On October 7–8, Jonathon Heyward makes his SLSO debut conducting the first SLSO performances of Kaija Saariaho’s Ciel d’hiver and Joseph Bologne’s Violin Concerto No. 2 performed by SLSO violinist Hannah Ji; concerts conclude with Maurice Ravel’s orchestration of Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition

On October 15–16, conductor Hannu Lintu returns to Powell Hall with frequent SLSO guest Kirill Gerstein in performances of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and John Corigliano’s Symphony No. 1

On October 21–22, Music Director Stéphane Denève leads the SLSO in its first performances of Reena Esmail’s Testament (from Vishwas), Florent Schmitt’s The Tragedy of Salome Suite, and rare performances of Francis Poulenc’s Stabat Mater and Final Scene from Dialogues of the Carmelites performed with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and soprano Jeanine De Bique in her SLSO debut

On October 28–29, Thomas Søndergård makes his SLSO debut conducting Anatoly Liadov’s The Enchanted Lake, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, performed by Stephen Hough, and Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 7

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced details for its classical concerts at Powell Hall throughout the month of October, including rare performances of Francis Poulenc’s Stabat Mater with Music Director Stéphane Denève and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus; the first SLSO performances of works by Joseph Bologne, Reena Esmail, and Kaija Saariaho; performances of John Corigliano’s Symphony No. 1, a modern masterpiece; and beloved favorites including Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. The month also features the SLSO debuts of two guest conductors, Jonathon Heyward and Thomas Søndergård, who were recently appointed as Music Directors at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra, respectively; and the SLSO debut of Trinidadian soprano Jeanine De Bique.

Tickets start at $15 and are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased at slso.org or by calling the Box Office at 314-534-1700. A full concert calendar is available at slso.org or on the SLSO’s mobile app available for iOS or Android. All Saturday night concerts will be broadcast live on 90.7 FM KWMU St. Louis Public Radio, Classic 107.3, or online (stlpublicradio.org/listen.php). Audiences can attend a Pre-Concert Conversation, an engaging discussion about the music and artists on the program, one hour prior to each concert in the auditorium. 

The SLSO’s 143rd season runs through June 2023. For more information, visit slso.org. 

Pictures at an Exhibition

Friday, October 7, 2022, 10:30am CDT

Saturday, October 8, 2022, 8:00pm CDT

On October 7–8, Jonathon Heyward—the 29-year-old recently named Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra— leads the SLSO in a program that transcends boundaries. The program begins with contemporary composer Kaija Saariaho’s celestial work, Ciel d’hiver (Winter Sky), an SLSO premiere. Then, the concert transitions into Joseph Bologne’s Violin Concerto No. 2 performed by SLSO violinist, Hannah Ji. Bologne is often noted as the first Black Classical composer. The concert concludes with a sonic art gallery with Maurice Ravel’s orchestration of Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, an epic tour of musical paintings and vibrant orchestral colors.

Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto

Saturday, October 15, 2022, 8:00pm CDT

Sunday, October 16, 2022, 3:00pm CDT

The next weekend, October 15–16, frequent SLSO guest conductor Hannu Lintu returns to the Powell Hall podium for the ninth time to conduct the orchestra in John Corigliano’s Symphony No. 1, a deeply personal work in remembrance of the composer’s friends lost during to the AIDS epidemic. In the first half of the concert Lintu will be joined by frequent SLSO guest and recording partner Kirill Gerstein in performances of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concert No. 2, a lyrical and colorful piece.

Stéphane Conducts Poulenc

Friday, October 21, 2022, 7:30pm CDT

Saturday, October 22, 2022, 8:00pm CDT

On October 21–22, Denève leads a program of sacrifice and tragedy. Concerts open with the SLSO’s first performance of Reena Esmail’s Testament (from Vishwas), the story of a saint-poet’s trials. Following is Florent Schmitt’s The Tragedy of Salome Suite, an intense and shimmering piece based on a poem by Robert d’ Humières. Then, the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and Trinidadian soprano Jeanine De Bique join the orchestra for two of Francis Poulenc’s choral works: Stabat Mater, which the composer wrote in response to a close friend’s death, and the Final Scene from Dialogues of the Carmelites, which depicts the fictionalized story of the Carmelite nuns who were executed for refusing to renounce their faith. Known for her “dramatic presence and versatility” (Washington Post), De Bique is a prizewinner in several competitions including the Young Concert Artists, Inc. Music Competition, the Hertogenbosch International Vocal Competition, the Viotti International Music Competition, and the Gerda Lissner Vocal Competition (New York).

Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto

Friday, October 28, 2022, 10:30am CDT

Saturday, October 29, 2022, 8:00pm CDT

To close the month, conductor Thomas Søndergård, who was recently appointed Music Director for the Minnesota Orchestra, makes his debut performance at the SLSO with a program featuring heartfelt expression and vivid imagery. The concert begins with the mystical and idyllic The Enchanted Lake by Anatoly Liadov. Then, pianist Stephen Hough brings Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto to roaring life. The program concludes with Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 7, which balances joy and despair in the composer’s final work.

Calendar listings:

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will perform the following concerts in October of 2022:

Pictures at an Exhibition

Guest conductor, Jonathon Heyward makes his SLSO debut in two concerts, October 7–8, which feature SLSO premieres of Kaija Saariaho’s Ciel d’hiver and Joseph Bologne’s Violin Concerto No. 2 performed by Hannah Ji. The concert closes with Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.

Friday, October 7, 2022, 10:30am CDT

Saturday, October 8, 2022, 8:00pm CDT

Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO

Jonathon Heyward, conductor (SLSO debut)

Hannah Ji, violin

Kaija SAARIAHO                                   Ciel d’hiver (Winter Sky) (First SLSO performances)

Joseph BOLOGNE                                 Violin Concerto No. 2 (First SLSO performances)

Modest MUSSORGSKY (orch. Ravel) Pictures at an Exhibition

Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto

October 15–16, Guest conductor, Hannu Lintu returns to Powell Hall for two concerts October 15–16 featuring Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 performed by frequent SLSO guest, Kirill Gerstein, and John Corigliano’s Symphony No. 1, a deeply moving work.

Saturday, October 15, 2022, 8:00pm CDT

Sunday, October 16, 2022, 3:00pm CDT

Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO

Hannu Lintu, conductor

Kirill Gerstein, piano

Sergei RACHMANINOFF                    Piano Concerto No. 2

John CORIGLIANO                               Symphony No. 1

Stéphane Conducts Poulenc

October 21–22, Music Director Stéphane Denève conducts the SLSO in Reena Esmail’s Testament (from Vishwas) and Florent Schmitt’s The Tragedy of Salome Suite. Then, Trinidadian Soprano Jeanine De Bique takes center stage with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus in Francis Poulenc’s Stabat Mater and Final Scene from Dialogues of the Carmelites.

Friday, October 21, 2022, 7:30pm CDT

Saturday, October 22, 2022, 8:00pm CDT

Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO

Stéphane Denève, conductor

Jeanine De Bique, soprano (SLSO debut)

St. Louis Symphony Chorus

Reena ESMAIL                                       Testament (from Vishwas) (First SLSO performances)

Florent SCHMITT                                  The Tragedy of Salome Suite

Francis POULENC                                 Stabat Mater

Francis POULENC                                 Final Scene from Dialogues of the Carmelites

Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto

October 28–29, Thomas Søndergård makes his SLSO debut conducting Anatoly Liadov’s The Enchanted Lake and Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 7. Then, pianist Stephen Hough returns to Powell Hall’s stage for a performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto.

Friday, October 28, 2022, 10:30am CDT

Saturday, October 29, 2022, 8:00pm CDT

Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO

Thomas Søndergård, conductor (SLSO debut)

Stephen Hough, piano

Anatoly LIADOV                                   The Enchanted Lake

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY               Piano Concerto No. 1

Sergei PROKOFIEV                               Symphony No. 7

About the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

Celebrated as a leading American orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, marking its 143rd year with the 2022/2023 season and its fourth with Music Director Stéphane Denève. The SLSO maintains its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and community collaborations, honoring its mission of enriching lives through the power of music.

The SLSO serves as a convener of individuals, creators, and ideas, and is committed to building community through compelling and inclusive musical experiences. As it continues its longstanding focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, the SLSO embraces its strengths as a responsive, nimble organization, while investing in partnerships locally and elevating its presence globally. For more information, visit slso.org.