Celebrating 10 Years of Yannick in Ann Arbor

By UMS

Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin is no stranger to UMS, with Ann Arbor audiences having enjoyed many of his memorable performances over the past decade with internationally celebrated artists and ensembles.

After his UMS debut with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in 2015, Nézet-Séguin has also led his hometown Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, conducted four performances with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and joined mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato in recital. Here is a brief photo walk down memory lane…

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra, September 2018

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Joyce DiDonato performing Schubert’s Winterreise, December 2018

Joyce DiDonato and Yannick Nézet-Séguin with Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, November 2019

Nézet-Séguin conducting The Philadelphia Orchestra and the UMS Choral Union in Brahms’s Ein deutsches Requiem, April 2024

We are delighted to welcome Nézet-Séguin back to Ann Arbor in a fitting “sequel” to his 23/24 season performance of Brahms’s Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem). This December, in his 10-year anniversary with UMS, he will lead an all-Brahms program on a limited tour with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and soloists Veronika Eberle and Jean-Guihen Queyras. Discover what makes this collaboration so special:

A Beautiful Musical Partnership

This performance by one of the Europe’s most acclaimed orchestras is fresh off the release of their critically lauded recordings of the complete Brahms symphonies. Their interpretations have been praised for their clarity, warmth, and emotional immediacy.

Released on Deutsche Grammophon last summer, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe’s Brahms cycle with Nézet-Séguin offers something both intimate and expansive. The 60-member ensemble — smaller than a traditional symphony orchestra — brings transparency to Brahms’s often densely woven textures.

Gramophone called these recordings “an absolute joy,” and it’s no surprise. Nézet-Séguin’s long-standing relationship with the COE has created a deep musical rapport, and together, they marry centuries-old tradition with a fresh energy.

In this video, Nézet-Séguin explains how he can truly make music “in the moment” with the ensemble.

A Journey Through Brahms’s Musical Life

The upcoming UMS performance culminates in Brahms’s beloved Symphony No. 1. Cleverly nicknamed by some as “Beethoven’s Tenth” for its grandeur and seriousness, Brahms’s first symphony is a triumph of musical architecture and human feeling. In the hands of Nézet-Séguin and the COE, its familiar opening and radiant finale take on new emotional resonance.

This program juxtaposes Brahms’s first orchestral composition with the Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, his final orchestral work that showcases a lyrical dialogue between soloists and ensemble. The performance will also feature the UMS debuts of violinist Veronika Eberle and cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras.

Veronika Eberle and Jean-Guihen Queyras

A Rare Treat for U.S. Audiences

American audiences rarely get the chance to hear the Chamber Orchestra of Europe live. Their appearance in Ann Arbor this December is part of an extremely limited U.S. tour and offers a window into a deeply collaborative and joyfully serious approach to music-making.

This is Brahms not as monument, but as living, breathing artistry. Whether you’re a longtime admirer of his music or encountering these masterpieces for the first time, the concert promises a profound and unforgettable experience. We hope you will join us in welcoming maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin back to Michigan for his 10-year anniversary with UMS!

Looking for Tickets?

The best seats at the best prices are available now as part of a UMS Season Ticket package. Customize 5+ events of your choice and save 10% off standard ticket prices with a Series:You subscription (our most popular option!), or explore our Choral Union Series.

Individual event tickets will go on sale Tuesday, July 29.

This concert is made possible by supporting sponsors Sid Gilman and Carol Barbour.