THE CLASSIX SERIES
MENDELSSOHN VIOLIN CONCERTO
Saturday & Sunday
March 21 & 22, 2026
7:30 PM | Doors 6:00 PM
4:00 PM | Doors 2:30 PM
Like a great masterpiece shaped by time and intellect, the Reno Phil embarks on the pursuit of knowledge, where music unfolds with curiosity, discovery, and profound insight. At the heart of the evening is Nathan Amaral, the first prize winner of the 2024 Sphinx Competition, whose artistry illuminates Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto—a work of exquisite elegance and fiery virtuosity, as if the violin itself is searching for truth in every soaring phrase. The journey begins with Autumn Maria Reed’s Robin’s Eye View, a vivid and imaginative exploration of the world from above. The night reaches its pinnacle with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, a work Robert Schumann once prophesied as part of Beethoven’s legacy, declaring that Brahms, wielding his “magic wand,” would reveal “wondrous glimpses into the secret world of the spirits.” From its stormy opening to its triumphant, hymn-like finale, the symphony wrestles with struggle and revelation, culminating in an exultant resolution—a testament to the brilliance that emerges when passion and intellect collide.
ON THE PROGRAM
Autumn Maria Reed Robin’s Eye View
Felix Mendelssohn Violin Concerto op. 64 in E minor
Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 1 op. 68 in C minor
NATHAN AMARAL
VIOLIN
LAURA JACKSON
CONDUCTOR
Single tickets for the 2025-2026 Season go on sale August 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM. For information on group rates, or other ticket discounts, please click here.
INTERESTED IN A PARTNERSHIP, SPONSORSHIP, OR UNDERWRITING OPPORTUNITY?
Contact Evelyn Klatt, Chief Development & Marketing Officer at eklatt@renophil.com
NATHAN AMARAL, VIOLIN
The Grand Prize winner of both the Concert Artist Guild (CAG) and Young Concert Artist Trust (YCAT) competitions, as well as the first prize winner of the 2024 Sphinx Competition, Nathan Amaral, has earned a reputation for being "One of the rare musicians who not only possesses the gift of ample technical ability but uses it to transcend technique, getting to the heart and soul of musical expression… he draws his audiences in with a great range of color and emotion.” (Yo-Yo Ma)
Nathan has appeared as soloist with orchestras including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Philharmonia Orchestra and was named a Classic FM 30 under 30 Rising Star. He has performed at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, KKL at Lucerne Festival, Symphony Hall in Boston and Konzerthaus Dortmund. Nathan’s recent engagements include a tour as soloist with the Chineke! Orchestra performing at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London’s Southbank Centre and throughout the UK, as well as his debut Decca album with Chineke!
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Nathan received his first violin lessons at the age of twelve as part of a social project in the favela of Mangueira. The project was intended as a recreational initiative to take children out of the streets due to the high risk of criminality and drug abuse. In a class of 200 students, he was the only one who kept pursuing music, and in 2021 Nathan founded his own festival – Week of Musical Integration – to support and teach young musicians from difficult backgrounds in Brazil in order to give back to his community. His initiative has gained visibility and interest on major TV channels in Brazil, including a life documentary. With the belief that music should be accessible to everyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or financial class, together with his performing career, Nathan’s personal mission is to establish an institution for underprivileged music students and people of color in his hometown.
Nathan is a graduate of the New England Conservatory on full scholarship under the guidance of Donald Weilerstein and has been appointed as a Thomastik-Infeld Artist and Coregami Ambassador.
LAURA JACKSON, CONDUCTOR
An eloquent and articulate artist on and off the podium renowned for her dynamic leadership, energetic performances, and progressive vision, American conductor Laura Jackson is praised for her innovation, passion, and commitment to the continued growth of the symphonic repertoire and expanding music’s impact within communities. Having served as the fourth Music Director and Conductor of the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra (Reno Phil) since 2009, her contract has been unanimously renewed through the end of the 2028-2029 season, ensuring that diverse, compelling repertoire, and creative community programming will continue through the organization’s 60th anniversary. A 21st century conductor at home with repertoire from every era, Jackson is recognized for her championing of new music, her creativity with commissions, and her commitment to mentoring and encouraging the next generation of musicians, composers and women conductors. She is in her third season as an official mentor to emerging women conductors across the globe in the Taki-Alsop Foundation’s Fellowship program. With the Reno Phil, she also partners with the Davidson Institute in Reno, Nevada to feature their instrumental fellows in concert. A frequent guest conductor, she has led distinguished ensembles across the United States, Canada, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Algeria, and China, and her relationships with orchestras continue to expand.
A champion of living composers, Laura Jackson created the Reno Philharmonic’s Composers in Residence initiative and has commissioned and presented several world premieres. She has led over 50 Reno Phil premieres and multiple Western U.S. premieres. Under her leadership, the Reno Phil has expanded its community and education programs to include the Composers in Residence, Conduct Us, movies with live orchestra performances, the annual Play for a Day, and the youth orchestras have expanded from three to four ensembles. Additionally, live streaming of concerts was introduced in 2020. www.laurajackson.net
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*Not ready to attend in person? Purchase an access link for our livestream or video-on-demand and enjoy the concert from the comfort of home!
How to View the Livestream Concert
One day before the concert, ticketholders will receive an email with a link to the video. We recommend you access the link at least 10 minutes before the concert begins. If you do not receive a link, please check your spam & junk folders before contacting the box office. Livestream FAQ & SUPPORT.
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Parking
Patrons have several options for parking near the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. We recommend the following:
Metered parking (pay Monday-Saturday 9am – 6pm; free evenings after 6pm and on Sundays)
The open parking lot across from the Washoe County Court House (free on evenings and weekends). The entrance is located on Court St, between Virginia and Sierra St.
The parking lot attached to Nevada State Bank (ONLY available free in the evenings and on weekends)
Directions
Directions from I-580 via Mill Street
Take exit 66 for Mill St.
-395 Northbound: exit 66 and turn left at Mill St.
-395 Southbound: exit 66 and turn right at Mill St.
Follow Mill St. about 1.5 miles
Turn left on Lake St.
Turn right on Court St.
The Pioneer Center will be on your right
Directions from I-80 via Virginia Street
Take exit 13 for Downtown Reno/Virginia St.
-I-80 Eastbound: exit 13 and turn right at N. Virginia St.
-I-80 Westbound: exit 13 and turn left at N. Virginia St.
Follow Virginia St. about 1 mile (cross the Truckee River).
The Pioneer Center will be on your left
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The Reno Phil’s community partners donate rooms for out of town musicians, food for events and many other needs. Without their generosity, we would not be able to provide the community with world-class, innovative music performances. We greatly appreciate their contribution to the performing arts, as well as helping keep the costs of concerts reasonable for our ticket buyers. If you’re coming from out of town and plan to stay in Reno after the concert, please consider reserving a room with one of our hotel partners.
We hear from our partners that enjoying a good meal makes our concerts sound better. You should test that theory and let us know! Please consider dining with one of these supporting restaurants before or after a concert. And say thanks for us, too.
Dining
Beaujolais Bistro
Washoe Public House
CentroHotels
Whitney Peak
Renaissance