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Concerts & Events

2013-2014 SEASON

We invite you to experience the Des Moines Symphony live during our 2013-2014 Season and Joseph Giunta‘s 25th Season as Music Director & Conductor. View the 2013-2014 Season here or download our Season Brochure here.

Order your Season Ticket Packages in one of four easy ways:

  • Order online
  • Call us at 515.280.4004
  • In person at the Civic Center Ticket Office, 221 Walnut Street (9a-5p, Monday through Friday and two hours before any concert)
  • Fill out this order form and mail it with your payment to Des Moines Symphony, 1011 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

RENEW OR PURCHASE A SEASON TICKET PACKAGE BY MAY 31 and receive the following Early-Bird benefits:

  • Save up to $35 on single ticket prices
  • We pay your Civic Center handling fees for you – a savings to you of $10 per subscription package!
  • Receive a complimentary drink voucher with each subscription purchased
  • Full-season Masterworks subscribers will receive a free ticket voucher for a Masterworks concert of your choice, which you can use to invite a friend to share an evening of great music

Choose between the following Season Ticket Packages:

  • Saturday Masterworks: Timeless masterpieces and world-renowned guest artists in seven Classical concerts at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays (Sep 14, Oct 19, Nov 16, Feb 15, Mar 15, Apr 12, May 10)
  • Sunday Masterworks: Timeless masterpieces and world-renowned guest artists in seven Classical concerts at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays (Sep 15, Oct 20, Nov 17, Feb 16, Mar 16, Apr 13, May 11)
  • Flex Plan: Compose your own season with the flexibility you need to fit your schedule with a Flex Plan – four tickets to use any way you’d like on Saturdays or Sundays — all four in one concert, one ticket at four different concerts, or two at two different concerts — the choice is up to you!
  • Student Subscriptions: Please note that we will need to verify you are a student if you order a student subscription online.

2012-2013 SEASON

Join us for the remaining concerts of our exciting 75th Anniversary Season:

 

2013-2014 Season

Masterworks 1: Season Debut – From Russia With Ilya

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Performance Information:

  • Sat Sep 14, 2013 – 7:30pm
  • Sun Sep 15, 2013 – 2:30pm

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Location: Civic Center (221 Walnut Street in Downtown Des Moines)

Description:

Joseph Giunta, conducting
Ilya Yakushev, piano

GLINKA     Overture to Russlan & Ludmilla
PROKOFIEV     Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major
RACHMANINOFF     Symphony No. 2 in E Minor

Joseph Giunta begins his 25th Anniversary Season with an all-Russian program, inviting back unforgettable Russian pianist Ilya Yakushev, winner of the World Piano Competition and recipient of the Gawon International Music Society Award. Plus, Giunta conducts his favorite post-romantic symphony, Rachmaninoff’s sweeping and majestic Symphony No. 2 – a concert filled with beauty, passion and orchestral virtuosity.

Masterworks 2: Scottish Fantasy & Rosenkavalier

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Performance Information:

  • Sat Oct 19, 2013 – 7:30pm
  • Sun Oct 20, 2013 – 2:30pm

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Location: Civic Center (221 Walnut Street in Downtown Des Moines)

Description:

Joseph Giunta, conducting
Fumiaki Miura, violin

WAGNER     Overture to Rienzi
BRUCH     Scottish Fantasy
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS     Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
R. STRAUSS     Suite from Der Rosenkavalier

Joseph Giunta has engaged Japanese violinist Fumiaki Miura, winner of the International Joseph Joachim Violin Competition, to make his Des Moines Symphony debut in Bruch’s robust Scottish Fantasy. The program concludes with music from Der Rosenkavalier, one of the most beloved of all operas gilded with moving melodies and lush orchestrations.

Masterworks 3: Beyond the Score – The Planets – Other Worlds?

