There’s a difference between putting on a playlist and settling into a concert hall to hear dozens of musicians perform together. The Alabama Symphony Orchestra is giving Birmingham audiences two opportunities to experience that distinction this November, with programs that move from the lively compositions of Leonard Bernstein to the expressive works of Edward Elgar.
Both concerts are part of the orchestra’s 2026–27 Masterworks season, performed at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. And if you haven’t attended a symphony performance before, November is a particularly interesting time to start. The two programs have different personalities, offering a little something for longtime classical music listeners and those who are simply curious about the experience.
November 6–7: Levity, Featuring Violinist Tessa Lark
The first Masterworks program of the month, Levity, takes the stage Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7, at 7 p.m. Under the direction of conductor Daniel Cho, the program pairs three compositions that showcase very different sides of orchestral music.
The evening opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Starburst, a short, energetic composition for string orchestra. Montgomery is one of today’s prominent American composers, and the piece offers a contemporary introduction before the program turns to Leonard Bernstein.
The centerpiece is Bernstein’s Serenade after Plato’s Symposium, featuring acclaimed violinist Tessa Lark. Although the work isn’t formally titled a violin concerto, the solo violin plays a central role throughout. Inspired by Plato’s philosophical dialogue about love, the composition moves through contrasting musical ideas, giving Lark plenty of room to demonstrate both technical skill and expression.
The concert concludes with Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 2, a work known for its pastoral character and expansive orchestration. It’s a fitting contrast to the more rhythmically adventurous music earlier in the evening.
For anyone who thinks classical concerts are always serious or predictable, this program makes a compelling counterargument.
Performance details:
- Dates: Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Time: 7 p.m. each evening
- Location: Jemison Concert Hall at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center
- Tickets: Listed from $36 to $90, with $15 student tickets available
Visit the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s Levity event page for the program and ticket information.
November 20–21: English Light
Two weeks later, the orchestra returns with English Light, conducted by Molly Turner, on Friday, November 20, and Saturday, November 21.
This Masterworks program turns toward British musical traditions, with compositions that range from sweeping orchestral portraits to reflective string arrangements.
One of the featured works is Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations, a collection of 14 musical variations inspired by people in the composer’s life. Each variation represents a different personality or relationship, creating something like a series of character sketches through music. The collection includes the particularly well-known Nimrod variation.
Another highlight is Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, a work for string orchestra that draws inspiration from a 16th-century English melody. Its layered arrangement and contrasting groups of strings create a different listening experience from the fuller orchestral sound of Elgar.
The evening also includes Johannes Brahms’ Variations on a Theme of Joseph Haydn and Ethel Smyth’s On the Cliffs of Cornwall, the prelude to Act II of her opera The Wreckers. Smyth, a British composer and women’s suffrage advocate, is an especially interesting addition to a program exploring English musical heritage.
For listeners interested in the stories behind classical compositions, English Light offers plenty to appreciate beyond the music itself.
Performance details:
- Dates: Friday, November 20, and Saturday, November 21, 2026
- Time: 7 p.m. each evening
- Location: Jemison Concert Hall at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center
- Tickets: Listed from $36 to $90, with $15 student tickets available
Additional information is available on the English Light concert page.
New to the Symphony? Here’s What to Know
You don’t need a background in classical music to appreciate an evening with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. A little familiarity with the program can make the experience more enjoyable, but there’s no homework required.
Both November Masterworks programs take place at Jemison Concert Hall inside UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, located at 1200 10th Avenue South in Birmingham. The concert hall was designed specifically for live orchestral and choral performances, making it an appropriate setting for experiencing the full range of symphonic music.
If you’d like some background before the performance, the orchestra offers Conductor Comments, a complimentary pre-concert discussion for ticket holders. These sessions are scheduled from 6:15 to 6:35 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday evenings in the Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall, located in the upper lobby.
The discussions provide context about the music and composers, offering listeners a useful introduction to what they’ll hear. No separate reservation is required.
For parking, the Alys Stephens Center identifies UAB’s Zone F-3 lot on 11th Avenue South as a convenient free parking option, with additional street parking and designated UAB lots available. Check the venue’s parking information before leaving, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the UAB campus.
The venue recommends arriving at least 30 minutes before a performance. Arriving earlier also gives you time to find your seat, explore the program and attend Conductor Comments if you choose.
Make Room for a Different Kind of Evening
With so many entertainment options around Birmingham, it’s easy to overlook the performances happening in our own concert halls. The Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s November programs offer an opportunity to hear familiar composers alongside contemporary works and lesser-known voices.
Start with Levity if you’re drawn to energetic compositions and a featured soloist, or consider English Light if you enjoy music with a strong sense of history and storytelling. Either way, it’s an opportunity to experience Birmingham’s performing arts scene from a different seat.
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