April 17, 2024
Press Releases
We Remember our Fallen, We Celebrate our Freedom
KANSAS CITY, Mo. | April 17, 2024 — It’s Kansas City’s favorite Memorial Day tradition and the perfect way to kick-off summer! Join the Kansas City Symphony and Kansas City PBS for the twentieth Bank of America Celebration at the Station. The Symphony’s free concert event takes place on Sunday, May 26, 2024 on the South Plaza of Union Station Kansas City and the North Lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial – both near Pershing Road and Main Street, just south of Downtown Kansas City, Mo.
The festivities begin at 5 p.m. and include more than 20 food trucks, live pre-concert entertainment on the main stage, plus various vendors and booths in the Veterans Place, sponsored by Kansas City National Security Campus – managed by Honeywell FM&T.
Then, starting at 8 p.m., Music Director Michael Stern leads the Kansas City Symphony performing iconic patriotic works by John Williams, Aaron Copland and John Phillip Sousa, plus crowd favorites Armed Forces Salute and the 1812 Overture with live cannons. The grand finale features a stunning fireworks display accompanied by your Kansas City Symphony. This year’s concert marks the final under the direction of Music Director Michael Stern. Don’t miss this special event as we mark the end of an era.
Can’t make it to the event? Watch live on Kansas City PBS, Channel 19.1.
The Kansas City Symphony is privileged to again partner with Union Station and the National WWI Museum and Memorial, who each will have their own Memorial Day Weekend activities and special exhibitions within their venues. We also thank the City of Kansas City, Missouri and its Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and many other community supporters.
Paid parking for the event is available in multiple surface lots and garages around the event site, including Union Station’s West Yards garage. Attendees may also park anywhere along Downtown KC’s streetcar route and ride the streetcar directly to Union Station.
Your safety is always our priority
As always, the Kansas City Symphony and our partners are making detailed safety plans for the event site, which involve local law enforcement and multiple federal agencies.
For the latest event information, be sure to visit CelebrationAtTheStation.org.
About the Kansas City Symphony
Founded in 1982 by R. Crosby Kemper Jr. and a group of passionate music lovers, the Kansas City Symphony has rocketed to become one of the top 25 orchestras in the United States. During our 42-week season, we perform a huge range of orchestral and chamber music in our performance home, Helzberg Hall, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The musicians of the Symphony also perform throughout the Kansas City metro region on our portable stage, the Mobile Music Box, and we serve as the orchestra for the Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of
Kansas City. Michael Stern, the Symphony’s music director, is finishing a 19-year tenure marked by artistic ascent, critical acclaim, and national recognition for the orchestra. Starting in July 2024, we will welcome conductor and composer Matthias Pintscher as his successor. Matthias regularly conducts many of the world’s best orchestras and opera companies and ranks as one of the world’s foremost composers of orchestral music.
Your Symphony includes 80 full-time musicians from around the world who call Kansas City home. Frequently joining them onstage is the 160-voice Symphony Chorus led by Charles Bruffy. Every season, dozens of soloists perform with us — instrumentalists, singer/songwriters, tribute rock bands, even aerial artists. We also accompany your favorite films, playing the soundtrack live as the movie is projected on Helzberg Hall’s giant screen. Between our concerts at the Kauffman Center, performances on the Mobile Music Box, and community events like Bank of America Celebration at the Station, the Symphony aspires to serve all of Kansas City through music. We belong to you, and to your neighbors, and all the people you see throughout the community.
Music connects us: it has the unique ability to draw us closer to our inner selves and also closer to one another, transcending our differences. Every Symphony concert will take you on an emotional journey — a journey that’s deeply personal but also a journey that we all experience together as one. We are your Kansas City Symphony. Visit kcsymphony.org for more information.
February 27, 2024
Kansas City Symphony to Embark on Inaugural European Tour With New Music Director Matthias Pintscher
Concerts include the Musikfest Berlin at the Berlin Philharmonie, the Concertgebouw, and Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie
KANSAS CITY, Mo. | February 27, 2024 — The Kansas City Symphony proudly announces its first-ever European concert tour in August 2024, marking a significant milestone in the orchestra’s 42-year history. Led by the Symphony’s incoming Music Director, Matthias Pintscher, the orchestra will be presented by Amsterdam’s storied Concertgebouw, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, and one of the most prominent music festivals in Europe – Musikfest Berlin at the Berlin Philharmonie.
Under Pintscher’s musical leadership, the orchestra looks forward to representing the vibrant performing arts of Kansas City, Missouri on the global stage, bringing programs of largely American works. “We are honored and excited to receive this distinguished invitation, recognizing the exceptional talent and dedication of our musicians,” expressed Danny Beckley, President and CEO, the Kansas City Symphony. “This European tour is not only a testament to the orchestra’s artistic achievements, yet also an opportunity to showcase our versatility and mastery of the symphonic art form. Audiences can anticipate an enchanting musical journey featuring classical masterpieces.”
In spring 2023, the orchestra unveiled the extraordinary news of Matthias Pintscher’s appointment as the next Music Director, sparking global interest. Invitations from prestigious venues and festivals like Musikfest Berlin, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam followed suit, marking a significant milestone for the orchestra.
Pintscher expresses enthusiasm for the journey, stating, “Performing in three of the top halls in Europe, we will showcase music that has shaped our identity as musicians. Touring presents a unique challenge as we showcase our artistic versatility, adapting our sound to different venues. It’s a time for exploration and can be an energetic, uplifting bonding experience — a real source of pride among our team. We are ready for this challenge and eager to demonstrate how American musicians perform at the highest level.”
