SIGNATURE SERIES I: ECHOES OF THE EARTH
Jennifer Higdon Cello Concerto with cellist Julian Schwarz
October 2-3, 2026 at 7:30 PM at Maryland Hall
Tickets start at $25
Antonín Dvořák In Nature’s Realm, Op. 91
Jennifer HigdonCello Concerto with Julian Schwarz, cello
Manuel de Falla El sombrero de tres picos (The Three-Cornered Hat)
This concert is approximately 2 hours in length, with a 20 minute intermission.
MUSIC PROGRAM
Dvořák’s In Nature’s Realm unfolds from a hushed orchestral murmur into a glowing soundscape inspired by the forests and meadows of the composer’s Bohemian homeland — music of warmth, lyricism, and quiet wonder. While not the best known of Dvořák’s works, In Nature’s Realm showcases great rhythm and melodies, a thrilling experience for our musicians and the audience.
At the center of the performance is Jennifer Higdon’s new Cello Concerto, written for and performed by acclaimed cellist Julian Schwarz in his third appearance with the ASO. Structured in four movements — Poet, Dances, Fervent, and Lines — the concerto showcases Higdon’s unmistakable voice: rhythmically alive, emotionally direct, and vividly orchestral. Schwarz’s focused intensity and expressive range bring this powerful modern work into sharp, compelling focus.
The concert closes with the complete ballet music from Manuel de Falla’s El sombrero de tres picos (The Three-Cornered Hat), a burst of Spanish energy and wit. Folk dances, flamenco fire, and festive celebration drive this exuberant finale, sending the ASO’s 2026-27 season off to an irresistible, joy-filled start.
Photo credit “A rare glow visits Maryland” by Jennifer Casey
TICKETING
Tickets start at $25. Check the online seating chart to select $25 seats.
Single tickets for this performance will be available for sale beginning August 1, 2026.
Signature Series Subscribers can use their 20% off discount to save on additional tickets to this concert. Please purchase tickets through your Patron Portal starting August 1, 2026. The discount will be automatically applied.
Student tickets to this performance are $15. Military, Law Enforcement, and First Responder ticket discounts are also available. Please call the Box Office at 410-263-0907 to redeem these discounts starting August 1, 2026.
THANK YOU
This performance is made possible in part with the support of the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC.org) and Arts Council of Anne Arundel County (ACAAC.org).