The All-Star Orchestra airs Mondays at 10PM beginning Oct. 13

The All-Star Orchestra, now in its second decade, gives you a front row seat to the world’s greatest music and the map to an unforgettable musical journey. It began with a commitment to classical music education and contemporary American composers. The series features classical masterpieces and new works from leading contemporary American composers, aiming to expose a broad audience to classical music while keeping the listening experience informative and accessible. In addition to performances of classical and contemporary works, the programs also feature musical excerpts, images, interviews and educational commentary by Maestro Schwarz, the All-Star Orchestra musicians, and special guests.

“What started as a passion project to put together some of the best musicians in the country is now a first-rank orchestra entering its second decade,” said Maestro Schwarz. “The repertoire is great, and each player’s performance is first-class, but what matters the most is the inspiration that we can provide to viewers across the country through public TV. We hope to show you, no matter your background, age, career, or where you are in your life, something interesting about this music that perhaps you didn’t know — something that will grab your attention and inspire you to dig deeper into each piece, or each composer.”

The season begins with the ultimate Romantic pairing: a full symphony orchestra with a magnificent organ. French composer Camille Saint-Saëns created his “Organ Symphony” in 1886, and it has thrilled audiences worldwide ever since. The program opens with Mexican composer Carlos Chávez’ Sinfonía india, from 1931, featuring authentic melodies of indigenous peoples and native percussion instruments of Aztec heritage.