FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2026
Contact: Jenni Shrum,
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
(405) 231-0145
jenni@okcphil.org
Worlds of Wonder Media Photos
“Immersive concert journey from the darkness of Mussorgsky to the celestial beauty of Whitacre, the power of Led Zeppelin and the hope of Fauré”
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Philharmonic invites audiences to experience music on a monumental scale with Worlds of Wonder, Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Center Music Hall.
Led by Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate, the concert takes listeners on an immersive journey through darkness, mystery, light, and transcendence. The program brings together Mussorgsky’s haunting Night on Bald Mountain, Eric Whitacre’s celestial Deep Field, Led Zeppelin’s iconic “Stairway to Heaven,” and the profound beauty of Fauré’s Requiem.
“This concert goes from the earth to the stars and beyond,” said Alexander Mickelthwate. “Each work creates its own extraordinary world, from the supernatural energy of Mussorgsky and the vastness of the universe in Deep Field to the emotional power of Led Zeppelin, which will move us beyond and the peaceful, luminous beauty of Fauré’s Requiem. It will be an unforgettable journey for both the audience and orchestra.”
Joining the OKCPHIL are soprano Emily Reeves Bohl, baritone Mark Billy, guitarist Jay Gleason and the Windsong Chamber Choir.
The evening opens in darkness with Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain, a dramatic orchestral depiction of a supernatural gathering on a mountaintop. Recognized by generations of audiences for its appearance in Disney’s Fantasia, the work surges with sinister energy before giving way to the quiet arrival of dawn.
Whitacre’s Deep Field turns the concert hall toward the heavens. Inspired by images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, the work combines orchestra, chorus, and audience participation to convey the breathtaking scale of the universe. Concertgoers are encouraged to download the free Deep Field app before arriving. During the performance, their phones become part of the immersive soundscape, surrounding the concert hall with shimmering electronic sounds.
The orchestra then crosses musical boundaries with “Stairway to Heaven,” Led Zeppelin’s legendary rock anthem, featuring Jay Gleason on guitar. The performance reveals the sweeping musical architecture and emotional intensity that have made the song an enduring classic.
The program concludes with Fauré’s Requiem, featuring Reeves Boil, Billy, and the Windsong Chamber Choir. Unlike traditional requiems centered on fear and judgment, Fauré’s beloved work offers a vision of serenity, comfort, and eternal rest. Its radiant final movement, “In Paradisum,” brings the evening’s journey from shadow into light.
CONCERT DETAILS:
Worlds of Wonder
Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
Civic Center Music Hall
201 N. Walker Ave., Oklahoma City
Alexander Micklethwate, conductor
Emily Reeves Bohl, soprano
Mark Billy, baritone
Jay Gleason, guitar
Windsong Chamber Choir
PROGRAM:
- MUSSORGSKY: Night on Bald Mountain
- WHITACRE: Deep Field
- LED ZEPPELIN: “Stairway to Heaven”
- FAURÉ: Requiem
Pre-concert talk with Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate begins at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are available for purchase at tickets@okcphil.org or by calling (405) 842-5387.
About the Oklahoma City Philharmonic
Founded in 1988, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic has inspired audiences for more than three decades through exceptional orchestral performances, innovative programming, and meaningful community engagement. Under the direction of Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate, the orchestra presents Classics, The Chickasaw Nation Pops, Discovery Family Concerts, and a wide range of educational and community performances. The Oklahoma City Philharmonic’s mission is to provide musical experiences that inspire, connect, and strengthen our community, ensuring the transformative power of music is accessible to everyone. For more information, contact us at okcphil.org, 501 Couch Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.
For more information, visit okcphil.org.
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