Pintscher adds, “The new hall in Hamburg is spectacular. I conducted there during its opening season and wrote the first piece performed in the hall. This opportunity is a gift and tribute to the people of Kansas City, as we assume the role of ambassadors in three breathtaking cities. This will be a powerful and joyful experience.”
Beckley continues, “We aim to bring concerts to Europe radiating from the heart of America. Kansas City, a significant cultural destination, takes pride in having built an orchestra representing our thriving metropolitan city on the world stage.”
Acclaimed pianist Conrad Tao joins the orchestra for the tour, playing George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Tao, dubbed “the kind of musician shaping the future of classical music” by New York Magazine, is the recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and a Gilmore Young Artist.
Concert Schedule:
- Monday, August 26 – Amsterdam Concert at the Concertgebouw
- Ives: Three Places in New England
- Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
- Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
- Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole
- Wednesday, August 28 – Berlin Concert at Berlin Philharmonie
- Ives: Decoration Day and The Fourth of July from New England Holidays
- Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
- Copland: Symphony No. 3
- Thursday, August 29 – Hamburg Concert at the Elbphilharmonie
- Ives: Three Places in New England
- Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
- Copland: Symphony No. 3
About Matthias Pintscher, Conductor, and Composer
Matthias Pintscher, newly appointed Music Director of the Kansas City Symphony, brings a wealth of experience and artistry to his role. Having concluded a decade-long tenure as the Music Director of the Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pintscher has demonstrated his commitment to contemporary music. His dual role as conductor and composer has earned him recognition globally, with his works featured in major symphony orchestras worldwide. The 2023-24 season marks his fourth year as Creative Partner at the Cincinnati Symphony, further solidifying his impact on the world of classical music.
About the Kansas City Symphony
Founded in 1982 by R. Crosby Kemper, Jr., the Kansas City Symphony has risen to rank among the top 25 orchestras in the United States. In our 42-week season, we present a diverse repertoire of orchestral and chamber music at Helzberg Hall, located in the prestigious Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
Under the direction of Michael Stern for 19 years, the Symphony has achieved artistic excellence, critical acclaim, and national recognition. In July 2024, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of conductor and composer Matthias Pintscher as our new music director, known for leading world-class orchestras and opera companies. Comprising 80 full-time musicians from around the world, our Symphony Chorus, led by Charles Bruffy, frequently joins them on stage. Season after season, we feature soloists from various genres, bringing a diverse range of musical experiences to our audience.
Beyond traditional performances, we extend our reach across the Kansas City metro region with our portable stage, the Mobile Music Box. As the proud orchestra for the Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City, we continue to enrich the community through music. Whether captivating audiences at the Kauffman Center, on the Mobile Music Box, or at community events like Celebration at the Station, the Symphony remains dedicated to enriching the lives of all Kansas City residents and visitors through the transformative power of music. For more information, visit kcsymphony.org.
January 30, 2024
Violinist Pamela Frank cannot perform this weekend; KC Symphony will now present Beethoven’s Fifth
MEDIA ALERT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – January 30, 2024 — The Kansas City Symphony regrettably announced today that violinist Pamela Frank, scheduled to perform Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the orchestra this weekend, cannot travel to Kansas City as she has tested positive for an acute COVID-19 infection.
The Kansas City Symphony is changing the program slightly and will replace Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with Beethoven’s beloved Symphony No. 5. The concerts will continue to feature Kansas City composer Shelley Washington’s sonic piece Both, co-commissioned by the Symphony.
We wish Ms. Frank a speedy recovery and look forward to making music with her in the future.
To purchase tickets for this Friday, Saturday and Sundays’ concerts, February 2, 3 and 4, please visit us online at kcsymphony.org or call (816) 471-0400, weekdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Media Contact:
Jeff Barker
(816) 218-2626
jbarker@kcsymphony.org
January 8, 2024
Tech N9ne in concert with your KC Symphony at the Midland Theatre on Saturday, May 4
KANSAS CITY, Mo. | January 8, 2024 — The Kansas City Symphony announces the collaboration of Kansas City’s own hip hop star, Tech N9ne, together with your Kansas City Symphony on Saturday, May 4 at 8PM at the historic Midland Theatre in Downtown Kansas City, Mo.
Out of the Midwest, Tech N9ne broke all of the rules, subverted expectations, dumbfounded the system, and set a precedent for hip-hop and independent music often imitated (but never duplicated) by generations to follow. At the helm of his own Strange Music proudly based in Kansas City, MO since 2000, he has personally notched four platinum singles, eleven gold singles, and two gold albums. As a whole, the Strange Music catalog also houses 23 RIAA gold and platinum records. Representing the underground, Tech is practically “a regular” on the Forbes Cash Kings list. Beyond gracing the cover of XXL, the stage of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and making an appearance on GMA3, he notably performed to 1 million-plus at the parade for the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory. He holds down the record for “most Top 10 albums” on the Billboard Rap Chart and staked a spot in the Top 5 of the Billboard 200 four times.
After three decades in the game, the rapper landed “the biggest hit of his career” with 2021’s “Face Off” featuring Joey Cool, King Iso, and none other than megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Tech N9ne continued his journey in 2023 with the acclaimed BLISS, and then closed out the year by being awarded with a proclamation in Kansas City, MO and being the 1st hip hop artist in the 94-year history of the Country Club Plaza holiday lighting ceremony to flip the switch to kick off the Kansas City Christmas season! Together with your Kansas City Symphony, this incredible evening of music with Tech N9ne will be like no other.
