Fantastique Finale

Fantastique Finale – Long Beach Symphony Classical Series Concert | June 5, 2027

Fantastique Finale brings an exhilarating close to the Long Beach Symphony 2026-27 as a celebration of orchestral imagination and emotional depth. Under the baton of Music Director Eckart Preu, the evening opens with Augusta Holmès’s La Nuit et l’Amour, a richly expressive work that evokes the mysterious beauty and passion of nightfall. From there, Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream transports listeners into a world of fairy‑tale wonder with shimmering orchestral textures and effervescent charm. The energy continues with Jimmy López’s Fiesta!, a vibrant, rhythmic showcase of colorful orchestration and festive spirit. The concert culminates in Berlioz’s towering masterpiece, Symphonie fantastique — a bold, narrative‑driven symphony full of dramatic highs, haunting visions, and unforgettable musical storytelling. This finale promises an unforgettable journey from mystery and whimsy to exhilaration.

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Experience the Classical Series—uplifting, elegant evenings framed by the Terrace Theater’s dazzling fountains and glowing fire pits. Arrive early to enjoy the live Prelude Ensemble in the lobby, then deepen your connection to the music at the free 6:30 PM “Pre-Concert Talk with Music Director Eckart Preu” offering engaging insights into the evening’s program. Make the night your own by socializing in The Third Space and enjoying our soothing “Sip & Enjoy” concert-hall experience. Doors open at 6:00 PM—come early and savor every moment.

 

Heaven & Earth

Heaven & Earth – Long Beach Symphony Classical Series Concert | Mar 6, 2027

Heaven & Earth invites you on a transcendent musical journey that bridges the celestial with the deeply human. Under the baton of Music Director Eckart Preu and featuring the luminous artistry of violinist Randall Goosby, this program pairs evocative works that soar with beauty and depth. Gabriela Lena Frank’s Haillí-Serenata offers vibrant colors inspired by heritage and spirit, followed by Brahms’ Violin Concerto, a richly expressive tour de force that showcases both solo brilliance and symphonic sweep. The evening culminates with Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”, a dazzling testament to classical mastery, full of grandeur, wit, and radiant energy. Together, it’s an unforgettable portrait of music that reaches from earthly passion to heavenly heights. Learn more about Randall here.

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Experience the Classical Series—uplifting, elegant evenings framed by the Terrace Theater’s dazzling fountains and glowing fire pits. Arrive early to enjoy the live Prelude Ensemble in the lobby, then deepen your connection to the music at the free 6:30 PM “Pre-Concert Talk with Music Director Eckart Preu” offering engaging insights into the evening’s program. Make the night your own by socializing in The Third Space and enjoying our soothing “Sip & Enjoy” concert-hall experience. Doors open at 6:00 PM—come early and savor every moment.

 

Painting in Notes

Painting in Notes — Long Beach Symphony Classical Concert | Feb 6, 2027

Painting in Notes is an immersive orchestral experience presented by the Long Beach Symphony on February 6, 2027 at the Terrace Theater. Under the baton of Music Director Eckart Preu, this program blends rhythmic vitality, Latin flair, impressionistic color, and musical storytelling…

Miguel del Águila – Conga-Line in Hell is a bold, rhythmic work inspired by infectious dance rhythms and orchestral power.

Ernesto Cordero –Concierto Criollo captures the Latin American spirit—rhythmic, lyrical, and richly expressive.

Debussy – La Mer is an impressionistic masterpiece evoking the shifting moods of the sea.

Dukas – The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, the beloved tone poem filled with magical drama and lively orchestration.

 Together, these works create an evening of vivid musical textures that feel like art brought to life in sound.

 Subscribe & Save | Download Full Season Guide

 

Experience the Classical Series—uplifting, elegant evenings framed by the Terrace Theater’s dazzling fountains and glowing fire pits. Arrive early to enjoy the live Prelude Ensemble in the lobby, then deepen your connection to the music at the free 6:30 PM “Pre-Concert Talk with Music Director Eckart Preu” offering engaging insights into the evening’s program. Make the night your own by socializing in The Third Space and enjoying our soothing “Sip & Enjoy” concert-hall experience. Doors open at 6:00 PM—come early and savor every moment.

