News

Beethoven’s Mighty Ninth to be Performed in May

Linus Lerner will conduct the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, SASO Chorus, and soloists in a season-closing presentation of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in d minor, Op. 125, “The Choral.” This work is acknowledged to be the greatest symphony ever composed, and greatly influenced later composers of orchestra music, particularly Brahms and Mahler.

Contest-Winner Concerto

The Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra has assembled another top-notch lineup for its April concert, with selections from Tchaikovsky, Liszt and Rimsky-Korsakov. It’s the kind of performances SASO has become known for since 1979.

Pianist, Violinist, Harpist Win SASO Youth Concerto Competition

Pianist Rebecca Shiao won the 2014 Dorothy Vanek Youth Concerto Competition and will perform the first movement of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra on April 5 and 6. The second place winner is violinist Carissa Powe, who won $500. She is home schooled and studies violin with Wynne Rife. Harpist Claire Thai won third and $25. Also home schooled, she studies with Christine Vivona.

Rebecca Shiao Will Perform Prokofiev with SASO

Rebecca Shiao is this year’s winner of the Dorothy Vanek Youth Concerto Competition and will play the first movement of Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra on April 5 and 6. Ms. Shiao is a 17-year-old senior at Catalina Foothills High School and is a very talented student of Susan Chu.

2014 Youth Competition Winners

We’re delighted to announce the winners of this year’s Dorothy Vanek Youth Concerto Competition, held March 1–2: First Prize: Rebecca Shiao, pianoSecond Prize: Carissa Powe, violinThird Prize: Claire Thai, harp Rebecca has been invited to…

SASO Plays a Dazzling Liszt Concerto

Franz Liszt’s electrifying Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major will be performed by the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra conducted by Linus Lerner in its April concerts, with soloist Pervez Mody.

SASO Performs a Dazzling-Dramatic Concert in April

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol will open the April 5-6 spring concerts by the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra directed by Linus Lerner. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet will close the concert. Here’s a preview by Punch Howarth.

SASO performs the mighty Brahms First February 15-16

Linus Lerner with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra will perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C minor this month. Danzon No. 2 by Arturo Marquez, a Cuban-Mexican rhythmic romp, will open the concert. Following will be the dramatic cello exposition Schelomo.

Video: Tchaikovsky concerto with Edwin Kim, 1st movement

Here’s the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, featuring Edwin E. Soo Kim, one of our most acclaimed guest soloists, with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, recorded Nov. 10, 2013 at Tucson’s St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.

Arts education program engages students and helps teachers

Posted in the Explorer News on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 12 p.m.
Two-thirds of public school teachers believe that the arts are getting crowded out of the school day, according to an arts education study from Americans for the Arts.

Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) has been working to infuse arts education in the community by delivering a practical and engaging program. Musical Gold in the Morning has expanded to additional schools this year and now includes a live performance series from the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra.

Photo Galleries

**Chad – I think 9 galleries would be nice so folks can get a sense of the long history of SASO** 2021-22 Season Live at St. Phillips Plaza (May 2021) 2012 Tour to China 2018…

SASO Heads to Oaxaca for Opera Festival

Contact Kevin Larkin at manager@sasomusic.org or (520) 308-6226 The Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra is starting its 2013-14 season early with its first-ever trip to Mexico this weekend. Of course, international touring is nothing new for…

Verdi Opens New SASO Season

Guest conductor Dimitar Karaminkov will lead the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra in the opening concert of the 2013-2014 season on October 5 and 6. The program will include Verdi’s Sinfonia(Overture) to Nabucco, Concerto for Cello…

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