TICKETS:
- Call (816) 471-0400, Monday-Friday, 10AM-5PM
- Visit kcsymphony.org
- In-person at Shirley Bush Helzberg Symphony House, 1644 Wyandotte St., Kansas City, MO 64108
About the Kansas City Symphony
Founded in 1982, the Kansas City Symphony has established itself as a major force in the cultural life of the community. Praised for performances of uncompromising standard, the orchestra is the largest in the region and enjoys a national reputation under the artistic leadership of Music Director Michael Stern. The Symphony performs more than 130 concerts each year, reaching more than 250,000 community members. The Symphony welcomes guests of international acclaim as part of its Classical and Pops series and serves as the orchestra for the Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
Complementing its full schedule of concerts, the Symphony enriches the lives of Kansas City residents by providing music education opportunities for children and adults, such as KinderKonzerts, Young People’s Concerts, an instrument petting zoo and concert comments. The Mobile Music Box, a popup stage created by the Symphony during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaches thousands of audience members each season with dozens of chamber music concerts throughout the Kansas City metro area.
The Symphony has released nine highly praised CDs to date with Reference Recordings. The latest release features one-movement symphonies by Samuel Barber, Jean Sibelius and Alexander Scriabin. The Symphony and Michael Stern also have recorded for the Naxos label. Kansas City’s new classical music radio station, 91.9 ClassicalKC, broadcasts Kansas City Symphony performances each week. For more information on the Symphony, please visit kcsymphony.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Barker
(816) 218-2626 or jbarker@kcsymphony.org
December 22, 2023
January is Jumpin’! KC Symphony kicks off the New Year with Concerts full of Joy, Wonder, and Magical Music to Energize You
KANSAS CITY, Mo. | December 22, 2023 — The Kansas City Symphony has a schedule of exciting concerts in January and February 2024 – just what you need to chase away the winter blahs. From KC’s very own international mezzo-soprano star, cirque acrobats flying over the orchestra to the soundtrack of a classic opera, Mozart’s stylish melodies, and the awe-filled film featuring the Northern Lights, you and your family will find warmth and delight inside Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Kansas City, Mo. with your Kansas City Symphony musicians.
For tickets and gift certificates, call the Symphony Box Office at (816) 471-0400 today. You also may visit kcsymphony.org for details and tickets.
UPCOMING JANUARY SYMPHONY CONCERTS INCLUDE:
Joyce DiDonato’s Sparkling Songs, and Strauss’ Die Fledermaus: January 12-14. KC’s Joyce DiDonato, a superstar around the world, returns home to join an innovative program that is introspective and lush. Mahler, Ives, Strauss, and UMKC Conservatory faculty members and composers Chen Yi and Zhou Long.
Cirque Carmen – Troupe Vertigo: January 19-21. Imagine the cirque performers of Troupe Vertigo flying above your KC Symphony musicians while Georges Bizet’s classic opera score Carmen is performed to perfection by the Symphony. Thrills. Chills. Athletic feats of choreography will turn art into adventure. Thank you to our sponsor, Helzberg Diamonds.
Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5, plus The Magic Flute: January 26-28. Our amazing concertmaster Jun Iwasaki takes a solo bow in Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5, the pinnacle of elegance and refinement. Iwasaki’s incredible artistry meets Mozart’s gift for melody. Together with Mozart’s popular The Magic Flute and Erich Korngold’s Symphony in F-sharp, prepare for a stylish and thoroughly enjoyable program of music.
FEBRUARY CONCERT EXPERIENCES:
Violinist Pamela Frank Performs Beethoven: February 2-4. Raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Shelley Washington is making a big splash with her unique music that blends elements of jazz, rock and American folk. You’ll love how she happily rattles cages, rages against the machine, and makes lots of joyful noise in Both, a work co-commissioned by the Kansas City Symphony. Maestro Stern and the Symphony reprise their brilliant Grammy® Award-winning recording of “Four Sea Interludes” from Benjamin Britten’s haunting opera Peter Grimes. Britten’s gripping music portrays the human drama and power of the sea with stunning effect. We are eager to welcome Pamela Frank back to Kansas City for what’s sure to be a dazzling performance of Beethoven’s singular Violin Concerto. Frank will move you with her bold and perceptive interpretation of this landmark work.
The Goonies(TM) in Concert – Film + Live Orchestra: February 8-10. A search for lost pirate treasure takes a band of misfit kids on a wild adventure. Experience director Richard Donner’s 1985 fantasy film favorite like never before, as the Kansas City Symphony performs the memorable score live to the movie shown on a giant screen in Helzberg Hall.
Legend of the Northern Lights – Family Film + Live Orchestra: Sunday, February 11. Discover this fusion of science and fantasy that captures the imaginations of all ages, seamlessly combining music, film and narration. We dive into the cultural stories surrounding auroras and the actual science that causes them. Go on a spectacular voyage from the Earth’s upper atmosphere to the Sun and to the far reaches of subarctic Canada.
