CONCERT

Ode To Joy

Saturday, June 5, 2027 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 6, 2027 at 2:30 p.m.

California Theatre,
San Jose, CA

Concert Length
Approx. 1 hr 50 min. with intermission

Music Notes occur one hour prior to
the concert in the auditorium.

Artists

  • Nathan Aspinall, conductor
    Emily Birsan, soprano
    Anna Laurenzo, mezzo-soprano
    Ben Gulley, tenor
    Enrico Lagasca, bass
    Symphony San Jose
    Symphony San Jose Chorale

Program

  • Leonard Bernstein

    Chichester Psalms

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 9 (“Choral”)

About This Performance

The 25th anniversary season comes to a triumphant close as we bring together two monumental masterworks that showcase the power of the human spirit.

Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms combines sacred text with exuberant, jazz-infused rhythms. Scored for chorus, boy soprano, and orchestra, this masterpiece soars from intimate moments of prayer to jubilant, heart-stirring climaxes. With its brilliant interplay of voices and instruments, Bernstein’s music captures the timeless search for peace and joy.

From the profound intensity of the opening chords to the triumphant Ode to Joy, Beethoven’s final symphony has inspired generations through all corners of the globe. With transcendent melodies, dramatic orchestral textures, brilliant vocal solos, and a conclusion that stirs the soul, Beethoven’s Ninth is more than music. It’s an experience that will reaffirm your faith in humanity.