 

Entangled in Passion

Entangled in Passion – Long Beach Symphony Classical Series Concert | Nov 14, 2026

Entangled in Passion invites audiences on a sweeping musical journey through intensity, romance, and rhythmic drive. Experience Ravel’s hypnotic Bolero, a masterwork of repeating motifs and escalating energy. Feel the dramatic boldness of Strauss’ Don Juan, a vivid orchestral portrait of love and adventure. The evening’s emotional heart comes from Rachmaninoff’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 2, a deeply expressive work full of lush melodies and virtuosic fire. United by passion and power, this concert celebrates the unforgettable emotional impact of orchestral music.

 Subscribe & Save | Download Full Season Guide

 

Experience the Classical Series—uplifting, elegant evenings framed by the Terrace Theater’s dazzling fountains and glowing fire pits. Arrive early to enjoy the live Prelude Ensemble in the lobby, then deepen your connection to the music at the free 6:30 PM “Pre-Concert Talk with Music Director Eckart Preu” offering engaging insights into the evening’s program. Make the night your own by socializing in The Third Space and enjoying our soothing “Sip & Enjoy” concert-hall experience. Doors open at 6:00 PM—come early and savor every moment.

Faces of America at 250

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America at 250 Live Concert with Long Beach Symphony

Join the Long Beach Symphony for “Faces of America at 250”, a stirring musical celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary performed under the artistic direction of Eckart Preu at the Terrace Theater on October 10, 2026. This powerful concert celebrates the spirit and ideals of America through music. From the stirring strains of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Copland’s iconic Fanfare for the Common Man, the program honors the values of freedom, resilience, and history that define the nation. Visions of Humanity, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, reflects on our collective past while looking toward a hopeful future. The energy and cultural richness of the American experience come alive in James P. Johnson’s Harlem Symphony, culminating in the exuberant optimism of Gershwin’s Strike Up the Band—a joyful finale that captures the bold, spirited voice of America.

 Subscribe & Save | Download Full Season Guide

Experience the Classical Series—uplifting, elegant evenings framed by the Terrace Theater’s dazzling fountains and glowing fire pits. Arrive early to enjoy the live Prelude Ensemble in the lobby, then deepen your connection to the music at the free 6:30 PM “Pre-Concert Talk with Music Director Eckart Preu” offering engaging insights into the evening’s program. Make the night your own by socializing in The Third Space and enjoying our soothing “Sip & Enjoy” concert-hall experience. Doors open at 6:00 PM—come early and savor every moment.

Magnificent Mozart & Mahler

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Magnificent Mozart & Mahler brings two of classical music’s most beloved works to life with the Long Beach Symphony Classical Series at Long Beach Terrace Theater in Long Beach, CA on June 6, 2026. This concert features Mozart’s cheerful Eine kleine Nachtmusik and the emotionally powerful Symphony No. 5 by Gustav Mahler — a journey from graceful elegance to exhilarating triumph.

In Eckart’s words:

We begin our final concert of the season with one of Mozart’s best-known and most beloved works: Eine kleine Nachtmusik (or A Little Night Music) and like most of Mozart’s works, it sounds so simple and completely belies the composer’s sophistication. We actually don’t know for sure why Mozart composed this piece. He rarely composed without a specific purpose or commission. And there’s no mention of this work in his letters or those of his contemporaries. All we know is that he finished it when he was 31 years old in Vienna—the same year he wrote his opera Don Giovanni. Maybe it was one of several works written for a friend of his, Gottfried von Jacquin, in Vienna. Jacquin’s sister, Franziska, was a pupil of Mozart, and together, they met as a group at Jacquin’s home for what they called “discussions, games, and merrymaking.” Mozart actually wrote several works for the Jacquin household, and A Little Night Music may well have been one of them. And maybe it’s an example of party music—who knows? In any case, it is great music, lots of fun to play and to listen to.

In the second half, we will end our season with a bang—with one of the greatest symphonies of the 20th century: Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. Mahler was an incredibly busy conductor, and the only time he had to compose was during his summer breaks. Just like Brahms, Mahler usually spent his summers somewhere in the Austrian mountains, or maybe in the mountains of northern Italy. He actually built a house in Maiernigg on Lake Wörthersee in Austria and composed there. It was a special hut, away from the house and everything else—his composing hut. He needed solitude, and like Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, Mahler took long walks. At the time, Mahler studied polyphonic motets by Bach and songs by Schumann, and we can hear both of these influences in his Fifth Symphony. Mahler became really obsessed with polyphony after studying Bach, and we can hear that in the third and fifth movements of the symphony. His study of Schumann’s songs may well have inspired the famous fourth movement, the Adagietto, which we all know from Visconti’s movie Death in Venice.