Symphonic Genesis and Phil Collins: February 23-25. Phil Collins’ sensational drum crescendos with the mega-band Genesis made an indelible mark on the 70s, while his solo work defined the 80s. Relive hits including “Follow You Follow Me,” “Abacab,” “I Missed Again,” “Turn It On Again,” “Sussudio,” “One More Night,” “Take Me Home,” and the iconic “In the Air Tonight.” Note: This is a tribute concert. Genesis and Phil Collins do not appear.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
- Helzberg Diamonds
- Santee Floral Designs
- UMB
- Associated Audiologists
TICKETS:
- Call (816) 471-0400, Monday-Friday, 10AM-5PM
- Visit kcsymphony.org
- In-person at Shirley Bush Helzberg Symphony House, 1644 Wyandotte St., Kansas City, MO 64108
Closed for the holidays until Wednesday, January 3 at 9 a.m.
About the Kansas City Symphony
Founded in 1982, the Kansas City Symphony has established itself as a major force in the cultural life of the community. Praised for performances of uncompromising standard, the orchestra is the largest in the region and enjoys a national reputation under the artistic leadership of Music Director Michael Stern. The Symphony performs more than 130 concerts each year, reaching more than 250,000 community members. The Symphony welcomes guests of international acclaim as part of its Classical and Pops series and serves as the orchestra for the Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
Complementing its full schedule of concerts, the Symphony enriches the lives of Kansas City residents by providing music education opportunities for children and adults, such as KinderKonzerts, Young People’s Concerts, an instrument petting zoo and concert comments. The Mobile Music Box, a popup stage created by the Symphony during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaches thousands of audience members each season with dozens of chamber music concerts throughout the Kansas City metro area.
The Symphony has released nine highly praised CDs to date with Reference Recordings. The latest release features one-movement symphonies by Samuel Barber, Jean Sibelius and Alexander Scriabin. The Symphony and Michael Stern also have recorded for the Naxos label. Kansas City’s new classical music radio station, 91.9 ClassicalKC, broadcasts Kansas City Symphony performances each week. For more information on the Symphony, please visit kcsymphony.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Barker
(816) 218-2626 or jbarker@kcsymphony.org
November 10, 2023
Fall & Holiday Concerts with the KC Symphony Fill the Kauffman Center with Joy and Inspiration
KANSAS CITY, Mo. | November 10, 2023 — The Kansas City Symphony is excited to perform a variety of live concerts during November and December at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Kansas City. From Mozart to The Muppets, your KC Symphony musicians have many special moments and memories in store. Concert tickets and Symphony gift certificates make great holiday gifts. The Symphony experience will be remembered and cherished by your friends and family. For tickets and gift certificates, call the Symphony Box Office at (816) 471-0400 today. You also may visit kcsymphony.org for details and tickets.
UPCOMING SYMPHONY CONCERTS INCLUDE:
Through the Lens: Mozart & Dvořák, November 24-26. The Kauffman Center comes alive on Thanksgiving Weekend with a multicultural music celebration led by guest conductor Paolo Bortolameolli. Enjoy Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 played by Zhu Wang, followed by Dvorak’s Symphony No. 7.
Handel’s Messiah, December 1-3. Joined by exquisite soloists and the Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Handel’s triumphant choral masterpiece, Messiah, will be presented by over 150 musicians in the acoustic precision of Helzberg Hall.
TubaChristmas 2023, Tuesday, December 5. Join us outdoors at Crown Center Square as we celebrate the holidays, tuba style! The concert at Noon is free to watch and enjoy. To perform, with rehearsal starting at 10:30AM, click here for details and the registration form.
The Muppet Christmas Carol™ in Concert, December 8-9. See the entire film with the musical score performed live by the KC Symphony. Kermit, Miss Piggy and the entire gang, along with Michael Caine as Scrooge, tell the classic Charles Dickens tale. Very few tickets remain, call (816) 471-0400 for availability.
Christmas Festival, December 14-17. Carols and songs of the season are presented by the orchestra, Symphony Chorus, Allegro Children’s Choirs of Kansas City and special guests – including Santa Claus!
Disney’s The Nightmare Before Christmas™ in Concert, December 21-24. Tim Burton’s celebrated film is shown in its entirety with the KC Symphony performing the darkly enchanting soundtrack live.
JANUARY CONCERTS ARE GREAT GIFT IDEAS:
Journey Home starring Joyce DiDonato, January 12-14. KC’s own international superstar mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato join Maestro Stern and the symphony for a dazzling evening of music. Inventive, poetic and lush.
Cirque Carmen: Troupe Vertigo, January 19-21. Witness stunning high-flying feats choreographed into Georges Bizet’s beloved opera score, Carmen. Your imagination will twist and soar as Cirque performers fly high over the orchestra!
Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 and The Magic Flute, January 26-28. Our amazing concertmaster Jun Iwasaki takes a solo bow in Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5, the pinnacle of elegance and refinement. Iwasaki’s incredible artistry meets Mozart’s gift for melody. Together with Mozart’s popular The Magic Flute and Erich Korngold’s Symphony in F-sharp, prepare for a stylish and thoroughly enjoyable program of music.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
- Kansas City’s Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund (NTDF)
- FORVIS
- UMB
- Helzberg Diamonds
TICKETS:
- Call (816) 471-0400, Monday-Friday, 10AM-5PM
- Visit kcsymphony.org
- In-person at Shirley Bush Helzberg Symphony House, 1644 Wyandotte St., Kansas City, MO 64108
About the Kansas City Symphony
Founded in 1982, the Kansas City Symphony has established itself as a major force in the cultural life of the community. Praised for performances of uncompromising standard, the orchestra is the largest in the region and enjoys a national reputation under the artistic leadership of Music Director Michael Stern. The Symphony performs more than 130 concerts each year, reaching more than 250,000 community members. The Symphony welcomes guests of international acclaim as part of its Classical and Pops series and serves as the orchestra for the Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
Complementing its full schedule of concerts, the Symphony enriches the lives of Kansas City residents by providing music education opportunities for children and adults, such as KinderKonzerts, Young People’s Concerts, an instrument petting zoo and concert comments. The Mobile Music Box, a popup stage created by the Symphony during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaches thousands of audience members each season with dozens of chamber music concerts throughout the Kansas City metro area.
