Beethoven Festival Tickets

Everyone in our party has had a lifelong interest in music but had not attended the SA symphony for fear of disappointment. All of us had previously lived in a major city, which shall remain nameless, and suffered the slings and arrows of its outrageous orchestra which also shall remain nameless. We got tired of tricks substituting for talent. Just through sheer coincidence and in an entirely unrelated field, my wife began a friendship with a member of the SA Symphony Orchestra. That, combined with the Beethoven series finally broke through our resistance and we attended the performance of Symphonies 1&3. We were astonished to find that SA symphony had a world class conductor. We attended all the other performances including the fabulous Ninth. Lessing's masterly control of the orchestra and obvious profound understanding of the pieces was a delight to behold. SA Symphony needs to hold on to this man. Next year, season tickets for us!

This was a magnificent performance in every way. I especially loved the French horns, they had a lovely tonality that you don' t usually hear, no raspiness at all. The "Ode an Der Freude" was tremendous, powerful, so moving, it brought tears to my eyes; especially the instrumental part in the middle. I also liked the bassoons. They don't often get much praise, but they were very good as well.

I was most impressed with this performance by the SA symphony. This was the first time that I've heard the 8th symphony in its entirety. It was a most enjoyable experience. However, the 9th was a huge surprise! Years ago, I heard the Boston Symphony perform the 9th under the baton of Leonard Bernstein. It was of course, an amazing , incredible, unforgettable performance. I never thought the SA symphony would be able to live up to that experience. However, the Fri. night performance exceeded my expectations. The rendition of the 2nd movement was a tad faster than I like, but it was very well executed. In the Adagio, the Violas played the melodic theme with a rich, romantic tone. It was an emotional moment. The final movement was superb! The Mastersingers were sensational as well as the solos and the quartet. The orchestra and chorus were so well balanced . The multiple ovations were truly well deserved. Maestro Lang-Lessing is a force to be watched in the years to come. I hope he remains with our symphony for a very long time! I am convinced that Beethoven himself would be proud of this joyous performance!

A fantastic night of relaxing music. Highly recommend!

6th was very good, but not outstanding, partially due to acoustics/amplification in the highest registers. 7th was OUTSTANDING.

This was an outstanding performance. The finesse achieved by the orchestra under Maestro Lang-Lessing was superb, especially to be noted in delicate ritardando spots. Essential Beethoven power was achieved by the horns, and also by the cellos. Maybe the basses could support the cellos a little more in fortissimo sections. Horn and woodwind solo spots were outstanding The Beethoven Seventh is important in the history of the SA Symphony. In October 1943 the SA Symphony began its first season as a full-time professional orchestra. Maestro Max Reiter selected the Seventh as the featured work on this opening concert. As a Jefferson High School student and pupil of the Symphony's 1st Horn, Mario Grilli, Dr. Reiter allowed me to sit quietly with the horn section during rehearsals of this first concert. (In the years 1946 to 1949 I was occasionally engaged as "extra" horn when the score called for more than the standard 4 horns.) Then in 1949 or '50, shortly after the untimely death of Max Reiter, noted Maestro Leopold Stokowski, who had already been engaged to guest-conduct a concert, directed the Second Movement of the Beethoven Seventh as a memorial to Max Reiter, an emotional experience for SA Symphony fans and orchestra members.

the last time i attended the symphony i was able to sleep peacefully. this time the music and the energy from the orchestra was to much to allow me to doze. it was quite enjoyable. The the orchestra and the Majestic seem to be a match made in heaven for Beethoven...plan to go back!

Outstanding Performance by the San Antonio Symphony at the Majestic in San Antonio

One of the best performances we have seen. The musicians and director were beyond our expectations

The San Antonio symphony has made remarkable improvement in the last few years. The String section tended to overpower the orchestra in general. However, they were nicely in tune and very nice bowing overall. The woodwinds need some beefing up. I really enjoyed the French Horn section . Their harmonies and solos were very well done. The 6th symphony was very enjoyable. My son who came with me, kept reminiscing about the Disney Fantasia video which he watched MANY times as a child! The 7th symphony was also quite well done. The famous 2nd movement was a bit fast for my taste and needed more depth. Perhaps that is due to a smaller orchestra. The last movement was very well done! The standing ovation was well deserved. Maestro Lang-Lessing is a great addition to San Antonio. I enjoyed my evening immensely!

The night was a fun night full of wonderful musicianship. Maestro Lang-Lessing really understands the symphonies pieces and has done an amazing job getting his orchestra on the same page. Beethoven's 6th is one of those meant to tell a story of nature and people and the story was easily pictured with the help of San Antonio's finest. Beethoven's 7th which is my absolute favorite is highly dynamic piece meant to play with your emotions. Lang-Lessing decided to conduct the orchestra at a slightly faster tempo than what is normally played for this piece... and it was brilliant! So much energy and bounce. Even though it was a symphony I'm sure people sound it hard to move.

San Antonio Symphony performance of Beethoven's 6th & 7th was outstanding--conductor Lang-Lessing was brilliant--leading the musicians through an unforgettable performance of these works from the world's greatest composer.

Wonderful, would go again. Lovely romantic evening.

Great show, but the seats were a little uncomfortable.

Overall the performance by the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra (symphonies 1 & 3) was very good. However the Symphony #3 'EROICA' was somewhat less than expected, because it seemed to lack POWER and EMOTION. I have heard this piece performed many times, and always came away feeling ENERGIZED---not so much this time. I do enjoy the way SASO conductor connects with and educates the audience. The majestic theatre in San Antonio, is a wonderful place to listen to a concert, and there are wonderful restaurants and bars nearby, as well as major hotels.

Music was wonderful! Piano soloist was extremely talented.