Join us for a celebratory evening of classical music as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the triumphant conclusion of its 2026 season. Featuring musicians from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO), this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar.

The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: A Hollywood Finish

Experience a journey through the late Romantic tradition and the birth of cinematic sound with:

  • Piano Quintet in E Major, Op. 15 (1921): Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s masterpiece is defined by showstopping virtuosity and soaring melodies that reflect the opulence of the Golden Age
  • Powerful selections from the world of film scores, seamlessly bridging the gap between classical idioms and narrative impact

The Performers: Collaborative Excellence

This exceptional evening features five world-class performers, including premier SLSO talent. WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods has curated this exceptional program, selecting pieces that reflect the mission of the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The ensemble will bring technical brilliance and emotional depth to these cornerstone works.

Thematic Connection: From Prodigy to Premiere

Before becoming a legendary film composer, Korngold was an Austrian prodigy praised by Richard Strauss. Much like a grandmaster calculating a complex endgame, Korngold’s Quintet requires intense focus and strategic precision to navigate its notoriously difficult passages, making the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries the perfect stage for such a triumphant finale.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

  • 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
  • 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods
  • 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

  • Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
  • Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members.
  • Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.
  • Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.