The Symphony has released nine highly praised CDs to date with Reference Recordings. The latest release features one-movement symphonies by Samuel Barber, Jean Sibelius and Alexander Scriabin. The Symphony and Michael Stern also have recorded for the Naxos label. Kansas City’s new classical music radio station, 91.9 ClassicalKC, broadcasts Kansas City Symphony performances each week. For more information on the Symphony, please visit kcsymphony.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Barker
(816) 218-2626 or jbarker@kcsymphony.org
October 9, 2023
KC Symphony Announces Guest Conductors for Pops, Film + Live Orchestra, Family and Education Programs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. | October 9, 2023 — The Kansas City Symphony is excited to announce and welcome several guest conductors to the podium for its 2023/24 season. Newcomer Caleb Young will lead the orchestra in several programs and previous associate conductors Damon Gupton, Jason Seber and Gonzalo Farias also return to Kansas City.
Caleb Young enjoys a busy international conducting schedule and made his debut with the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl this past summer. His long-term work in Los Angeles with John Williams, as his assistant conductor, also takes Young to the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic orchestras. Additional work throughout Europe (Denmark, Ireland, et al) and Canada has kept Caleb Young in demand across the globe. Young was handpicked to join the inaugural class of the highly selective two-year Lead! Artists program, where he received mentorship from legendary Finnish conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste and other renowned conductors including Esa-Pekka Salonen, Hannu Lintu, and Sakari Oramo. As an alumnus of the LEAD! Foundation Academy’s conductors’ masterclass, Young was named part of “the next generation of leaders in classical music” by Finland’s Fiskars Summer Festival, and was further awarded the honor of conducting the Finnish Chamber Orchestra alongside Saraste and Salonen, a performance which received glowing reviews.
Caleb first conducted the Kansas City Symphony in education programs last spring and his connection with the orchestra was immediately recognizable. This season Caleb will conduct one of Kansas City’s favorite holiday traditions, “Christmas Festival,” as well as “Heroes and Villains” and “Around the World in 80 Days” on the KC Symphony’s family series. Caleb also will lead a special performance with Irish vocalist Cathie Ryan in March and sixteen total education concerts throughout the season.
“There is no better feeling as a conductor than having an immediate connection with an orchestra and I felt that chemistry right away last season in Kansas City,” commented Young. “I’m extremely fortunate to be making music with such a generous group of world-class musicians, in one of the finest halls in the world. I couldn’t be more excited for this upcoming venture together, on so many different programs, this season.”
Damon Gupton, the Symphony’s associate conductor during the 2006/07 season, made his Helzberg Hall debut with the orchestra at the end of September 2023 in concert with Tower of Power and the Kansas City Symphony. Damon will return to lead two performances of “A Muppet Christmas Carol” in December.
Jason Seber joins the Orchestra for “Simply the Best: The Music of Tina Turner” in April. Seber also conducts four film + live orchestra performances of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” the annual Cabaret Concert and at the signature event of Symphony in the Flint Hills.
Gonzalo Farias, recently appointed assistant conductor of the Houston Symphony, returns to Kansas City this October for “Bond and Beyond” and in February for film + live orchestra performances of “The Goonies” and “Legend of the Northern Lights.”
About the Kansas City Symphony
Founded in 1982, the Kansas City Symphony has established itself as a major force in the cultural life of the community. Praised for performances of uncompromising standard, the orchestra is the largest in the region and enjoys a national reputation under the artistic leadership of Music Director Michael Stern. The Symphony performs more than 130 concerts each year, reaching more than 250,000 community members. The Symphony welcomes guests of international acclaim as part of its Classical and Pops series and serves as the orchestra for the Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
Complementing its full schedule of concerts, the Symphony enriches the lives of Kansas City residents by providing music education opportunities for children and adults, such as KinderKonzerts, Young People’s Concerts, an instrument petting zoo and concert comments. The Mobile Music Box, a popup stage created by the Symphony during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaches thousands of audience members each season with dozens of chamber music concerts throughout the Kansas City metro area.
The Symphony has released nine highly praised CDs to date with Reference Recordings. The latest release features one-movement symphonies by Samuel Barber, Jean Sibelius and Alexander Scriabin. The Symphony and Michael Stern also have recorded for the Naxos label. Kansas City’s new classical music radio station, 91.9 ClassicalKC, broadcasts Kansas City Symphony performances each week. For more information on the Symphony, please visit kcsymphony.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Barker
(816) 218-2626 or jbarker@kcsymphony.org
May 9, 2023
Matthias Pintscher Is Named Fifth Music Director of Kansas City Symphony, Starting 2024–25
KANSAS CITY, Mo. | May 9, 2023 — The Kansas City Symphony (KCS) is thrilled to announce the appointment of German-born conductor-composer Matthias Pintscher – “one of Europe’s leading lights” (Washington Post) – as its fifth Music Director. Now completing his tenth and final season as Music Director of Ensemble Intercontemporain, the world’s foremost contemporary music ensemble, Pintscher will succeed present incumbent Michael Stern in fall 2024, for an initial term of five seasons.
