Utah Symphony’s 2025–26 season offers pops, film favorites, and classical masterworks
The Utah Symphony has announced a wide-ranging 2025–26 season that showcases the orchestra’s versatility across three distinct subscription series: Pops, Films in Concert, and Masterworks. From pop and Motown classics to live film scores and symphonic masterpieces, the season offers audiences both entertainment and artistic depth at Abravanel Hall in downtown Salt Lake City.
The Pops Series invites audiences to experience pop culture through a symphonic lens, bringing beloved hits to life with fresh orchestral reinterpretation. The season begins with The Music of Phil Collins and Genesis on September 26 and 27. This concert reimagines Collins’ solo hits and Genesis-era anthems, including “In the Air Tonight,” “Sussudio,” and “Take Me Home,” in sweeping orchestral arrangements. Later in the fall, Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown takes the stage on November 21 and 22, celebrating the timeless grooves and soulful melodies of Motown legends. These concerts highlight how orchestral textures can expand the emotional and rhythmic impact of pop traditions. Subscribers to the Pops Series enjoy access to all four planned concerts in the season, ensuring a diverse musical journey across popular genres.
For movie lovers, the Films in Concert Series offers the immersive thrill of hearing iconic film scores performed live while the films play on the big screen. The season opens September 4–6, 2025, with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert, featuring John Williams’ enchanting score paired with the second installment of the beloved film franchise. In November, audiences will revisit a timeless classic when The Wizard of Oz in Concert comes to Abravanel Hall on November 14 and 15. The symphony performs live renditions of “Over the Rainbow” and other songs while Dorothy and her friends journey through the Land of Oz on screen. The new year begins with an epic cinematic experience as Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert is presented from December 30 through January 3. The live score heightens the drama and adventure of one of the most acclaimed entries in the Star Wars saga. Rounding out the series, Disney-Pixar’s Up in Concert will be performed February 13 and 14, 2026, blending Michael Giacchino’s Oscar-winning score with the film’s heartwarming tale of love, loss, and adventure. Together, these concerts merge narrative and musical artistry, offering unforgettable movie experiences at the symphony.
The centerpiece of the season is the Masterworks Series, which delivers profound classical repertoire with inspiring performances from the orchestra and distinguished guest soloists. Subscribers can choose from 18, 9, or 6 concert packages, tailoring the experience to their level of commitment. The series begins on September 12 and 13, 2025, with pianist Orion Weiss performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto, a romantic masterpiece that blends grandeur with lyrical intimacy. The following weekend, September 19 and 20, features Mendelssohn’s beloved Violin Concerto paired with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, an evening that balances lyrical charm with classical structure.
In October, the orchestra turns to Rachmaninoff’s rarely performed Symphony No. 1, scheduled for October 24 and 25. Written when the composer was just 22, the work brims with youthful intensity and emotional fire. Just days later, on October 30, Utah Symphony will perform Mahler’s monumental “Titan” Symphony, a work of dramatic storytelling and sweeping orchestral color. These early highlights of the Masterworks Series reflect the orchestra’s commitment to both canonical masterpieces and rediscovered treasures, offering audiences a season of depth, variety, and discovery.
With Pops, Films in Concert, and Masterworks, the Utah Symphony’s 2025–26 season provides something for every musical appetite. Pop and Motown classics resonate with nostalgic joy, iconic film scores immerse audiences in cinematic storytelling, and symphonic masterworks invite deeper reflection on the power of orchestral music. Whether listeners are seeking lighthearted entertainment or profound artistry, the season promises to deliver memorable experiences across genres and generations.