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Performance Information:

  • Sat Nov 16, 2013 – 7:30pm
  • Sun Nov 17, 2013 – 2:30pm

Purchase Season Tickets  

Location: Civic Center (221 Walnut Street in Downtown Des Moines)

Description:

Joseph Giunta, conducting

Beyond the Score – In Collaboration with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Beyond the Score:
Gerard McBurney, Creative Director
Martha Gilmer, Executive Producer

HOLST     The Planets

Join us for our fourth collaboration with the Chicago Symphony in this special BEYOND THE SCORE presentation, and experience The Planets like never before! Drawing inspiration from Greece, India and even astrology and theosophy, this is a must-hear-it-live work that explores planets of the solar system and their corresponding astrological characters. Discover how Mars, Jupiter and all the planets have been set in one of the most stunning pieces of music ever composed. After an intriguing and revealing multimedia first half – with stunning visuals on a giant screen, actors and a narrator – you’ll hear this epic work in full, highlighting the dynamic range and full symphonic spectrum of your Des Moines Symphony Orchestra. This concert is presented by the Gabus Family Foundation.

New Year’s Eve Pops: The Hit Men – The Real ‘Jersey Boys’

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Performance Information:

  • Tue Dec 31, 2013 – 8pm

Purchase Season Tickets  

Location: Civic Center (221 Walnut Street in Downtown Des Moines)

Description:

Joseph Giunta, conducting
with The Hit Men featuring Original Stars of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

The Des Moines Symphony’s New Year’s Eve Pops concerts at the Civic Center have become Central Iowa’s signature tradition, with sold-out concerts year after year and standing ovations for the Des Moines Symphony! This year, plan early and ring in 2014 with The Hit Men, featuring members of the original Four Seasons, Tommy James and the Shondells and more! You’ll sing the night away with the original hit makers of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s performing classic songs the way you first heard them – with rich, full orchestrations on those original multi-platinum studio recordings. Experience hits like December 1963 (Oh, What A Night), Who Loves You, Walk Like A Man, Mony Mony and so much more, performed live with lush and nostalgic harmonies. Since the resurgence of their national tour in 2012, The Hit Men has been described as “exceptional” and “incredible.” You won’t want to miss this “Night of Hits” at the Civic Center! This concert is presented by EMC Insurance Companies.

Masterworks 4: Romantic Rhapsody In Blue – The Gershwin Experience

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Performance Information:

  • Sat Feb 15, 2014 – 7:30pm
  • Sun Feb 16, 2014 – 2:30pm

Purchase Season Tickets  

Location: Civic Center (221 Walnut Street in Downtown Des Moines)

Description:

Joseph Giunta, conducting

Celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend with the iconic American music of George Gershwin! In this special concert event, his greatest music including Rhapsody In Blue, Love Is Here To Stay, Summertime and I Got Rhythm, come to life like never before. Singing and pianistic virtuosity highlight the program which also includes rarely-seen footage of the famous Gershwin family, broadcast on a giant screen above the stage, telling the story of brothers George and Ira Gershwin and the music that continues to delight audiences for generations later. This will be an unforgettable Valentine’s weekend concert event you won’t want to miss! This concert is presented by The Ruan Family and Bankers Trust.

Masterworks 5: The Moldau & Dvorak

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Performance Information:

  • Sat Mar 15, 2014 – 7:30pm
  • Sun Mar 16, 2014 – 2:30pm

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Location: Civic Center (221 Walnut Street in Downtown Des Moines)

Description:

Joseph Giunta, conducting
Aaron Williams, marimba

SMETANA     The Moldau from Ma Vlast (My Fatherland)
David GILLINGHAM     Marimba Concerto No. 2
DVORÁK     Symphony No. 8 in G Major

The sunny, lyrical Eighth Symphony of Dvo˘rák was one of the first orchestral pieces Joseph Giunta heard live as a child. “It smiles from beginning to end with melody and nostalgia,” he says. He opens the concert with one of his favorite pieces, The Mauldau, and principal percussionist Aaron Williams makes his solo debut with the Orchestra in Gillingham’s virtuosic and tuneful Marimba Concerto No. 2.

Masterworks 6: Giunta Conducts Beethoven: ‘Eroica’

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Performance Information:

  • Sat Apr 12, 2014 – 7:30pm
  • Sun Apr 13, 2014 – 2:30pm

Purchase Season Tickets  

Location: Civic Center (221 Walnut Street in Downtown Des Moines)

Description:

Joseph Giunta, conducting
Bella Hristova, violin

BARBER     The School for Scandal Overture
BEETHOVEN     Violin Concerto in D Major
BEETHOVEN     Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major “Eroica”

Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony is one of the greatest symphonies of all time. With its emotional depth, heroic vigor and a new, modern structure and sound, it essentially redefined what a symphony could be. Plus, Bella Hristova, described as possessing “commanding stage presence” and “expressive nuance,” makes her much anticipated debut with the Des Moines Symphony in Beethoven’s lyrical Violin Concerto.

