August brings outdoor classical concert performances throughout Pittsburgh — and September brings the beginning of 2026-27 seasons, including a gala kickoff from the PSO. Here are six great fall concerts to fill your calendar.
Must-See Classical Concerts in Pittsburgh This Fall (August-September 2026)
BCSO at the Movies: Butler County Symphony Orchestra [Classical, Movie Music]
August 9, North Catholic High School
If you ever find yourself auditioning for a major symphony orchestra, you may be surprised to find music from Star Wars and Jurassic Park listed just as prominently among the required excerpts as pieces by Beethoven and Bruckner. Join the Butler County Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Moon Doh for an evening of film favorites including selections from Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, The Godfather and Spider-Man.
The Girard Sunflower Festival: Erie Philharmonic [Classical, Symphonic]
August 9, Hagen History Center Battles Farm
As summer starts to wind down, what could be better than immersing yourself in acres and acres of sunflowers? If you venture out to The Hagen History Center in Girard, PA, make a point to catch the strings of the Erie Philharmonic as they open the Girard Sunflower Festival at Battles Farm.
Pittsburgh Chamber Brass: Westmoreland Symphony [Classical, Chamber Music]
August 20, Unity Chapel
The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra concludes its summer concert series with an evening of chamber music from the Renaissance to the present day — all arranged for brass quintet. Take a drive and relax in Latrobe’s beautiful Unity Chapel!
Opening Night Gala: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra [Classical, Symphonic]
September 26, Heinz Hall
Lang Lang returns to open the Pittsburgh Symphony’s 2026-27 season with a glittering gala beset with jewels — including Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, music from Bernstein’s Candide and Bizet’s opera Carmen. The spotlight will also illuminate the PSO’s own principal cellist Anne Martindale Williams, who has just celebrated her fiftieth year with the orchestra, and cellist Dale Jeong in Chick Corea’s La Fiesta, arranged for two cellos, strings and percussion.
An Anchor in Time: Resonance Works [Classical, Choral]
September 27, Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall
Resonance Works opens its season at the Carnegie Carnegie with Gilda Lyons’ An Anchor in Time for chamber orchestra, chorus and soloists. Originally commissioned and premiered by Resonance Works to celebrate its 10th anniversary season, Lyons’ work uses text by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Søren Kierkegaard, Christina Rossetti and the words of children speaking to memory, the present moment and their tomorrows. The program will also feature Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring and a “choral time capsule” of works ranging from the late Renaissance to the present day.
Takács Quartet [Classical, Chamber Music]
September 28, Carnegie Music Hall (Oakland)
The world renowned Takács Quartet returns to town under the auspices of Chamber Music Pittsburgh. Last year the quartet celebrated its fiftieth anniversary and this September will mark their eleventh time appearing as part of Chamber Music Pittsburgh’s regular season. The Takács brings a thought provoking program that juxtaposes early works by Beethoven and Brahms with American composer Carlos Simon’s Warmth From Other Suns, inspired by Isabel Wilkerson’s celebrated history of The Great Migration.
Story by Christian Kriegeskotte
Featured Photo by Sonja Mueller
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