Season Finale: Beethoven & Shostakovich with Young Artist Award Winner

The Northwest Symphony Orchestra Presents a Thrilling Season Finale: Beethoven’s Iconic Fifth Symphony & Shostakovich’s Electrifying Cello Concerto No. 1

Sunday, May 17, 2026 – 3:00 PM at The Auditorium at Forest View, 2121 South Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights, IL

The Northwest Symphony Orchestra invites audiences to an unforgettable season finale on Sunday, May 17, 2026—an afternoon shaped by power, passion, and breathtaking virtuosity, with two monumental works. 

Anchoring the program is Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1, a commanding showcase of intensity, lyricism, and technical brilliance. Taking center stage is cellist Diego Dahle, a college freshman and the 2025 Paul Vermel Young Artist Award winner, whose extraordinary musicianship and vibrant artistic presence earned him this rare and featured performance with the NSO. Dahle’s expressive depth and youthful fire make him a soloist to watch, and his interpretation of this electrifying concerto promises to be one of the defining moments of the season. 

The program continues with one of the most iconic works in the symphonic repertoire: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. From its legendary four‑note opening—perhaps the most recognizable motif in all of music—to its triumphant, blazing finale, this masterpiece charts an unforgettable journey from struggle to victory. Heard live, Beethoven’s Fifth is nothing short of transformative: a sweeping, emotional arc that surges with tension, resolve, and ultimate triumph. It is a fitting and exhilarating conclusion to the Northwest Symphony Orchestra’s 2025–2026 season.

Tickets On Sale Now

Tickets: $20 general admission, $15 seniors (65+), $10 students with ID. Children under 14 attend free with a ticketed adult. Tickets are available at the door, online at www.northwestsymphony.org, or by phone at 847-965-7271.

This concert is presented in partnership with District 214 Community Education. NSO gratefully acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the CME Group Foundation.

Join us as we close our 2025–2026 season with a concert that celebrates musical excellence, rising talent, and the enduring power of the symphonic tradition. This is a performance you won’t want to miss.

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