08/25/2026
Panama City Symphony’s 31st Season is titled “Horizons: A Season of Discovery.” One composer, Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), fits this theme beautifully. This season falls in the 200th anniversary year of his death, and we're performing his music on three of our concerts. The first notes you'll hear this season are Beethoven's, and so are the last.
Beethoven is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest composers in history; almost single-handedly he elevated the whole concept of instrumental music, demonstrating that a major instrumental work could be regarded as high art, on par with great paintings or epic poetry, designed for posterity—a concept previously unrecognized but still prevalent today. Beethoven's originality, the sophistication of his composing techniques, and the variety and profundity of his emotion form a combination virtually unmatched by any other composer.
Our very first piece on opening night at the Barbara W. Nelson Fine Arts Center on September 19, is “The Egmont Overture” by Beethoven. On January 30, 2027, the Symphony will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica,” at St. Andrew Baptist Church. Beethoven also excelled in vocal composition, even blending voices with an instrumental genre in his Ninth Symphony. Our Season Finale on April 10, 2027, will crescendo in a majestic performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, "Ode to Joy."
We welcome you to join us at our exciting upcoming 31st Season. For more information, visit www.panamacitysymphony.org.
