The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra opened its 2025-26 season with a jubilant evening that brought together the orchestra's talented musicians and enthusiastic patrons who champion their work.
The Opening Night Celebration has become a smaller version of the FWSO's glamorous gala later in the season, but with no less star power or fervor. This year's opening party, which took place Friday, September 5, attracted the biggest crowd in recent memory; word's getting out FWSO throws a swell soiree.
The night started at Bass Performance Hall, where the Fort Worth Symphony and maestro Robert Spano (starting his fourth season as music director) welcomed renowned pianist Stephen Hough for a performance of Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 that one local critic called "revelatory." Hough is well known to Fort Worth audiences; he served on the jury of the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and wrote its commissioned work played by all 30 contestants.
Robert Spano and Sir Stephen Hough take a bow after their performance on the Bass Hall stage.Photo by Karen Almond
Following the concerto and several curtain calls, Hough sat back down to the piano to play a Grieg nocturne as a sublime solo encore.
FWSO and Spano bookended the concert with performances of Sibelius' beloved Finlandia, Op. 26 (featuring the well-known tune from the hymn "Be Still My Soul") and Brahms' sweeping Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98.
The Opening Night Celebration then continued down the street at the City Club Ballroom. Hosted by board chairman Mercedes T. Bass and the FWSO board of directors, the dinner and cocktail party celebrated the orchestra's musicians and honored Louella Baker Martin for her many years of service to the FWSO and other local arts organizations.
Relieved of his performance duties, a relaxed Hough joined the festivities while another pianist serenaded the room. Guests sipped cocktails and took photos with an impressive violin-shaped ice sculpture that towered over the buffet table. They dined on a smorgasbord of sliced beef tenderloin, cold poached salmon, an assortment of charcuterie, vegetables, and a menagerie of mini desserts.
FWSO president Keith Cerny presents the Medal of Honor to Louella Baker Martin.Photo by Karen Almond
At the appointed time, FWSO president and CEO Keith Cerny read a heartfelt letter from Martin's daughter about her mother's passion for arts and philanthropy. And then, to a standing ovation, he awarded Martin with the FWSO Medal of Excellence.
Those in attendance, showing their appreciation, included patrons and board members Jennifer Cerny, Charlotte Robinson, Connie Beck, John H. Robinson, Frank Tilley, Dr. Amy Tully, Dr. Jim Tully, Fran Cash, Ervin Cash, David Parker, Nancy Parker, Fred Rabalais, Adrienne Blaylock, Chris Messer, Lou Ann Blaylock, Dr. Emily Messer, Dotty Hall, Quynh Lu, Henry Lu, Marianne Auld, Neva Cecere, and Dr. Joseph Cecere.
A large contingent of FWSO musicians enjoyed the party, as well, including concertmaster Michael Shih, Qiong Hulsey, Molly Baer, Jennifer Y. Betz, and many more.
Proceeds from the Opening Night Celebration go toward advancing the mission of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
FWSO's next presentation will be "Symphonic Stories: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland," in which ballet dancers from Bruce Wood Dance will join the orchestra to bring Joby Talbot’s celebrated musical interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to life. Performances will take place September 19-21 at Bass Hall.
Photo by Karen Almond
Jennifer Cerny, Keith Cerny, Robert Spano, Louella Baker Martin
