This Month at the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra: September 2026
September marks the official launch of our Resonance Season. The Blaisdell Concert Hall will host an opening weekend featuring two distinct musical experiences that showcase the dynamic range of our ensemble. Friday night delivers a Masterworks program contrasting American jazz with European romanticism, while Saturday night offers a musical tribute led by a Honolulu pops icon.
Whether you are looking for a symphonic triumph or a big band celebration, this month offers an ideal entry point into the new season.
Rhapsody in Blue & Mahler (Masterworks Series)
Friday, September 25, 2026 | 7:30 PM
We open the season with a Masterworks program led by our Artistic and Music Director Dane Lam. This concert bridges the gap between contemporary local voices, American jazz, and orchestral power.
The evening begins with the Hawaiʻi premiere of of light and stone by Leilehua Lanzilotti, celebrating the voice of one of Hawaiʻi's contemporary composers. Following this local debut, pianist Makoto Ozone takes the stage. Known for his technical brilliance and improvisational flair, Ozone brings his signature energy to George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, the masterpiece that famously forced jazz and classical music to collide on the concert stage.
Acclaimed pianist Makoto Ozone performs Gershwin's iconic Rhapsody in Blue.
The second half of the program is dedicated entirely to Gustav Mahler’s massive Symphony No. 1, Titan. Mahler designed this symphony to sound like an entire world, taking you on an acoustic journey from quiet, dawn-like beauty to a triumphant finale filled with rich orchestral color.
Join us one hour early for a complimentary Pre-Concert Conversation in the hall. Dane Lam and special guests will provide historical and musical insights into the repertoire before we play the first note.
Conductor: Dane Lam
Guest Artist: Makoto Ozone, piano
Repertoire: Lanzilotti (of light and stone), Gershwin (Rhapsody in Blue), Mahler (Symphony No. 1, Titan)
With generous support from Halekulani on the Beach at Waikiki and 2026-27 Season Sponsor Kobayashi Group.
Mahler's Symphony No. 1 demands massive acoustic power from the entire orchestra. Source: WTTW News
Matt Catingub: From Samoa to Sinatra
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Saturday night shifts the energy of the concert hall, offering a musical celebration fifty years in the making.
Matt Catingub returns to the Blaisdell stage as both conductor and featured guest artist. The son of Mavis Rivers, celebrated as "Polynesia’s First Lady of Song," and a proud Pacific Islander honored with the Samoan chiefly title of La’auli, Catingub’s musical roots run deep. Throughout his fifty-year career, he has built a reputation as a saxophonist, pianist, vocalist, and composer.
Matt Catingub returns to HSO for a celebration of big band, jazz and Polynesian heritage.
As our former Pops Conductor, Catingub is a familiar figure in the Honolulu arts community. This specific concert honors his journey from the islands of Samoa to the stages of Carnegie Hall. You will experience a musical tribute connecting his cultural influences with the big band and jazz sounds that shaped his professional career.
Conductor & Guest Artist: Matt Catingub
With generous support from Highgate Hotels, the John Young Foundation, and 2026-27 Season Sponsor Kobayashi Group.
Be There for the First Downbeat
The launch of our Resonance Season sets the tone for a year of live arts in Honolulu. Whether you crave the acoustic force of Mahler's Titan or the swinging, nostalgic energy of a big band tribute, opening weekend delivers. Do not miss your chance to be in the room when the music begins.
Explore the full 2026-27 Resonance Season and secure your tickets for these opening performances at the official HSO Ticketing Portal.