Past Performances

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

Tchaikovsky
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

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:

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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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