We can also hear the influence of Anton Bruckner—in the big chorale at the end of the second movement and at the end of the fifth movement. The sounds of Vienna play a big role in Mahler’s music, especially the music of Johann Strauss—the waltz, the lightness, the dance. And very importantly, Mahler was inspired by military music. In his childhood, Mahler spent 15 years in Iglau, where his parents and siblings lived just a few steps away from the town’s main square. There, he was able to watch the performances of the military band, and those military sounds were incredibly important to his music—his music is infused with marching band rhythms of all sorts. All of these elements, and so much more, can be heard in Mahler’s music. The emotional range of this symphony is incredible—from the most tender moments to violent outbursts, from frivolous happiness to tender intimacy, mourning wailing, threatening sounds and defiance. There are often very sudden, almost jarring changes without warning. The emotions sometimes seem in disarray, chaotic, disoriented, even neurotic. In the end, this symphony is a journey from darkness to light.

It opens with a gigantic funeral march and ends in the finale with music that is full of joy—perhaps an experience of redemption, triumph, and victory. It’s a fantastic symphony that reflects the struggle of the individual—Mahler himself—and the universal struggle for happiness, love, and humanism, in general.

 

Audiences will enjoy the Classical ‎Series fun and elegant evening surrounded by the Terrace Theater’s dazzling fountains and fire pits, prelude ensemble in the lobby, 6:30 PM Pre-Concert Talk to gain greater knowledge regarding the evening programming, and the ability to “Sip & Enjoy” in the concert hall.  Doors open at 6PM.

Pepe Romero Returns

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Pepe Romero Returns marks the celebrated return of classical guitar legend Pepe Romero with the Long Beach Symphony Classical Series at the Long Beach Terrace Theater in Long Beach, CA on February 28, 2026. This special concert features the beloved Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo — arguably the most iconic guitar concerto of all time — as well as Gabriela Lena Frank’s Elegia Andina and joyful movements from Handel’s Water Music Suites.

In Eckart’s words:

Our fourth classical concert is very special because we celebrate the return of Pepe Romero to Long Beach Symphony.

Pepe is a living legend who is not only one of the most wonderful musicians I have ever worked with, but also an incredible person who brings an irresistible humanity to the stage and to his music. I think it is that combination of incredible artistry and personality that makes his music-making so unique. I hope you can join us for this singular event. Pepe will perform the guitar concerto of all guitar concertos, the Concierto de Aranjuez by Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo, a concerto that transports us to Spain. The first movement is infused with dance-like rhythms– but I really think that the crown jewel of this work is the truly magical second movement, the slow movement and its haunting melody for English horn. It is one of the most beautiful melodies ever composed.

We’ll start the evening with Elegia Andina for Orchestra by Gabriela Frank, a composer who is American but explores her Peruvian roots in her music, much like other composers before her, such as Zoltán Kodály and Béla Bartók, she collects music from indigenous peoples and weaves those influences into her compositions. So, for instance, in her Elegia Andina, there is a very prominent solo flute part inspired by the zampoña, or pan flute. The pan flute, or panpipe, is a traditional Andean instrument that originated in Peru. In this music, you will hear nostalgic elements inspired by the panpipes of the region. For me, Andean Elegy tells a story. I call it “A Day in the Jungle.” The opening represents night and the awakening of the jungle. It’s really like the rainforest groans as it comes to life, and the flute is the first bird awake, making sure that, with an improvisational solo, nobody stays asleep. One after another, the other creatures of the jungle awaken—moaning and groaning, dangerous animals, crawling things, giant snakes—whatever you imagine. Then, there is a tropical storm, and just like in real life, it comes quickly and hits hard, and before you know it, it’s over. Finally, the rainforest music from the beginning returns, evening settles, and in the dusk, only two clarinets are still awake in a love duet. Finally, peace settles in a dreamy atmosphere of the night. So that’s A Day in the Jungle by Gabriela Lena Frank.

In the second half of the program, you will hear George Frideric Handel’s famous Water Music. Handel represents the high point of English Baroque music, which I find very funny because, originally, he was German. But the English loved Handel, especially when he decided to Anglicize his name to George “Frederick.” Besides his masterwork, the oratorio Messiah, it is his Water Music that is his most familiar composition. The story of Water Music speaks to a very twisted storyline that involves royal bloodlines in Britain. Long story short, when Queen Anne died without leaving an heir, the English crown passed to the House of Hanover. The new king, George I, requested music for a lavish boat trip down the River Thames. It was supposed to be a big party, and the king was known to enjoy music during his outdoor excursions. Handel was asked to compose music for the occasion to entertain the king and his guests. The first performance of Water Music was actually on the water, with the musicians stationed in the middle of the river on a barge. It was a kind of open-air concert experience, and Handel himself, of course, directed the band. There were hundreds of boats on the river. The king loved Handel’s music so much that he demanded it be repeated over and over again.

