Classical music has been a significant part of the world’s cultural heritage for centuries, and likely will continue to be for many more centuries to come. Its beauty and complexity have captivated audiences worldwide, but its impact on our local communities is undeniable. From inspiring creativity to improving mental health, classical music has numerous benefits. In this blog post, we will explore the impact of classical music on local communities and how it can positively influence them. Classical music brings people together, regardless of their background or cultural heritage. It has the p ..read more

Jump to the Playlist The Top 10 Classical Music Pieces to Get Started with the music of Symphony Orchestras Classical music is a timeless art form that has produced some of the most beautiful and influential pieces of all time. If you’re looking to explore this incredible genre of music and attend symphony orchestra performances, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll be sharing the top 10 classical music pieces of all time that are perfect starts for a symphony orchestra playlist. Whether you’re in Saginaw, Michigan, the Great Lakes Bay Region, or anywhere in the great stat ..read more

Born: September 8, 1841 in Nelahozeves in the Austrian Empire Died: May 1, 1904 in Prague, Czech Republic (age 62) Dvořák was born near Prague and was the eldest son of František Dvořák and his wife, Anna, née Zdeňková. Dvořák was the first of nine children that survived childbirth. Dvořák’s style has been described as “the fullest recreation of a national idiom with that of the symphonic tradition, absorbing folk influences and finding effective ways of using them”. In 1892, Dvořák moved to the United States and became the director of the National Conservatory of Music of America in New Yor ..read more

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Hildegard of Bingen (1098 – 1178), also known as Saint Hildegard or Sibyl of the Rhine, was a German Benedictine abbess, as well as an active writer, composer, philosopher, mystic, visionary, and medical writer and practitioner during the High Middle Ages. She is one of the best-known composers of sacred monophony music, as well as the most recorded writer of sacred monophony in all of modern history. She is considered by many in Europe to be the founder of scientific natural history in Germany. In addition to Ordo Virtutum, HIldegard’s best-known musical work consisting of 82 songs, there are ..read more

Born: September 21, 1874 in Cheltenham, England Died: May 25, 1934 in London, England (age 59) Gustav Theodore Holst (born Gustavus Theodore von Holst) was the eldest of two children of Adolph von Holst and Clara Cox, née Lediard. He was an English composer, arranger, and teacher. He supported socialism and the cause of working people. Holst conceived the idea of The Planets in 1913, partly as a result of his interest in astrology and from his determination to produce a large-scale orchestral work. On May 23, 1934, Holst opted to undergo an operation to remove a duodenal ulcer ..read more

Born: September 4, 1824 in Ansfelden, Austria Died: October 11, 1896 in Vienna, Austria (age 72) Josef Anton Bruckner was the eldest of eleven children of Anton Bruckner Sr. and Therese Helm. Bruckner was an Austrian composer, organist, and music theorist best known for his symphonies, masses, Te Deum and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language and considerable length. Bruckner’s compositions helped to define contemporary musical radicalism, owing to their dissonances, unprepared modulations, and rovi ..read more

Born: September 26, 1898 in Brooklyn, NY Died: July 11, 1937 in Los Angeles, CA (age 38) George Gershwin (born Jacob Gershwine) was the second of four children of Moishe Gershowitz and Roza Bruskina. Gershwin was an American pianist and composer, whose compositions spanned both popular and classical genres. He was one of the most significant and popular American composers of all time. Gershwin was influenced by French composers of the early twentieth century.  Early in 1937, Gershwin began to complain of blinding headaches. On the night of July 9, 1937, Gershwin collapsed in Harburg’s h ..read more

1. Beethoven’s 5th Symphony – Allegro con brio This piece was written in 1824 and is considered one of the greatest symphonies ever composed. It is known for its powerful opening movement, which features a theme that is repeated throughout the entire work. This movement is often referred to as the “Ode to Joy” due to the fact that it contains a quote from Schiller’s poem, “Ode to joy”. The second movement is known as the “Choral”, which is a short movement featuring a choir singing about the beauty of nature. The third movement is called the “Pastorale”, which is an uplifting and happy movem ..read more

The mission of the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra is creating magical and memorable experiences through the power of symphonic music. We are performing for you, join us and connect, listen and recharge! We are continuing to create extraordinary musical experiences through our Music Series events and our newly created educational event opportunities like Magical Musical Lunches, and this month’s Sip with the Symphony. But, we want to make sure that we continue to Inspire, Nurture, and Transform you at every concert and event. Please tell us how we can better serve you and make your epxerience ..read more