture (Fingal’s Cave)
Edgar Meyer Violin Concerto
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3 “Scottish” Buy Tickets Embark on a rich musical journey as Mendelssohn’s evocative “Scottish” Symphony captures the misty beauty of the Highlands, and violinist Tessa Lark brings you through fields of Southern bluegrass with fire and finesse for Edgar Meyer’s genre-blending concerto.
Join us one hour before the performance for Insights – a free pre-concert dialogue with KUSC Host Brian Lauritzen and Music Director Brett Mitchell. Learn about the works being performed and get a behind-the-scenes look at our guest artists and conductor. ArtistsTessa LarkViolin Edgar MeyerComposer Brett MitchellMusic Director Video Sponsors
Concert Underwriter:
Barbara Mann Steinwedell

Insights Sponsor:
Alan Fisher, MD
& Hear MD

Tchaikovsky Pathétique
2026-02-21 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

February 21, 2026
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Michelle Cann, piano
Jeffrey Nytch Beacon
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique” Buy Tickets Delight in the elegance of Mozart’s 23rd Piano Concerto, shimmering with grace and lyrical beauty at the hands of the electrifying Michelle Cann. Then, plunge into the emotional depths of Tchaikovsky’s haunting “Pathétique” Symphony for a gripping journey exploring love, despair and fate.
Join us one hour before the performance for Insights – a free pre-concert dialogue with KUSC Host Brian Lauritzen and Music Director Brett Mitchell. Learn about the works being performed and get a behind-the-scenes look at our guest artists and conductor. ArtistsJeffrey NytchComposer Michelle CannPiano Brett MitchellMusic Director Video Sponsors
Concert Underwriter:
Marlene R. Konnar & John D. Baldeschwieler

Insights Sponsor:
Alan Fisher, MD
& Hear MD

Dvořák New World Symphony
2026-03-21 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

March 21, 2026
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Juan Pablo Contreras, composer & special guest
Bernstein Three Dance Variations from Fancy Free
Juan Pablo Contreras Symphony No. 1
“MyGreat Dream” (co-commission)
Dvořák Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” Buy Tickets Be among the first to experience acclaimed composer Juan Pablo Conteras’ first symphony, capturing his journey to becoming a composer and a US citizen, and get lost in one of the most popular symphonies of all time – a tribute to the American spirit. ArtistsJuan Pablo ContrerasComposer & Special Guest Brett MitchellMusic Director Video Sponsors
Individual Concert Underwriter:
The Executive Committee of the
Pasadena Symphony Association Board of Directors

Insights Sponsor:
Alan Fisher, MD
& Hear MD

Beethoven Eroica
2026-04-25 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

April 25, 2026
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Julian Schwarz, cello
Quinn Mason Heroic Overture (Overtura Eroica)
Jennifer Higdon Cello Concerto (West Coast Premiere)
Beethoven Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” Buy Tickets A grand display of musical innovation across centuries, with the west coast premiere of Grammy-winning composer Jennifer Higdon’s cello concerto, and the bold spirit of Beethoven’s ground-breaking Eroica Symphony—revolutionary, heroic and full of power.
Join us one hour before the performance for Insights – a free pre-concert dialogue with KUSC Host Brian Lauritzen and Music Director Brett Mitchell. Learn about the works being performed and get a behind-the-scenes look at our guest artists and conductor. ArtistsBrett MitchellMusic Director Julian SchwarzCello Quinn MasonComposer Jennifer HigdonComposer Video Sponsors
Concert Underwriter:
Linda & William Krantz

Insights Sponsor:
Alan Fisher, MD
& Hear MD

America @ 250
2026-05-30 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

May 30, 2026
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Alec Baldwin, narrator
Terrence Wilson, piano
John Williams Liberty Fanfare
Gershwin Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra
Copland Appalachian Spring Suite
Copland Lincoln Portrait Buy Tickets
The season closes with a celebration of American orchestral music – John Williams, Gershwin and two seminal pieces by Copland. Terrence Wilson dazzles on Gershwin’s vibrant Concerto in F and acclaimed actor Alec Baldwin brings a distinctive voice to Copland’s ode to Lincoln. It’s a season finale you won’t want to miss!
Join us one hour before the performance for Insights – a free pre-concert dialogue with KUSC Host Brian Lauritzen and Music Director Brett Mitchell. Learn about the works being performed and get a behind-the-scenes look at our guest artists and conductor. ArtistsTerrence WilsonPiano Alec BaldwinNarrator Brett MitchellMusic Director Video Sponsors
Individual Concert Underwriter:
Georgianna Bray Erskine
In memory of her mother, Evelyn Bray, and in honor of
the Women’s Committee of the Pasadena Symphony Association

Insights Sponsor:
Alan Fisher, MD
& Hear MD

Brahms Symphony No. 1
2026-10-24 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

October 24, 2026
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Benjamin Beilman, violin
Joan Tower Made in America
Barber Violin Concerto
Brahms Symphony No. 1 BUY TICKETS ArtistsBrett MitchellMusic Director Benjamin Beilman Video Sponsors
Concert Underwriter:

Insights Sponsor:

Beethoven Symphony No. 7
2026-11-14 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

November 14, 2026
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Michael Kaufman, cello
Carlos Simon Fate Now Conquers
Elgar Cello Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No. 7 BUY TICKETS ArtistsBrett MitchellMusic Director Michael Kaufman Video Sponsors
Concert Underwriter:

Marlene R. Konnar & John D. Baldeschwieler

Insights Sponsor:

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2
2027-02-13 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

February 13, 2027
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Clayton Stephenson, piano
Jennifer Higdon blue cathedral
Stravinsky Suite from The Firebird
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2
BUY TICKETS ArtistsBrett MitchellMusic Director Clayton Stephenson Video Sponsors
Concert Underwriter:

Barbara Mann Steinwedell

Insights Sponsor:

Vivaldi Four Seasons
2027-03-20 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

March 20, 2027
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Simone Porter, violin
Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
Stravinsky Dumbarton Oaks
Vivaldi The Four Seasons
BUY TICKETS ArtistsSimone PorterViolin Brett MitchellMusic Director Video Sponsors
Concert Underwriter:

Linda & William Krantz

Insights Sponsor:

Tchaikovsky & Shostakovich
2027-05-01 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

May 1, 2027
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Paul Huang, violin
Kevin Puts Millennium Canons
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto
Shostakovich Symphony No. 5
BUY TICKETS ArtistsBrett MitchellMusic Director Paul Huang Video Sponsors
Concert Underwriter:

Susan and Bill Schieff

Insights Sponsor:
