In Friday’s (10/31) San Francisco Classical Voice, Tom Jacobs writes, “In anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Pasadena Symphony’s 2025–2026 season is loaded with American music. Brett Mitchell’s second season as music director will feature two co-commissions and two West Coast premieres by American composers, plus classics by Copland and Dvořák’s America-inspired ‘New World Symphony.’… The celebration kicks off on Nov. 8 with ‘Tour de Force,’ a piece by Jim Self, the orchestra’s principal tuba. The performance marks his 50th anniversary with the ensemble.” The concert will also feature works by Berlioz and Ravel. “Edgar Meyer’s 1999 violin concerto, which incorporates bluegrass elements, will follow on Jan. 24 with Tessa Lark as soloist…. Another American work, “Beacon” by Colorado-based composer Jeffrey Nytch, will be presented on Feb. 21…. The Mar. 21 concerts will feature a Pasadena Symphony co-commission: the First Symphony of Mexican American composer Juan Pablo Conteras…. The West Coast premiere of American composer Jennifer Higdon’s Cello Concerto highlights the Apr. 25 concerts … The program also features Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ Symphony and the ‘Heroic Overture’ of Dallas-based composer Quinn Mason. The season concludes with another co-commission and West Coast premiere: ‘Rhapsody on “America” ’ by Baltimore-based composer Jonathan Leshnoff, featuring pianist Joyce Yang.”
