Austin Symphony Orchestra presents Brahms & the Nordic Masterpiece

The Austin Symphony Orchestra opens its 2026-2027 season at The Long Center with Brahms & the Nordic Masterpiece, a program that pairs two heavyweights of the orchestral repertoire. The concerts run Friday, September 11, at 8 PM and Sunday, September 13, at 2 PM, both in Dell Hall.

Violinist Geneva Lewis takes the spotlight for the first half, performing Brahms' Violin Concerto. It's one of the most demanding works in the violin repertoire, known for its sweeping melodies and the way it pits the soloist against the full weight of the orchestra. The second half shifts to the Nordic side of the bill: Sibelius' Fifth Symphony, a piece that captures the stark, atmospheric landscapes of Finland and builds toward a massive, driving finale. Conductor Peter Bay is on the podium for both.

There's a bit more to these performances than just the program. This is the start of the orchestra's new season, and it also marks the beginning of Peter Bay's farewell season with the Austin Symphony, so it's one of the first chances to catch him leading the ensemble before he moves on. The two dates give you a choice between a Friday night out and a Sunday matinee, and since they're the same program, you can pick whichever fits your weekend better.

Both shows are in Dell Hall, the Long Center's largest room, which seats 2,442. It was acoustically designed to eliminate dead zones, with movable banners and curtains that let the staff tune the room for each performance. The Long Center opened in 2008 on the site of the former Palmer Auditorium, and it was built in part with reclaimed materials from that building. Today it serves as home to the Austin Symphony, Ballet Austin, and Austin Opera. The concerts are Friday, September 11, at 8 PM and Sunday, September 13, at 2 PM.