Columbus Symphony concert of the Winter Music Festival pairing works by Shostakovich and Prokofiev, under music director Rossen Milanov.
The Columbus Symphony brings the Winter Music Festival to the Ohio Theatre on January 15 and 16, with the program centered on Shostakovich and Prokofiev. It's part of the orchestra's 2026-27 Masterworks season, which is a big one: the symphony's 75th-anniversary diamond season, led by music director Rossen Milanov. The full season runs 12 dates, and each concert is paired with a 30-minute pre-concert 'Preludes' talk, so if you're not already familiar with the music, you can get a bit of context before the first note. Shostakovich and Prokofiev are two of the most distinct voices of the 20th century, and hearing them together in the same festival gives you a good sense of the era.
Beyond the main stage, the symphony does a lot of work in the community. They reach more than 55,000 students through their Young People's Concerts and run the Columbus Youth Symphony Orchestras, which are four ensembles for students in grades 3 through 12. It's a good reminder that the orchestra isn't just about the big nights at the Ohio Theatre; there's a whole pipeline of young musicians coming up through the city.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Columbus and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
If you're planning to go, keep in mind that the festival runs across two dates, January 15 and 16, at the Ohio Theatre in downtown Columbus. The Shostakovich and Prokofiev focus is the main draw here, and the pre-concert talk is there if you want to walk in with a little more background on the program. It's one of the 12 dates in the symphony's 75th-anniversary season.
