THE CLASSIX SERIES
STRAVINSKY’S FIREBIRD
Saturday & Sunday
February 21 & 22, 2026
4:00 PM | Doors 2:30 PM
4:00 PM | Doors 2:30 PM
Like a spell cast in sound, the Reno Phil conjures an evening in the pursuit of magic, where music shimmers, soars, and ignites the imagination. At the heart of it all is Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, bursting into a glorious blaze of color, rhythm, and enchantment. The journey begins with Jonathan Sokol's What Trees May Speak, a mysterious and evocative soundscape where nature whispers its hidden truths. The night comes to a triumphant close with Jon Nakamatsu, longtime favorite of the Phil, whose clarity, depth, and expressive command makes him an ideal interpreter of one of the most beloved works in the repertoire.
ON THE PROGRAM
Jonathan Sokol What Trees May Speak
Igor Stravinsky The Firebird Suite (1919)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 op. 23 in B-flat minor
TAKE NOTE: BOTH PERFORMANCES OF THIS CONCERT - SATURDAY AND SUNDAY- WILL BEGIN AT 4:00 PM
LAURA JACKSON
CONDUCTOR
JON NAKAMATSU
PIANO
INTERESTED IN A PARTNERSHIP, SPONSORSHIP, OR UNDERWRITING OPPORTUNITY?
Contact Evelyn Klatt, Chief Development & Marketing Officer at eklatt@renophil.com
JON NAKAMATSU, PIANO
Now in his third decade of touring worldwide, American pianist Jon Nakamatsu continues to draw critical and public acclaim for his intensity, elegance and electrifying solo, concerto and chamber music performances. Catapulted to international attention in 1997 as the Gold Medalist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition—the only American to achieve this distinction since 1981—Mr. Nakamatsu subsequently developed a multi-faceted career that encompasses recording, education, arts administration and public speaking in addition to his vast concert schedule.
This season, Mr. Nakamatsu returns to live performances throughout the United States and in Europe. Between 2020 and the spring of 2021, he was engaged in a myriad of online events including recording, masterclasses and virtual interviews and lectures for organizations such as the Chautauqua Institution Piano Festival, Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute, the Van Cliburn Foundation and the Chopin Foundation of the United States. In collaboration with clarinetist Jon Manasse, Mr. Nakamatsu also produced and curated an online series of interviews and historical performances taken from the archives of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, where he and Mr. Manasse have served as Artistic Directors since 2007.
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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Ticket Fees
Credit card purchases of single tickets include a per-ticket fee based on ticket price ($1.50–$10.50).
Subscribers do not pay per-ticket fees.
Pay in person with cash or check to avoid fees.
Youth Tickets (26 & Under – Classix Only)
$9 (cash/check)
$10.50 (credit card)
All seating levels • Not online • ID may be required📞 775-323-6393
📍 925 Riverside Dr., Suite 3
🕒 Mon–Fri, 10 AM–3 PMNo youth subscription rate.
Important
Applies only to events ticketed directly by Reno Phil.
Other venues (GSR, LTSF, etc.) have their own fee structures.Buy direct through Reno Phil to ensure valid tickets.
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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