2024-2025 Performances
Dawn Wolski, soprano soloist
October 14, 2024, 7:30 pm
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Dvořák
Symphony No. 9 From the New World
Virtuoso French Songs and Arias
Itamar Zorman, violin soloist
November 25, 2024, 7:30 pm
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Rimsky-Korsakov
Capriccio Espagnol
Tchaikovsky
Francesca da Rimini
Paganini
Violin Concerto No. 1
Steven Isserlis, cello soloist
February 18, 2025, 7:30 pm
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Beethoven
Egmont Overture
Mendelssohn
Symphony No. 4 Italian
Saint-Saëns
Cello Concertos 1 & 2
2023-2024 Performances
Simone Dinnerstein, piano soloist
October 2, 2023, 7:30 pm
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Schubert
Symphony No. 4 in C Minor, D 417 The Tragic
Brahms
Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83
Dinnerstein is an artist of strikingly original ideas and irrefutable integrity. These attributes, combined with elegance and grace, lend her music-making its captivating beauty.
-The Washington Post
Young Artists Competition Winners
December 4, 2023, 7:30 pm
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Grieg
Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16
Saint-Saëns
Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op.33
Wieniawski
Violin Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op.22
Berlioz
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14
Winners:
Ritchie Fu, piano soloist
Cole Merrill, violin soloist
Ray Womack, cello soloist
Kyung Sun Lee, violin soloist
March 4, 2024, 7:30 pm
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Rossini
Overture to La Gazza Ladra
Wagner
Overture to Rienzi
Tchaikovsky
March Slav, Op. 31
Prokofiev
Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63
Exceptional tonal suavity and expressive intensity in equal measure.– The Strad
Pepe Romero, guitar soloist
April 29, 2024, 7:30 pm
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Rachmaninoff
Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 44
Rodrigo
Concierto de Aranjuez
Playing to a packed house, Romero showed why he's one of the great guitarists of our time: He marries complete virtuosity and exceptional refinement, all in the service of music that he feels as deeply as anyone alive. -The Washington Post
2022-2023 Performances
October 17, 2022, 7:30 pm
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Earecka Tregenza Moody, harp soloist
Jason Moody, violin soloist
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
ProgramTchaikovsky
Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 Pathetique
Debussy
Danse Sacrée et Danse Profane for Harp and Orchestra
Ravel
Tzigane, Concert Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra
[Moody played with] … assured technique and expressive musicianship…highly intelligent, beautifully musical performance. – Spokesman Review
December 5, 2022, 7:30 pm
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Shlomo Mintz, violin soloist
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program
CoplandFanfare for the Common Man
Verdi
Triumphal March and Ballet from Aïda
Dvořák
Carnival Overture, Op. 92
Sibelius
Violin Concerto in D Minor
Those fortunate persons who attended the concert had the singular occasion to listen to one of the greatest violinists of these days. – La Nacion, Buenos Aires
March 6, 2023, 7:30 pm
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Archie Chen, piano soloist
Unfortunately, Richard Goode will be unable to perform with the GSO due to illness. We are so grateful that the fantastic pianist and Spokane native, Archie Chen, has agreed to step in and perform the monumental Mozart Piano Concerto in D Minor on a moment's notice!
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances, Op. 45Mozart
Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K 466
May 1, 2023, 7:30 pm
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Pascal Rogé, piano soloist
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Berlioz
Hungarian March from
The Damnation of Faust
Saint-Saëns
Danse Macabre, Op. 40
Dukas
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Ravel
Piano Concerto in G Major
…a pianist whose Ravel is of the highest distinction. Pascal Rogé enters Ravel’s dream-world with a special musical grace. –Gramophone Magazine
2021-2022 Performances
Shuying Li, composer
Bruce Bodden, flute soloist
Chip Phillips, clarinet soloist
"[Shuying Li]...a real talent here waiting to emerge 'with' skillful orchestral writing, very colorful language and huge waves of sound." — Seattle Times
Event Details:
October 18, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55 Eroica
Li: The Dryad for Flute and Orchestra
Li: American Variations for Clarinet and Orchestra
Media:
Visit our Media page to download a promotional poster
Winners of the Concerto/Aria Competition
Event Details:
December 6, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Op. 35
Alon Goldstein, Piano Soloist
"This young artist has style, smarts and technique…he created a stillness around himself that was so long and imposing in its defiance of expectations that your ear had to be glued to everything that came after.... extremely cultivated, refined command of the keyboard” --- Philadelphia Inquirer
Event Details:
February 28, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Copland: Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo Suite
Gershwin: An American in Paris
Márquez: Danzón No. 2
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 1
Gary Hoffman, cello soloist
“I have seldom heard anyone approach the extent to which Hoffman brought out the poetry of this masterpiece.” — Classical Voice of North Carolina
Event Details:
