The Tucson Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is set to dazzle audiences with its 2025-26 season, which promises to elevate the senses with a stellar lineup. Among the highlights is the return of the world-renowned piano virtuoso Lang Lang, as well as a special concert celebrating America’s 250th birthday next April. The season also features a dynamic performance from a world-class mezzo-soprano and the return of a familiar face as the orchestra’s artist-in-residence.
Despite these exciting performances, the season will unfold without Concertmaster Lauren Roth. Roth, who has been on sabbatical this year after securing the assistant concertmaster position with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, announced her resignation from TSO last week after 11 years with the orchestra.
TSO Music Director José Luis Gomez expressed his admiration for Roth’s contributions, saying, “Eleven years of a tenure is a long time, but if you look at the concertmasters of iconic orchestras, they often stay for a lifetime and leave their mark. Lauren did that for us in a short amount of time. Her commitment to the orchestra and the community was truly remarkable.” In light of Roth’s departure, auditions for the position of concertmaster will open in May.
The orchestra’s 2025-26 season, titled “Transcend Your Senses,” will open with the return of renowned pianist Olga Kern, who will perform Rachmaninoff’s virtuosic and challenging Piano Concerto No. 3 on September 26 and 28 at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall. Kern last performed this piece in Tucson in 2007 with the National Philharmonic of Russia, just one day before the orchestra’s own performance of Rach 3.
Additionally, Lang Lang will make his long-awaited return to the TSO on March 29, 2026. This marks his first concert with the orchestra since 2011 and just his second ever performance with TSO. Lang Lang, a frequent guest on Tucson stages, first captivated local audiences in 2000 with a recital presented by the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music. His debut was notable for being only his fourth U.S. concert, following his impromptu appearance at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival in 1999, where the then-17-year-old replaced the legendary Andre Watts.
Season tickets are now on sale, giving holders early access to the Lang Lang concert before single tickets become available this fall.
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