Masterworks 7: Season Finale – Brahms 1 & Grosvenor Plays Saint-Saens

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Performance Information:

  • Sat May 10, 2014 – 7:30pm
  • Sun May 11, 2014 – 2:30pm

Purchase Season Tickets  

Location: Civic Center (221 Walnut Street in Downtown Des Moines)

Description:

Joseph Giunta, conducting
Benjamin Grosvenor, piano

BERLIOZ     Roman Carnival Overture
DEBUSSY     Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (Afternoon of a Faun)
SAINT-SAËNS     Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor
BRAHMS     Symphony No. 1 in C Minor

At just 20 years old, pianist Benjamin Grosvenor has already electrified the music world with his spell-binding performances. In 2011, The Daily Telegraph named him one of the “Top 10 Britons of the Year,” and he became Gramophone’s youngest ever double-award winner. He makes his Des Moines Symphony debut with Saint- Saëns’ exquisite G Minor Concerto, a glistening, energetic work with no “slow” movement. That, and Joseph Giunta concludes his 25th Anniversary Season with his favorite Brahms symphony.

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Plan Your Visit

We’re excited to have you join us and experience the music… LIVE! 
Our performances are held at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines.


The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
221 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-2300

If you’re visiting Des Moines for the first time, please visit SeeDesMoines for great places to stay and dine. We especially recommend staying at the Renaissance Savery Hotel and dining at BOS, Splash, or in the Court Avenue District — all are within walking-distance of the Civic Center.

New to a live classical music concert? This next part is for you!

What is classical music?

The term “classical music” can mean anything from a Bach concerto to a Brahms Rhapsody. Basically, classical music is played by a symphony orchestra comprised of string instruments (violins, violas, cellos and basses), woodwinds (flutes, oboes, clarinets bassoons), brass (trumpets, trombones, tubas and French horns) and percussion (drums, bells and xylophones).

What should I wear?

Attending a concert at the Civic Center is always a special occasion; therefore most symphony-goers enjoy dressing up a bit. However, contrary to what most people think, you don’t have to wear tuxedos and evening gowns to enjoy a Des Moines Symphony concert! In fact, most patrons only wear formal attire to our New Year’s Eve pops performance.

At other concerts, business casual or business formal dress is perfectly acceptable.

When should I arrive?

Maestro Joseph Giunta and the Des Moines Symphony pride themselves on starting concerts on time, so it’s a good idea to arrive slightly early to find your proper seat. Late arrivers will be seated by Civic Center ushers at designated times throughout the performance or during intermission. If you have to leave a concert before its end, please do so between program works.

How long is a typical performance?

Generally, Des Moines Symphony performances last about two hours, including intermission. You can always call us at 280-4000 for an estimated length.

When do I clap?

It is considered proper concert etiquette to clap after a piece is complete. This means that if you’re listening to a work with four movements, it’s appropriate to clap after the last movement. Usually, there is a 15-to 30-second pause in between movements. To find out the number of movements in a piece, turn to the program page in your program magazine. After the last movement, clap to your heart’s content. (Or you can always wait for the rest of the audience to clap before applauding!)

What about other noises-coughing, cell phones and pagers?

Coughing is an unavoidable problem. Civic Center ushers have lozenges for your use during the performance in case an unexpected coughing attack occurs. If you find you can’t stop coughing, there’s nothing wrong with excusing yourself from the performance for the rest of the movement. Telephone and paging equipment should be turned off or silenced prior to entering the Civic Center. Patrons wearing alarm watches should turn them off before the concert begins. Following these rules of thumb helps you be sensitive to your neighbors and allows everyone a more pleasant concert experience.

Can I take pictures?

Cameras and other recording devises in the Civic Center can create distractions for our musicians and fellow audience members around you. As a result, no still, video or tape recorders are permitted.

Will I enjoy the concert?

Of course! You will be surprised to see how much of the performance is familiar to you-whether you’ve heard the music in TV commercials, movies, or from popular music that is based on classical works. Plus, you’ll be introduced to music that may be new to you…music that will take your breath away. Each Des Moines Symphony concert offers something for everyone; you may not love every piece that is performed, but we guarantee each concert experience will be one you’ll never forget!

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