Connecticut Symphony Orchestra

04/14/2026

CSO violinist Gaylien Chun will perform a piano recital, "Watermusic," to benefit the Connecticut Symphony Orchestra this Thursday. The concert is free and open to the public.

Date: April 16, 2:00pm
Location: McLean Retirement Center, 75 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT

Gaylien Chun is a former staff pianist and coordinator of accompanying at the University of Hartford's Hartt School. She has also been affiliated with the Connecticut Opera, the Manchester Chorale, and the University of Connecticut in Storrs. She spent a year teaching and performing at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. As a collaborative pianist, Ms. Chun has performed in numerous recitals and competitions with singers and instrumentalists. She has appeared as a soloist with the Hartt Symphony, the Connecticut String Orchestra, and the Connecticut Valley Chamber Orchestra.

04/13/2026

Birdies for Charity is back, and we're excited to share Connecticut Symphony Orchestra is participating in the 2026 program!

Every donation scores us a 15% bonus, thanks to the generosity of Webster Bank and Aetna. That means your donation goes even further in helping us.

The mission of the Connecticut Symphony Orchestra is to provide opportunities for advanced musicians and emerging professionals to perform a high level of repertoire while engaging and collaborating with diverse communities in mutual growth through the joy of making music.

Make a 115% difference today by donating at: https://app.partnerhq.com/public/e/2026-travelers-championship-birdies-for-charity/f/nonprofits/165

04/13/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to our show "Of Eternity" on Saturday! We appreciate you spending your evening with us.

[Photo credit: Audience member Saraswathi Bellur]

04/10/2026

Last night we had our final dress rehearsal for our April concert, which is now just one day away. We played through Bruckner's 4th symphony in full, which clocks in at just over one hour in length.

However, the version you will hear tomorrow night is just one of several revisions that Bruckner made to the piece. Scholars recognize three major versions of the symphony, of which we are performing the second (1880) version.

There is still time to buy your tickets in advance: https://connecticutsymphony.org/buy-tickets

04/08/2026

Behind the scenes at rehearsal last night: Practicing the first movement of Buckner's 4th Symphony. Hear the whole thing in just 3 days from now. Get your tickets in advance at: https://connecticutsymphony.org/buy-tickets

04/07/2026

Four days until our concert, and another insight about Bruckner's 4th Symphony.

What will you hear in this piece? Most notably, our powerhouse brass section. Booming entrances, big melodies, full sound. From the strings, long sections of suspenseful tremolo to complement the horns, between breaks for their own sectional solos. The woodwinds feature emotional melodies, especially in the slower second movement. Finally, the percussion keeps everyone together in Bruckner's 3+2 or 2+3 melodies, repeated throughout all four movements.

Catch these sounds and much more on Saturday, 4/11, 7:30pm, at East Catholic High School in Manchester, Connecticut.

04/06/2026

We are just 5 days away from our next concert, featuring Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 4. To count down, we are sharing one fact about the symphony each day this week.

Bruckner's 4th symphony, nicknamed the "Romantic" symphony, is one of the composer's most famous works. It premiered in Vienna in 1881, at the height of the Romantic era, which is known for dramatic and emotional works in literature, art, and music. Musical themes of this era broke away from the more rigid and traditional ideas of the prior Classical era.

Bruckner embraced the symphony's nickname, which are highlighted by the work's length -- over an hour long -- and its grand emotional gestures. Because of this, it remains one of his most frequently performed works.

CSO is thrilled to add to the history of this symphony's performances, and we hope you join us to see it. Get your tickets at: https://connecticutsymphony.org/buy-tickets

[Image: Anton Bruckner’s monument in Vienna; Credit: interlude.hk]

03/27/2026

Spring is here, and we're grateful for our season sponsors who help us with our spring cleaning, tune-ups, and touch-ups!

03/24/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗢𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁

The Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Paul McShee, will be in concert on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. The performance will take place at East Catholic High School, 115 New State Rd., Manchester, CT.

Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major, “Romantic,” by Austrian composer, Anton Brucker will be on the program. Bruckner, an organist, composed some of the most complex and monumental works of the Romantic era, characterized by their massive orchestration, intricate harmonies, and soaring melodies. The CSO brass section will be featured in this, one of Bruckner’s most beloved symphonies.

Please note the new location and visit connecticutsymphony.org for tickets, details, and directions.

03/01/2026

Many thanks to yet another generous sponsor of our 2025-26 season: Hulme & Sweeney Piano Service. We are grateful for your support of our musical mission.

07/14/2025

Sneak peek: Our 2025-2026 concert season is listed on our website! Check out the details:

Jun 8 American Vistas Sunday, June 8, 2025 3:00 PM 4:30 PM Congregation Beth Israel (map) Google Calendar ICS AMERICAN VISTASSunday, June 8, 2025 / 3:00 PMCongregation Beth Israel701 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06119PAUL MCSHEE, Music DirectorLEONARD BERNSTEIN - Overture to CandideNEVA DER...