Join us for our 84th Season! Beethoven's timeless masterworks are joined by new classics from contemporary composers George Walker, Anna Clyne, Dobrinka Tabakova, Jessie Montgomery, and more.

Our season begins in September with the most famous four notes in music – Beethoven's powerful, gripping Fifth Symphony. Throughout our 84th Season, Joseph Giunta and the Orchestra will perform Beethoven’s joyful anthem for humanity, his Ninth Symphony, along with his Leonore Overture No. 3, his only Violin Concerto, his First and Third Piano Concertos, and more. 

"Beethoven’s influence continues to this day, affecting how we write, interpret, listen to, and perform music. His creative genius composed some of the most thrilling, dazzling and groundbreaking music ever; it cast a magic spell over his audiences and generated unprecedented emotional responses. Simply put, his music is timeless.”

Joseph Giunta, Music Director & Conductor

2021-2022 MASTERWORKS SEASON

  • SEASON DEBUT: BEETHOVEN'S FIFTH Season Debut! The most famous four notes in music – plus, pianist Awadagin Pratt plays Florence Price (Sep 25 & 26, 2021)
  • TCHAIKOVSKY'S FOURTH Symphony Principals Jonathan and Julie Sturm feature in Beethoven’s “Triple” Concerto, plus Walker’s Lyric for Strings and Tchiakovsky’s dramatic Fourth Symphony (Oct 23 & 24, 2021)
  • BEETHOVEN’S VIOLIN CONCERTO The noble grandeur of Sibelius 7, plus – Paul Huang joins the Symphony for Beethoven’s transcendent Violin Concerto in D Major (Nov 20 & 21, 2021)
  • IMMORTAL BELOVED Natasha Paremski plays Rachmaninoff’s thrilling, grand Third Piano Concerto in a passionate concert inspired by Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved” letters (Jan 29 & 30, 2022)
  • BEETHOVEN & SHOSTAKOVICH Jahja Ling leads the Orchestra in Shostakovich’s dramatic Fifth Symphony, plus rising star Janice Carissa plays Beethoven’s turbulent, tender Third Piano Concerto (Mar 19 & 20, 2022)
  • BEETHOVEN’S NINTH Joseph Giunta and the Orchestra are joined by a soaring choir in Beethoven’s joyful anthem for humanity (Apr 9 & 10, 2022)
  • SEASON FINALE: PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION Season Finale! Experience the romantic thrill of Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto and the splendor of Pictures at an Exhibition (May 7 & 8, 2022)

2021-2022 POPS CONCERTS

  • REVOLUTION: THE MUSIC OF THE BEATLES – A SYMPHONIC EXPERIENCE Accompanied by hundreds of rare and unseen photos along with stunning video and animation, Revolution will take you on a magical journey featuring more than 25 top hits like “Ticket to Ride,” “Penny Lane,” “All You Need is Love,” “Get Back,” “Hey, Jude,” and much more. (Oct 9, 2021) Rescheduled from the 2020-21 Season. All previously issued tickets will be valid. 
  • NEW YEAR’S EVE POPS: THE MUSIC OF ELTON JOHN STARRING MICHAEL CAVANAUGH Grammy and Tony-nominated Broadway star Michael Cavanaugh and his band join the Des Moines Symphony for a high-energy celebration that will have you singing along to classic hits and rock favorites. Ring in the New Year with the Des Moines Symphony and the music of Elton John! (Dec 31, 2021) Rescheduled from the 2020-21 Season. All previously issued tickets will be valid.
  • BERNADETTE PETERS IN CONCERT One night only! Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage and television, in concert, and on recordings. She has received countless accolades throughout her distinctive career, from Tony Awards to a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Don’t miss this unique chance to hear songs from Broadway and beyond delivered in Peters’s unique and inimitable style – live with the Des Moines Symphony. (Apr 30, 2022) Rescheduled from the 2019-20 Season. All previously issued tickets will be valid. Presented in Collaboration with Des Moines Performing Arts

RESCHEDULED CONCERTS

  • CARMINA BURANA Spellbinding, hypnotic and heart-pounding, Carmina Burana simply must be experienced live. Hear this choral masterwork like never before as the Des Moines Symphony is joined onstage by 200 voices – but first, hear Beethoven’s ebullient Eighth Symphony. (Jan 8 & 9, 2022) Rescheduled from the 2019-20 Season. All previously issued tickets will be valid. 

HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS

The health and safety of our musicians, audiences, and staff is our top priority. We are developing a detailed plan for a safe return to the Civic Center which includes extensive mitigation measures for both audiences and musicians. 

We anticipate that our health and safety protocols will evolve throughout the season as the CDC’s guidelines for indoor gatherings are updated. Ticket holders should expect an email detailing specific protocols for entering Des Moines Performing Arts venues closer to the date of their performance(s).

Click here for the latest details.

Preview the season with our Spotify playlist!

Listen Now