Atlanta Symphony Orchestra 2026-27 Season: Concerts and Highlights
Bringing Brahms, Joshua Bell and Two World Premieres to Atlanta
Published August 14, 2026
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The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is going big for its 82nd season. Under Music Director Nathalie Stutzmann, the 2026-27 Delta Classical Concert season puts Johannes Brahms in the spotlight with “Brahms Revealed”, a season-long exploration of the composer’s symphonies, concertos and “A German Requiem”. But Brahms is only part of the story: The new season also brings violin superstar Joshua Bell to Atlanta, welcomes pianist Anna Geniushene as Artist-in-Residence, features two world premieres and spans everything from Mozart and Tchaikovsky to Gershwin, Wagner and contemporary composers.
With concerts running from September 2026 through June 2027, the season offers plenty of opportunities to experience the orchestra—from major symphonic works and internationally acclaimed guest artists to family concerts, holiday traditions and a new morning Coffee Concert series.
Brahms Takes Center Stage
Following the ASO’s ambitious Beethoven Project, Stutzmann turns her attention to another giant of the Romantic era: Johannes Brahms.
The season-long “Brahms Revealed” series brings together all four of Brahms’ symphonies, his concertos, his Double Concerto and his monumental A German Requiem, giving Atlanta audiences the opportunity to hear the composer’s work across an entire season.
The series begins Oct. 8-10 with “Brahms + Wagner”, pairing Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 with music from Wagner’s “Lohengrin, Tristan und Isolde and Rienzi”. Other highlights include Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in November, Symphony No. 4 in January, the Double Concerto in April and “A German Requiem” April 8-11.
The series concludes May 27-29 with Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 and Symphony No. 2, featuring pianist Benjamin Grosvenor.
Joshua Bell Opens the Season
One of the most recognizable names in classical music kicks off the season when violinist Joshua Bell performs with the ASO on Sept. 16.
Conducted by Michael Stern, the program features Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1, “Classical,” Lalo’s “Symphonie espagnole” and Rachmaninoff’s “Symphonic Dances”.
For longtime classical music fans and newcomers alike, it’s an easy concert to put on the calendar.
Meet the ASO’s New Artist-in-Residence
Pianist Anna Geniushene joins the orchestra as its new Artist-in-Residence, appearing throughout the season in three piano concertos.
Her performances include Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in November, Schumann’s Piano Concerto in November and Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” during the June season finale.
Other notable guest artists include violinist Johan Dalene, jazz pianist Sullivan Fortner, violinist Veronika Eberle, cellist Johannes Moser, pianist Elisabeth Brauß and cellist Sterling Elliott.
Two World Premieres Make the Season Distinctly Atlanta
The 2026-27 season isn’t only about music from the past. Two new works will receive their world premieres in Atlanta.
On April 22-24, the ASO presents the world premiere of Adam Schoenberg’s “Concerto for Body” as part of a program featuring Mendelssohn’s Overture to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Double Concerto, performed by conductor Robert Spano with violinist David Coucheron and pianist Julie Coucheron.
Later that month, the ASO celebrates the 100th birthday of Atlanta civil rights icon Coretta Scott King with concerts April 29 and May 1. The program features the world premiere of a new work by composer Jasmine Arielle Barnes, commissioned by the ASO in honor of King’s centennial.
The program also features works by William Grant Still, Jimmy López, Carlos Simon, Leonard Bernstein and Florence Price, creating a powerful connection between contemporary music, American musical history and Atlanta’s own cultural legacy.
More than Brahms
While “Brahms Revealed” provides the season with its central thread, the programming travels well beyond 19th-century Germany.
October brings Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”, performed with Atlanta pianist and jazz artist Sullivan Fortner, alongside music from “Porgy and Bess”.
The season also explores the operatic world that has become an important part of Stutzmann’s musical identity, with works by Wagner, Berlioz, Gluck and others appearing throughout the season. December’s French Opera Night features selections from Bizet’s “Carmen”, Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette”, Offenbach’s “The Tales of Hoffmann” and other works.
Mozart takes the spotlight in March with an All-Mozart Showcase featuring the composer’s “Paris” and “Linz” symphonies and Piano Concerto No. 17. A second March program pairs Mozart with Mendelssohn and contemporary composer James MacMillan.
Later in the season, audiences can hear Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Sibelius, Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff and more.
Music for the Whole Family
The ASO’s season also offers plenty for Atlanta’s youngest music lovers.
The “Music for the Very Young” series returns with productions including “I Spy!”, “The Ant and the Grasshopper” and “The Story of Ferdinand”. Designed for children under 8, the programs offer an introduction to live orchestral music through interactive performances.
Family Concerts bring even more kid-friendly programming to the stage, including “Halloween, Hogwarts & More”, “Winter Wonderland” and “Peter and the Wolf”.
Holiday traditions return as well, with “Christmas with the ASO”, “Handel’s Messiah” and “Sounds of the Season” rounding out the year.
New Coffee Concerts Bring Classical Music to Friday Mornings
For those who prefer their symphonic music with a little caffeine, the ASO is introducing a new Coffee Concert series during the 2026-27 season.
The series features two Friday morning performances: an All-Mozart Showcase on March 12 and Mendelssohn’s Double Concerto on April 23.
The new series offers another way to experience the orchestra outside of its traditional evening concert schedule.
Concerts to Put on Your Atlanta Calendar
With dozens of performances throughout the season, there are plenty of ways to experience the ASO. Some highlights include:
Sept. 16, 2026: Joshua Bell
Oct. 1-4, 2026: Opening Weekend with Nathalie Stutzmann — Brahms Violin Concerto and Symphony No. 1
Oct. 8-10, 2026: Brahms Revealed: Brahms + Wagner
Oct. 22-24, 2026: Rhapsody in Blue
Nov. 5-7, 2026: Brahms Revealed: Bach + Brahms
Dec. 10-13, 2026: Christmas with the ASO
Jan. 14-16, 2027: Brahms Revealed: Fourth Symphony
March 11-13, 2027: All-Mozart Showcase
April 1-2, 2027: Brahms Revealed: Brahms + Shostakovich
April 8-11, 2027: Brahms Revealed: Requiem
April 22-24, 2027: Mendelssohn’s Double Concerto + Adam Schoenberg world premiere
April 29-May 1, 2027: Coretta Scott King Celebration + Jasmine Arielle Barnes world premiere
May 27-29, 2027: Brahms Revealed: Finale
June 3-6, 2027: Season Finale: Rachmaninoff + Tchaikovsky
Whether you’re a longtime symphony subscriber or looking for a new way to experience Atlanta’s performing arts scene, the 2026-27 season offers plenty of entry points—from a superstar violinist and familiar favorites to new music, family programming and a season-long exploration of one of classical music’s defining composers.
Visit the ASO’s website to explore the full schedule and purchase tickets.
Check out more events happening in Atlanta.
Daniela Cintrón is an award-winning journalist, editor and producer passionate about storytelling at the intersection of food, art, and culture. She is the senior content manager and editor for Discover Atlanta and has contributed to publications like the Los Angeles Times, Atlanta Magazine and Eater.
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