Beethoven 9: A Joyful Festival Finale

Festival Director and conductor Marin Alsop leads a thrilling Festival finale! You'll hear the world premiere of a new work by Anna Clyne, inspired by Rilke's Book of Hours, alongside one of music's most powerful expressions of joy: Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, featuring an English adaptation of the original text by former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith. Experience this beloved work for the first time, or hear it anew through this powerful text, commissioned by Marin Alsop and Carnegie Hall for the Global Ode to Joy Project in 2020.

Pre-Concert Activities
Before each Festival performance, Jason Alexander Holmes will host a pre-concert panel, giving audiences insight from experts into the musical language, historical context and production of each program. New for the 2027 May Festival, the pre-concert panels will also include a short live performance. All events during the 2027 May Festival will also feature pre-concert performances by community choruses and student ensembles in the Music Hall lobby.