We will play a selection of movements from the three Water Music suites. All movements are based on dance forms of the day, such as the allemande, the sarabande, or minuets. There is a lot of famous music in these suites, and as expected for party music, the pieces are very joyful and bright, with bold brass sections and spirited dances like the gavotte or the famous hornpipe.

Celebratory and festive, this is one of Handel’s greatest orchestral works and a true Baroque masterpiece.

 

Audiences will enjoy the Classical ‎Series fun and elegant evening surrounded by the Terrace Theater’s dazzling fountains and fire pits, prelude ensemble in the lobby, 6:30 PM Pre-Concert Talk to gain greater knowledge regarding the evening programming, and the ability to “Sip & Enjoy” in the concert hall.  Doors open at 6PM.

Tchaikovsky & Strauss

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In Eckart’s words:

Our third program features two of my favorite composers, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Richard Strauss.

Tchaikovsky didn’t have an easy life. After his failed—actually, disastrous—marriage and subsequent suicide attempt by drowning in the Moscow River, Tchaikovsky’s patron, Nadezhda von Meck, gave the composer money for a holiday. She told him, “Go away, go away from Russia—go to Switzerland and recover your spirits.” And so, he did. On this trip, Tchaikovsky was accompanied by a friend, the violinist Josef Kotek. When they arrived in Switzerland, they had a lot of time to kill, so together, they read through tons of violin music. As a result of this violin immersion, Tchaikovsky decided to write his own violin concerto which he completed in only two weeks. Over time, this Violin Concerto has become one of the great showpieces in the violin repertoire: It has everything—great melodies, technical pyrotechnics, and colorful Russian orchestration—and every time I conduct it, it is a thrill. Our soloist, Tai Murray, has performed all over the world, with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, and the LA Phil, she is a recipient of the Sphinx Organization’s Sphinx Medal of Excellence and is an incredible musician and fantastic violinist.

The second half of the program is going to be fantastic. We will play for you one of the greatest tone poems by Richard Strauss, a work inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ famous novel Don Quixote de la Mancha. Strauss, who was a brilliant orchestrator and able to create phenomenal colors with the orchestra, captures the fantastic adventures of this aging knight-errant and his loyal squire, Sancho Panza. The musical imagery you will hear is quite incredible. The antihero, Don Quixote, is portrayed by a solo cello, performed by our own principal cellist, Cécilia Tsan. Don Quixote’s servant, Sancho Panza, is represented by the solo viola, played by our principal violist, Andrew Duckles. (I have to say, it is always such a pleasure to present our own brilliant musicians as soloists.) The tone poem follows the adventures of this pair, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, with Strauss selecting various episodes from the novel. For instance, there is The Adventure of the Windmills, in which Don Quixote charges what he believes to be giants; The Victorious Battle with the Sheep, where the entire orchestra bleeds like sheep; and The Ride Through the Air, where you can literally hear the wind blowing and howling as Don Quixote flies through the sky. It’s an amazing moment in the piece. Don Quixote’s skewed perception of the world—and the clash of his dreams with reality—gives Strauss an opportunity for wonderful ironic effects. You will hear some of the most graphic program music ever written, some of the funniest as well, and some remarkably touching episodes. At its core, it’s a profoundly human story. The music is a remarkable fusion of humor, pathos, virtuosity, lushness and color, and it remains one of Strauss’s most important contributions to the orchestral repertoire.

And imagine—he was only 34 years old when he wrote this. It’s incredible.

 

Audiences will enjoy the Classical ‎Series fun and elegant evening surrounded by the Terrace Theater’s dazzling fountains and fire pits, prelude ensemble in the lobby, 6:30 PM Pre-Concert Talk to gain greater knowledge regarding the evening programming, and the ability to “Sip & Enjoy” in the concert hall.  Doors open at 6PM.

Beethoven & Beyond

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We open this program with a piece by a Lebanese composer, Houtaf Khoury. He studied in Tripoli, Lebanon, and in Kiev, Ukraine. He has composed five symphonies, several concertos for various instruments, as well as chamber and solo music. What you are about to hear is a touching, beautiful, rich, and honest work called The Journey. It is scored for solo violin and strings. It is a magical work that will feature our concertmaster, Roger Wilkie, on solo violin.

