Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 6 in A minor Gustav Mahler was born in Kalischt, Bohemia in 1860 and died in Vienna in 1911. He completed this work in 1905 and led the first performance with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra the following year. The Symphony is scored for 4 flutes (2 doubling piccolo), piccolo, 4 oboes,… Read More
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 It may seem a fool’s errand to try to write about this massive work in a few hundred words. The symphony requires over 80 minutes to perform, employs an enormous orchestra that includesextraordinary percussion, encompasses a vast range of emotion, and pushes musicians and audiences to their limits. Nonetheless, a… Read More
Johann Sebastian Bach Mass in B Minor, BWV 232* Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany on March 31, 1685 and died in Leipzig, Germany on July 28, 1750. The first complete public performance of the Mass in B Minor took place in Leipzig, Germany in 1859 under the direction of Bach scholar Karl Reidl. It is… Read More
Sunday, April 26, 2026Tuesday, April 28, 2026 Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor is universally recognized as one of the greatest works of western music. Performances of this work have drawn large audiences for 150 years as people seek to imbibe its profound spirituality and its lofty remove from daily life. The piece… Read More
Elena Kats-Chernin Big Rhap Elena Kats-Chernin was born in Tashkent, Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic on November 4, 1957 and now resides near Sydney, Australia. Big Rhap was premiered by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra led by Bramwell Tovey in Melbourne, Australia on May 25, 2017. It is scored for 2 flutes and piccolo, 2 oboes and English horn, 2 clarinets and bass clarinet, 2 bassoons and contra bassoon, 4 horns,… Read More
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Music Director Eckart Preu is joined tonight by two soloists who are PSO members: concertmaster Charles Dimmick and principal cellist Brent Selby. Charles has soloed often with the PSO while Brent is making his first solo appearance tonight. Both enjoy busy careers in and around Boston and have distinguished pedigrees…. Read More
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In the 2026-27 season, we invite you on a journey that spans continents and centuries, exploring where we have come from, where we stand today, and where we are headed together.
Find the answers to all the questions about the orchestra you may be too afraid to ask!
Coming in 2026…The Portland Symphony Orchestra partners with Carnegie Hall to present Link Up: The Orchestra Moves! Link Up is a fully participatory, school-day concert program. Students will fill Merrill Auditorium to sing, play recorders, move, and listen along with the symphony from their seats. This program is designed for students in grades 3-6 but all are welcome and encouraged to participate!
Forte, our must-attend annual fundraiser, is just around the corner! Save the date Wednesday, May 13th for an unforgettable evening of live performances, cocktails, gourmet treats, and an exciting live auction. Tickets, tables, and sponsorship opportunities are on sale now!