The appointment concludes an exhaustive two-year search that saw the orchestra consider a multitude of guest conductors for the post. Among them were several strong contenders. However, once Pintscher made his KCS debut this past March, there was no debate. He was offered the post just days after his first appearance with the orchestra, because of the powerful, galvanic connection that sparked between them. In works by Ravel, Scriabin and Ligeti, this special rapport communicated to audiences and critics alike. The program prompted standing ovations and a five-star review from Bachtrack, which praised the conductor’s “keen musical intelligence, palpable verve and energy, as well as an impeccable command of timing.” In Ravel, the reviewer continued:
“Pintscher was excellent at creating the dreamlike sonic landscape, teasing out the lyricism, and at relishing the big-sounding discomforts, and I got the sense, especially during the epic ending, that he was enjoying every moment.”
Danny Beckley, President & CEO of the Kansas City Symphony, describes the collaboration as a “dream synergy.” He explains:
“The Kansas City Symphony first saw Matthias Pintscher on the podium on a Wednesday. The following Monday, I called to ask him to be our next Music Director! That’s how electric their rapport was from the first. We are committed to making orchestral music more appealing to a far wider audience, and I think Matthias can really help make that happen. The audiences attracted to his concerts were already the most diverse I’ve seen, with respect to age, race and degree of familiarity with classical music. Rooted in the sonic wonderland of Boulez, Matthias’s ear has been refined through his many compositions and his conducting of the world’s foremost orchestras. Just imagine applying his rich concept of sound to the core orchestral repertoire: the works of Beethoven, Bach, Debussy and Mahler! This is the kind of magic I envision with his appointment, and the way I see Matthias Pintscher and the Kansas City Symphony coming together to shape the future of our art.”
Pintscher shares this deep-seated excitement about his new role. He says:
“Many friends told me beforehand how much I would enjoy meeting and working with the Kansas City Symphony. But in March, when I first met the orchestra, we had much more than just a good time! There was an immediate connection between us. I felt a sense of homecoming when I recognized some of the musicians as alums of the New World Symphony, which I regularly conduct. And it wasn’t just that. Right from the start, the Kansas City Symphony and I shared an extraordinary level of trust and joy in music-making. Their playing was inspired, which I found immensely inspiring in turn. I felt truly welcome: welcome as the musician I am. I felt as though we had already known each other for a long time and were just picking up musically from where we had left off.
“The Kansas City Symphony is a world-class orchestra. It is dynamic, openminded and curious, and has already been brought into top shape by current music director Michael Stern. What’s more, it now plays in a state-of-the-art concert hall, one of the finest in the country, with phenomenal acoustics. Our week together culminated in three terrific performances, filled with color, passion and mutual appreciation. This appreciation was shared by our enthusiastic audiences, which gave us an exceptionally warm response.
“During my week there, I could feel the energy of the entire city and its diverse communities, and immediately connected with the locals. Some of them had never been to the symphony before, but came out to see us perform. How great is that?
“I am excited about embarking on this journey of adventures with the Kansas City Symphony, and can’t wait to start exploring different repertoires together and working to create a compelling story and vision for our vibrant community. Our hall is a place where people can meet and listen to each other’s powerful musical and human stories. I feel so honored to become part of that dynamic, as Music Director from the beginning of the 2024–25 season. Avanti!”
The musicians were unanimous in their support for Pintscher’s appointment. Kristin Velicer, Chair of the KCS Musicians’ Committee, comments:
“The musicians of the Kansas City Symphony warmly welcome Matthias Pintscher as our new Music Director. The instant chemistry and respect between Maestro Pintscher and the musicians were palpable from the first rehearsal. He set an incredibly high bar with a challenging program, and the musicians went above and beyond to deliver exhilarating performances. Additionally, the personal connections he made with us both on and off stage were inspiring and genuine. When the audience applause died down after our last concert together, we all began to stomp our feet to insist that he return to the stage, so we could applaud him ourselves and thank him for a truly spectacular week. We all came away knowing that he was the one.”
Patrick McCown, Chair of KCS’s Board of Directors, comments:
“As Kansas City continues to grow as a cultural destination, it is hard to imagine a more perfect time for Matthias Pintscher to assume the position of Music Director of the Kansas City Symphony. As a world-class conductor, teacher, musician and composer, Matthias brings a truly unique combination of gifts, skills and experience to the role. From his first appearance with the orchestra, he has made a powerful connection with the musicians that can only be described as magical. Together, their artistry and his innovative approach to classical orchestral music will build on Maestro Michael Stern’s years of invaluable foundational work, taking KCS to new heights of excellence in performance, enhancing its reputation, and winning recognition among the nation’s top orchestras.”
As Music Director, Pintscher will lead the KCS for ten weeks each season. Working in close partnership with Beckley, he will strive to shape each program as a unique experience and find new ways of presenting music to the community. Among the projects he is currently considering are small-format concerts in non-traditional venues; programs that contextualize music with storytelling; museum-based collaborations with Kansas City’s thriving visual arts’ community; period-instrument performances of core repertoire; and a semi-staged production of Bach’s St Matthew Passion. As local audience trust and support continues to grow, he hopes to explore further new directions in programming.
