The GSO Anniversary Concert features three musical selections, each chosen for a particular purpose.  The first selection is a new work by Robert Patterson, commissioned by the GSO for this anniversary, entitled Ascent. It is designed as a musical celebration of the GSO.  A student of George Crumb and Don Freund, he is a resident composer with the Luna Nova Ensemble.  Patterson is a member of the horn section of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. 

The second selection is Finlandia by Jan Sibelius.  This work is familiar to almost every symphony musician.  A curious influx of musicians will appear on the stage for this piece.  They are former members of the GSO who have moved or experienced changes in their lives, invited to return to the GSO for this one piece.  

​The concert will conclude with Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 by Johannes Brahms.  The composer required 21 years to complete his first symphony, but it is a grand achievement.  From the turbulent first movement, the gently lyrical second movement, and the charming third movement, the symphony concludes with a grand melodic finale in C major.  Although Brahms avoided programmatic references in his symphonies, it is difficult to avoid hearing this noble progression from struggle to triumphant resolution; a fitting analogy to the history and the prospects of the Germantown Symphony Orchestra.

Join us as we celebrate 50 years of the Germantown Symphony Orchestra!