Symphony season highlights
“Big Names and Big Music” is the theme of the Phoenix Symphony’s 2013-14 season. Here are a few of the diverse offerings. Performances at Symphony Hall unless noted otherwise. Tickets and details: 602-495-1999 or phoenixsymphony.org.
John Williams with Steven Spielberg: The film composer of “Star Wars” and dozens of other films conducts works spanning his long career. Spielberg, a frequent collaborator, conducts a “master class” on the use of music in cinema using scenes from his own films including “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Sept. 28. $500 (lower price ranges sold out).
Lang Lang: The Chinese pianist famed for his impassioned performances and unique interpretations performs Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3. Oct. 24. $29-$119.
The Midtown Men: The original cast of Broadway’s “Jersey Boys” sings ’60s hits by the Four Seasons, the Beach Boys, the Beatles and more. Oct. 25. $29-$89.
Audra McDonald: With her pure, shimmering soprano and intense but nuanced acting, she has won five Tony Awards, most recently for the 2011 Broadway revival of “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess.” In addition to show tunes and operatic arias, she’ll serve up some holiday favorites to make the season bright. Dec. 21 at Mesa Arts Center. $45-$79. 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com.
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5: JoAnn Falletta conducts one of the most famed works in history, along with two less-familiar pieces: George Enescu’s “Rumanian Rhapsody” No. 1 and Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera’s Concerto for Harp and Orchestra with soloist Yolanda Kondonassis. Jan. 10. $18-$83.
Tchaikovsky’s “Variations on a Rococo Theme”: Cello virtuoso Daniel Müller-Schott will work up the fireworks in this performance conducted by former music director Michael Christie. Also on the program: a world-premiere piece commissioned from Australia’s Matthew Hindson. March 28-29. $18-$83.
Mary Chapin Carpenter: The one-of-a-kind country singer performs her songs with orchestral arrangements by the Grammy-winning Vince Mendoza. April 4 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. $39-$59. 480-499-8587, scottsdaleperformingarts.org.
Lemony Snicket’s “The Composer Is Dead”: The author of the delightfully macabre children’s books “A Series of Unfortunate Events” teamed with composer Nathaniel Stookey to create this irreverent introduction to classical music styled as a murder mystery. May 25. $11-$19.
