NASHVILLE, TN — When one of the nation’s most prolific conductors offers their praises of a city’s orchestra, it speaks volumes for their quality. Anthony Parnther has led many of the world’s foremost symphony orchestras. The list includes the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Royal Scottish National Orchestra. In the 2026–27 season, he makes his London Symphony Orchestra debut with the world premiere of David Önaç’s “Atlantic Requiem,” featuring J’Nai Bridges, Orson Van Gay II, and the BBC Singers, as well as returning to the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and Chineke!, which he leads at Germany’s Heidelberg Frühling Festival and London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Parnther has also collaborated on multiple occasions with the Nashville Symphony, and is returning to that role on September 22. He will be conducting the Symphony during “Respect in Concert.”
This is a celebration of the legendary Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, with the Nashville Symphony joining the International Black Film Festival at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
The cinematic concert experience includes a screening of the film with a live score performed by the Nashville Symphony. It follows Franklin’s career from a young child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom. The film, which was released in 2021, starred Jennifer Hudson and was directed by Liesl Tommy. The screenplay was written by Tracey Scott Wilson.
“The Nashville Symphony Orchestra is one of the finest in the world, and it’s also a great thrill for me to work with them,” Parnther told the Tribune during a recent phone interview. “Plus, you can’t find a better place to conduct than the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The acoustics are incredible. What continues to drive me is the opportunity to be involved with great music, and that is certainly the case with the music in “Respect.” Anthony Parnther’s resume is extraordinary, both in terms of conducting and collaborations. He has worked with such artists as Jon Batiste, Joshua Bell, Julia Bullock, Cynthia Erivo, Randall Goosby, Lynn Harrell, Jennifer Holliday, Wynton Marsalis, Anthony McGill, Jessye Norman, Leslie Odom Jr., Cécile McLorin Salvant, and Frederica von Stade. He has premiered and recorded works by Pulitzer Prize laureates Anthony Davis, Michael Abels, Julia Wolfe, George Walker, and Lewis Spratlan.
But he’s also equally acclaimed for his work with soundtracks, having been involved with such iconic works as “Star Wars,” “Avatar,” “Ghostbusters,” “Black Panther,” “Transformers,” “Creed,” “Minions,” “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” “Ice Age,” “PAW Patrol,” “League of Legends,” “American Dad!,” “Looney Tunes,” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” His recording credits also include the Academy Award-winning films “Oppenheimer” and “Sinners,” the Grammy Award-winning animated musical “Encanto,” and the Emmy Award-winning series “The Mandalorian.”
If that wasn’t enough, Parnther is also a world-class soloist as a bassoonist. In that role, he’s worked with such famous composers as John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri, Thomas Newman, James Newton Howard, Alexandre Desplat, Michael Giacchino, John Powell, and Randy Newman. His bassoon playing has been featured on hundreds of film, television, and video game scores, including as the featured solo bassoonist on “Only Murders in the Building,” “Looney Tunes,” and “Animaniacs.”
“I’m always intrigued with and searching for opportunities to make great music,” Parnther concluded. “”Respect” is one of the experiences I treasure.”
The Nashville Symphony Respect in Concert begins September 22 at 7:30 p.m. The Schermerhorn Symphony Center is located at One Symphony Place.
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