St. Louis Symphony - Italian Splendor

By Sam Wisman

Published October 4, 2026 at 2:00 PM CDT

The St. Louis Symphony performs in Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center, September 2026

Experience the splendors of Italy with Music Director Stéphane Denève and the SLSO in this captivating season opener. We'll hear music by Hector Berlioz and Andrea Tarrodi. Plus Respighi’s Pines of Rome guides us through parks and catacombs, and pianist Yefim Bronfman performs Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2.

An agreement with the St. Louis Symphony allows us to share audio for this program up to two weeks after the program's original air date. You can find more episodes here.

Host

Jonathan Ahl
St. Louis Public Radio

Commentator

Lauren Eldridge Stewart
Assistant Professor of Music at Washington University

Conductor

Stéphane Denève

Program

Roman Carnival Overture
by Hector Berlioz

Piano Concerto No. 2
by Franz Liszt
Yefim Bronfman, piano

Pianist Yefim Bronfman takes a bow following a performance with the St. Louis Symphony, September 2026

Grandes Etudes de Paganini, S. 141: No. 2 in Eb Major (encore)
by Franz Liszt
Yefim Bronfman, piano

Backstage intermission interviews
Stéphane Denève
Daniel Lee (SLSO Principal Cello)
Yefim Bronfman

Liguria
by Andrea Tarrodi

Pines of Rome
by Ottorino Respighi

These broadcasts are produced by St. Louis Public Radio and made possible in partnership with St. Louis Public Radio and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.