Concerto for Two Pianos displays the genius of Bohuslav Martinů in this vibrant and rhythmically dynamic work that he composed in 1943 during his time in the United States. Often compared to Prokofiev and Bartók for his innovative incorporation of Czech folk elements into his music, his music from this period reflects a combination of his European roots and his exposure to American musical life. The Concerto for Two Pianos is particularly known for its energy and rhythmic complexity, typical of Martinů’s neoclassical style.

Our final work of the evening is Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, his Pastorale Symphony. In contrast to the dramatic and intense Symphony No. 5, which was written around the same time, this symphony is infused with a sense of peace and tranquility: Beethoven loved nature. He often took long walks in the countryside to think, be alone, and find peace. This symphony vividly depicts rural landscapes, shepherds, and the serenity of the countryside. Beethoven gave titles to each movement. For instance, the first movement is called Awakening of Cheerful Feelings Upon Arrival in the Countryside. Then we have the scene By the Brook, Merry Gathering of Country Folk, the famous Thunderstorm, and finally, the Shepherd’s Song. Beethoven masterfully invents themes that evoke the sounds of nature. You can hear bird calls in the woodwinds, the rustling of leaves, the gentle flow of a brook in the strings, and then the thunderstorm, where the entire orchestra is going crazy.

This symphony represents a search for solace in nature. Composed during a time of personal and political turmoil, it reveals a deeply intimate and personal side of Beethoven, as we accompany him on his journey through the countryside.

 

Audiences will enjoy the Classical ‎Series fun and elegant evening surrounded by the Terrace Theater’s dazzling fountains and fire pits, prelude ensemble in the lobby, 6:30 PM Pre-Concert Talk to gain greater knowledge regarding the evening programming, and the ability to “Sip & Enjoy” in the concert hall.  Doors open at 6PM.

Passion & Tragedy

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In Eckart’s words:

Welcome to the new season of Long Beach Symphony!

Our opening concert begins with a work by Haitian American composer Sydney Guillaume. Titled Lavil Okap, or “the city of Cap-Haïtien” in Haitian Creole, the piece was composed in 2020. The music draws inspiration from the African rhythms that enslaved people brought to Haiti, and from the very first notes, it projects a jubilant atmosphere driven by catchy rhythms throughout. He really brings Haitian street music to the concert hall. It’s a piece that is a lot of fun to play, and I know you’ll love listening to it. As a special treat, the composer himself will join us for the performance.

In contrast, our next piece features the mesmerizing music of Frédéric Chopin. We will be performing his Piano Concerto No. 2, welcoming back the brilliant Fei-Fei, who became one of Long Beach’s favorite pianists when she performed Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto in 2018. Chopin wrote mostly piano music—mazurkas, waltzes, polonaises—and very little for piano and orchestra. He was just 19 when he composed this concerto and its premiere at the Warsaw National Theatre marked his first major concert success. The press hailed him as the “Paganini of the piano.” And yet, his music requires “fast fingers,” but it is so much more: he really finds the soul of the piano and his music comes not only virtuosic, but also very intimate and personal–almost fragile at the same time. The most memorable parts, for me, are not the fast, brilliant parts, but the slow and heavenly middle movement. In a letter, he writes that this middle movement was inspired by his love for a fellow student at the conservatoire, a young singer. If music can express love and vulnerability, this is the music.

For the second half of the program, big contrast again, as we end the concert with a bang with Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story Symphonic Dances. Bernstein was not only the greatest American conductor, but also one of the greatest American composers. The piece that earned him his widest popular acclaim is West Side Story. It was written in the 1950s and is a remake of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but this time this tale is a tale of young love against a backdrop of gang warfare in New York City. The music is so fantastic and brilliant. You will recognize a lot of the famous songs and dances, including America, Maria, and the Mambo. The Long Beach Symphony is going to knock it out of the park—and you’ll be part of the performance as well! So warm up your voices, and we’ll see you there!

 

Audiences will enjoy the Classical ‎Series fun and elegant evening surrounded by the Terrace Theater’s dazzling fountains and fire pits, prelude ensemble in the lobby, 6:30 PM Pre-Concert Talk to gain greater knowledge regarding the evening programming, and the ability to “Sip & Enjoy” in the concert hall.  Doors open at 6PM.

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