Pintscher’s appointment has the strong support of current Music Director Michael Stern, who says:
“I am overjoyed that Matthias is to be the next Music Director of the Kansas City Symphony. Looking beyond the end of my tenure, with all that we have worked so hard to build, I hoped only for the best possible transition to an exciting new chapter, led by an artist who would cherish our musicians and music-loving public. My hope was fulfilled. Matthias is not just the right person at the right time. He is the perfect choice, and more. His enormous accomplishments as both a composer and conductor speak volumes. Furthermore, he is a sterling colleague and a generous and brilliant artist who is completely committed to KCS’s mission. With his spirit and talent, it promises to be a great ride! I welcome his coming to Kansas City with all my heart.”
When Pintscher inaugurates his tenure in fall 2024, Stern will assume the honorary title of Music Director Laureate for the next ten seasons. Further details will be announced shortly.
About Matthias Pintscher
Matthias Pintscher is “a sculptural conductor who continually conjures up images for one’s ears” (Der Tagesspiegel, Germany). Now nearing the end of his tenure as Music Director of Ensemble Intercontemporain, winner of the 2022 Polar Music Prize, he recently led the ensemble on their final European and U.S. tours together, which featured appearances at both Carnegie and Disney Halls. Also in his second season as Creative Partner of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Pintscher’s previous titled positions include Principal Conductor of the Lucerne Festival Academy Orchestra, Music Director of California’s Ojai Music Festival, Season Creative Chair of Zurich’s Tonhalle Orchestra, Artist-in-Residence of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and nine seasons as Artist-in-Association of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he enjoys especially close relationships with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, besides appearing almost annually with Florida’s New World Symphony. He made his Philadelphia Orchestra debut this spring, bookended by engagements in the German capital, where he led the Berlin Philharmonic at this year’s Biennale and looks forward to conducting The Flying Dutchman at the Berlin State Opera. Previous operatic engagements include productions at the Vienna State Opera and Théatre du Châtelet in Paris.
Alongside his conducting career, Pintscher is one of today’s preeminent composers. His music is championed by some of the finest performing artists, conductors and orchestras worldwide, including the Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Orchestre de Paris. His works are published exclusively by Bärenreiter, and he has served on the composition faculty of New York’s Juilliard School since 2014. Born in Marl, North Rhine-Westphalia, Pintscher studied conducting with Pierre Boulez and Peter Eötvös.
About the Kansas City Symphony
Founded in 1982, the Kansas City Symphony has rocketed to become one of the top 25 orchestras in the United States. The orchestra makes its home in Helzberg Hall at Kansas City’s Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. With 1,600 seats and acoustic design by living legend Yasuhisa Toyota, this is widely recognized as one of the world’s great concert halls. In addition, the orchestra regularly presents traveling chamber performances on the Mobile Music Box. Conceived at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, this self-contained portable stage has been in regular operation since September 2020.
The Kansas City Symphony aims to increase the desirability of classical music throughout the community by taking an experiential approach to concerts. Launching in fall 2023, the orchestra’s Audience Development Initiative will integrate music performances with story-driven narrative, to draw clear connections between music and the human experience. Besides giving hundreds of orchestral and chamber music performances each season, the Kansas City Symphony serves as the pit orchestra for both the Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City. The 160-member Kansas City Symphony Chorus provides the choral voice of the Kansas City Symphony, expanding the orchestra’s artistic scope.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Barker
(816) 218-2626 or jbarker@kcsymphony.org
Click here for high-resolution photos.
April 25, 2023
Bank of America Celebration at the Station returns Sunday, May 28
KC Symphony announces Bank of America Celebration at the Station returning to Union Station and NWW1 Museum on Sunday, May 28
KANSAS CITY, Mo. | April 25, 2023 — Kansas City’s favorite Memorial Day tradition! Join the Kansas City Symphony for Bank of America Celebration at the Station. The Symphony’s free concert event takes place Sunday, May 28, 2023 on the South Plaza of Union Station Kansas City and the North Lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial – both near Pershing Road and Main Street, just south of Downtown Kansas City, Mo.
The festivities begin at 5 p.m. and include food trucks, live pre-concert entertainment on the main stage with Drive On and the Back Alley Brass Band, plus various vendors and booths in the Veterans Place, sponsored by the Kansas City National Security Campus, managed by Honeywell FM&T. Visit kcsymphony.org for details.
At 8 p.m., Music Director Michael Stern leads the Kansas City Symphony in a concert featuring special guests The Resilient performing works by Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen and more. The Resilient is a rock band primarily composed of severely wounded U.S. combat veterans and they proudly return to Kansas City after first performing with the Symphony in 2013. The Kansas City Symphony also performs iconic patriotic works by John Williams, Aaron Copland and John Phillip Sousa, plus crowd favorites Armed Forces Salute and the 1812 Overture with live firing cannons. The grand finale features a stunning fireworks display accompanied by your Kansas City Symphony. It’s the perfect kick-off to your summer!
Can’t make it to the event? Watch live on Kansas City PBS, Channel 19.1.
For complete event details including parking information, please visit kcsymphony.org/celebration.
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About the Kansas City Symphony
Founded in 1982, the Kansas City Symphony has established itself as a major force in the cultural life of the community. Praised for performances of uncompromising standard, the orchestra is the largest in the region and enjoys a national reputation under the artistic leadership of Music Director Michael Stern. The Symphony performs more than 130 concerts each year, reaching more than 250,000 community members. The Symphony welcomes guests of international acclaim as part of its Classical and Pops series and serves as the orchestra for the Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
Complementing its full schedule of concerts, the Symphony enriches the lives of Kansas City residents by providing music education opportunities for children and adults, such as KinderKonzerts, Young People’s Concerts, an instrument petting zoo and concert comments. The Mobile Music Box, a popup stage created by the Symphony during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaches thousands of audience members each season with dozens of chamber music concerts throughout the Kansas City metro area.
