The University Symphony Orchestra launches its new season of magical and magnificent music, led by USO Music Director and GRAMMY nominee, Kenneth Kiesler. The evening’s “Music of the Dance” is set in motion with Beethoven’s exuberant and propulsive 7th Symphony, which Wagner called “the apotheosis of the dance.” Featuring pianist Jinzhao Xu, DMA student and winner of the 2026 SMTD Concerto Competition, the concert continues with Saint-Saëns’ stunning and scintillating 5th Piano Concerto, “Egyptian.” The USO’s opening concert reaches its finale with La Valse, evocative and spectacular music by Ravel, who described it as “a dancing, whirling, almost hallucinatory ecstasy, and increasingly passionate and exhausting whirlwind of dancers, who are overcome and exhilarated by nothing but ‘the waltz.’”

Kenneth Kiesler, conductor
Jinzhao Xu, piano (Saint-Saëns)

PROGRAM

Symphony No. 7 in A major, op. 92, Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 5 in F major, op. 103 "Egyptian", Camille Saint-Saëns
La Valse, Maurice Ravel

Concert Duration: 1 hour and 40 minutes