April 25, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite
Bloch: Schelomo; Hebraic Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra
Schumann: Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129
2019-2020 Past Performances
Gary Karr, Double Bass Soloist
"The world’s leading solo bassist." — Time Magazine
Event Details:
October 14, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70
Dragonetti: Double Bass Concerto in A Major
Bottesini: Fantasia La Sonnambula
Media:
Visit our Media page to download a promotional poster
Brannon Cho, Cello Soloist
"Brannon Cho presented purity and ruthless technical skill.” — Kuovola Sanomat
Event Details:
November 25, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
J Strauss Jr: Overture to Die Fledermaus
Smetana: Three Dances from The Bartered Bride
Shostakovich: Festive Overture
Prokofiev: Symphonie Concertante for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 125
Media:
Visit our Media page to download a promotional poster
Midori, Violin Soloist
"Midori is a violin superstar. The audience love her not only for her technical brilliance and flawless playing, but also her personality… A great concert." — Die Rheinpfalz
Event Details:
February 13, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 13 Winter Dreams
Schumann: Violin Concerto in D Minor, WoO 23
Media:
Visit our Media page to download a promotional poster
Pascal Rogé, Piano Soloist
“Pascal Rogé offers a compelling, full-bloodied account of this sinister work [Ravel Concerto for the Left Hand] that is highly compelling… a pianist whose Ravel [G Major Concerto] is of the highest distinction. Pascal Rogé enters Ravel’s dream-world with a special musical grace.” — Gramophone
Event Details:
April 27, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Op. 35
Ravel: Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major
Media:
Visit our Media page to download a promotional poster
Young Artists’ Concerto/Aria Competition Winners
Event Details:
April 29, 2019
The NEW Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
on the campus of Gonzaga University
211 E DeSmet Ave., Near the Jundt Art Museum
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Beethoven: Overture to the Consecration of the House, Op. 124
Chausson: La Nuit
Rachael Gowen, soprano soloist
Katrina Baber, mezzo-soprano soloist
Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, K. 216; Allegro
Rylan Virnig, violin soloist
Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Overture, Op. 36
Respighi: Pines of Rome
Beethoven Triple Concerto!
Event Details:
March 4, 2019
Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Denise Dillenbeck, violin soloist
Kevin Hekmatpanah, cello soloist
John Pickett, piano soloist
Nikolas Caoile, guest conductor
Program:
Schumann: Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op. 61
Beethoven: Triple Concerto in C Major, Op. 56
Media:
Visit our Media page to download a promotional poster
Shlomo Mintz, Violin Soloist
Those fortunate persons who attended the concert had the singular occasion to listen to one of the greatest violinists of these days. — La Nacion, Buenos Aires
Event Details:
October 15, 2018
Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 36
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64
Media:
Visit our Media page to download a promotional poster
Gonzaga’s Music Department is proud to present a violin masterclass featuring world-renowned violin legend Shlomo Mintz. This is an opportunity to learn from one of the great masters of the instrument. The masterclass is free and open to the public. Learn more.
Lynn Harrell, Cello Soloist
The audience rewarded him with the cheers reserved for heroes…and he deserved it. — New York Times
Event Details:
December 3, 2018
Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90
Elgar: Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85
The GSO thanks the Gonzaga Speaker Series for helping support the performance of Lynn Harrell.
Media:
Visit our Media page to download a promotional poster
Gary Karr, Double Bass Soloist
The world’s leading solo bassist. — Time Magazine
Event Details:
April 30, 2018
Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme Enigma, Op. 36
Marriott: Klezmorim Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra
Bottesini: Reverie and Tarantella for Double Bass and Orchestra
Pascal Rogé, Piano Soloist
… the rarely-performed Fifth Piano Concerto, called ‘Egyptian', by Camille Saint-Saëns. Its main protagonist Pascal Rogé met his task with absolute surety and striking personal input. He engaged the audience mainly with his colourful range of attacks and the detailed elaboration of his overall conception, but the acoustical balance and precision in ensemble playing between the piano and the orchestra also deserve recognition. — Deniky Bohemia
Event Details:
February 26, 2018
Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Schumann: Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 120
Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major, Op. 103 The Egyptian
Itamar Zorman, Violin Soloist
It looks like the succession to Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman and Shlomo Mintz is guaranteed…The inevitability with which Zorman heads for the climaxes shows artistic mastery. — Morganweb.de
Event Details:
December 4, 2017
Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92
Dvořák: Violin Concerto in A Major, Op. 53
Lynn Harrell, Cello Soloist
The audience rewarded him with the cheers reserved for heroes…and he deserved it. — New York Times
Event Details:
October 16, 2017
Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Hekmatpanah, conductor
Program:
Dvořák: Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88
Lalo: Cello Concerto in D Minor