The Symphony has released nine highly praised CDs to date with Reference Recordings. The latest release features one-movement symphonies by Samuel Barber, Jean Sibelius and Alexander Scriabin. The Symphony and Michael Stern also have recorded for the Naxos label. Kansas City’s new classical music radio station, 91.9 ClassicalKC, broadcasts Kansas City Symphony performances each week. For more information on the Symphony, please visit kcsymphony.org.
March 28, 2023
Upcoming 2023/24 Season is Michael Stern’s Final Season as Music Director
“Making music matter in Kansas City has been a joyous mission for 20 years”
KANSAS CITY, Mo. | March 28, 2023 — Experience Michael Stern’s unforgettable final season as music director of your Kansas City Symphony. Michael has pulled out all the stops, planning a season filled with powerhouse pieces and exciting new works. He’ll be joined by superstars of orchestral music like Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Kansas City’s own Joyce DiDonato, Yefim Bronfman, Kelley O’Connor, Pamela Frank, Philippe Quint and more. You’ll also hear KC Symphony co-commissions and world premieres by Chen Yi, Errollyn Wallen, Joel Thompson and Angel Lam, to name just a few.
In January, the Symphony announced its 2023/24 classical series and has been busy renewing existing season ticket holders, and is now selling season ticket packages to new buyers.
In addition to a special performance with Yo-Yo Ma, next season Michael will be conducting eight Classical Series performances that will include monumental works by Johannes Brahms, Richard Strauss, Gustav Mahler, Ludwig van Beethoven and more.
During Michael’s impressive 19-year run as music director he has grown the Symphony to become one of the top 25 orchestras in the country. It’s also become a champion of American composers, showcasing commissions, co-commissions and premieres of new works each season.
Reflecting on his time leading the KC Symphony, Michael says, “Making music matter in Kansas City has been a joyous mission for 20 years, and becoming part of the Kansas City Symphony family has been my honor. Making this season happen has been both bittersweet and a joyous labor of love. I intend to make every moment of it count, and I look forward to sharing it all with you, with all my gratitude.”
Danny Beckley, President and CEO of the Kansas City Symphony, adds, “The orchestra has flourished with Michael Stern as music director. At the beginning of Michael’s tenure, this was a good regional orchestra. Now, near the end of his tenure, we rank among America’s finest major ensembles. This is a testament to the power of his artistic vision and the alignment of forces in support of it. Now, Michael Stern has positioned this orchestra to leap forward in service to Kansas City.”
“For almost two decades, I have begun each new season announcing the programs, eagerly looking forward to the music ahead. This year is no different. And yet — it is,” says Stern. “I have always tried to look ahead, not back, and my highest priority has been to guide the Kansas City Symphony toward greater artistic heights. Yet as I launch into this last year of my tenure as music director, I find myself thinking back on our journey together since my first concert as a guest conductor in 2003. Auditions, meetings, rehearsals, concerts, recordings — there have been so many projects, and so much wonderful music.”
Stern continues, “In the end, what remains most important are not the events, but the deep connections with so many of you throughout our community, the friendships with our dedicated administrative staff and Board of Directors, and above all, the energized partnership with the extraordinary musicians of the KC Symphony. Their professionalism, integrity and profound musicianship have been unwavering. My heart is full of admiration and affection for them and for the sheer exuberance and excellence of their artistry.”
Michael Stern is particularly proud of the extensive catalogue of Gustav Mahler works performed by the Symphony throughout his tenure. “I could think of no better choices than Mahler’s ‘Songs of a Wayfarer’ and his monumental ‘Resurrection’ Symphony to highlight this last season. And above all, I wanted to put the spotlight on our musicians, highlighting their individual and collective virtuosity in masterpieces by Brahms, Bartók, Richard and Johann Strauss, Ginastera, Lutosławski, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Sibelius and so many more.”
Join us next season in celebrating the singular talent that is Maestro Michael Stern. Season tickets for Michael’s final season with the KC Symphony are selling fast, so don’t wait… get yours today!
To view our entire 2023/24 Classical Series of concerts, along with Pops and Family Series concerts plus holiday and special presentations, please visit kcsymphony.org/season.
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About the Kansas City Symphony
Founded in 1982, the Kansas City Symphony has established itself as a major force in the cultural life of the community. Praised for performances of uncompromising standard, the orchestra is the largest in the region and enjoys a national reputation under the artistic leadership of Music Director Michael Stern. The Symphony performs more than 130 concerts each year, reaching more than 250,000 community members. The Symphony welcomes guests of international acclaim as part of its Classical and Pops series and serves as the orchestra for the Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
Complementing its full schedule of concerts, the Symphony enriches the lives of Kansas City residents by providing music education opportunities for children and adults, such as KinderKonzerts, Young People’s Concerts, an instrument petting zoo and concert comments. The Mobile Music Box, a popup stage created by the Symphony during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaches thousands of audience members each season with dozens of chamber music concerts throughout the Kansas City metro area.
The Symphony has released nine highly praised CDs to date with Reference Recordings. The latest release features one-movement symphonies by Samuel Barber, Jean Sibelius and Alexander Scriabin. The Symphony and Michael Stern also have recorded for the Naxos label. Kansas City’s new classical music radio station, 91.9 ClassicalKC, broadcasts Kansas City Symphony performances each week. For more information on the Symphony, please visit kcsymphony.org.