Columbus Symphony: Shostakovich 8 at Ohio Theatre

The Columbus Symphony

The world-renowned Columbus Symphony, under the masterful leadership of conductor and musical director Rossen Milanov, is known to entertain, dazzle, and move audiences beyond the realms of what is thought to be possible. Their incredible musicianship, precision, passion, and energy as a unity are at the forefront of every single performance, and the 2025/2026 Cardinal Health Masterworks season is no different. 

Re(new)al

For 27 March 2026, audiences can look forward to a performance of Vietnamese-American composer Viet Cuong’s Re(new)al, a magnificent concerto for percussion quartet and orchestra, as performed by the Grammy Award-nominated percussion quartet, Sandbox Percussion alongside the Columbus Symphony. The frequently performed work’s inventive orchestration, including crystal glasses and air cans, incredible rhythmic drive, whimsical nature, physical choreography, and delicate teamwork are something special to behold. Re(new)al leans heavily into the central themes of transformation and resilience, with each movement reflecting a different aspect of renewable energy - hydro, wind, and solar, and instruments to match - often unconventional. 

Symphony No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 65 "Stalingrad"

Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65, or the Stalingrad Symphony, composed by Soviet-era Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich, is without a doubt one of the composer’s most powerful, profound, and impactful symphonies. The work is a massively moving and emotionally raw reflection on war as a force of destruction and inescapable suffering. From the brutal energy of the fast movements to the profound isolation of the famous Passacaglia movement featuring as the emotional core with its quiet bass line movements reflecting on inescapable horror, from the savage irony of the Scherzo with its grotesque, menacing, and mechanically brutal trumpet solos and fife-and-drums motifs to the sheer power of the climaxes and the massive dynamic range, Symphony No. 8 is a work of relentless tension, indescribable depth, gut-wrenching truth, and fierce intensity. This work, inspired by World War II, is as relevant today as then, and is a must for all music lovers. 

The Ohio Theatre

The iconic, historic Ohio Theatre, situated on Capitol Square in Downtown Columbus, has been the go-to for all things world-class entertainment for nearly a century. Apart from the Ohio Theatre’s breathtaking Spanish-Baroque architecture, historic charm, and gorgeous furniture, the venue also features some of the best lighting and sound systems, the most sought-after sight-lines, the most outstanding acoustics, and the greatest amenities in Ohio. The Ohio Theatre, a National Historic Landmark, boasts luxurious seating for up to 2,791 patrons across an orchestra floor, loge, mezzanine, and balcony. 

Get your tickets now - you owe it to yourself.