Collaborations among artistic disciplines can yield more than the sum of their parts. Next weekend's collaboration between the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago promises to do that.

Dance, in all its forms, is the running theme in the SLSO's season, making this program a natural element. It's a return engagement for Hubbard Street, which was a sellout in its first visit here in 2009.

The dance company works regularly with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; that's where SLSO music director David Robertson first encountered it, as a guest conductor with the CSO. He has now collaborated with Hubbard Street for a half-dozen years, taking away something new each time.

"The St. Louis orchestra, much more than almost any orchestra I know, is really delighted with projects where their music resonates beyond the usual," Robertson says. "They're inspired by the connection their music makes with other art forms, and the way they feel inspired by the other people with whom they perform."

The admiration is mutual.

"Working with David Robertson and the St. Louis Symphony is just a thrill for us," says Glenn Edgerton, Hubbard Street artistic director.

"To have such talents at your back, enhancing the art form that you know so well, it makes you want to give it your best, to live up to the music. There's that excitement — I wouldn't say it's even nerves so much as wanting to achieve their finest (work). Working with Robertson — it doesn't get better than that."

Asked if it's at all nerve-racking to dance in close proximity to the expensive musicians, Edgerton replies. "I always say, 'Just make sure you don't run and fall into a musician.'"

He pauses. "That was just a joke. That would never happen."

Because of budgetary constraints, Hubbard Street customarily uses recorded music, which makes the company's orchestral programs even more special to them.

"It's much more alive when you have a conductor and musicians working with you," Edgerton says. "It makes you listen harder, listen longer."

It's not unheard of to have a dancer or two perform with an orchestra. Bringing in a company of 16 dancers, as next weekend's program will, is rare.

"The last piece is really a full-group piece," Edgerton says. "The stage will definitely be full."

The program alternates works — by Mozart, J.S. Bach and Stravinsky — played by the orchestra alone with three choreographed pieces.

First is "Arcangelo," choreographed in 2000 by Nacho Duato. It uses 10 selections by Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713) and Alessandro Scarlatti (1616-1725) for its duets and solo dances.

There are also two works prepared in 2011. The first is "twice (once)," with choreography by Terence Marling, set to "Within Her Arms," a new work by Anna Clyne.

"The choreographer keeps changing it," Edgerton says. "For us, it's interesting to see how that changes, how that varies."

The other, and the program finale, is "Toccata e due canzoni," with music by Bohuslav Martinù and choreography by Alejandro Cerrudo, from Hubbard Street's most recent collaboration with the CSO.

"It's got a little bit of humor in it, some nice lighter moments in it," Edgerton says. "It's a good piece to finish with."

Edgerton enjoys the additional scenic element of having the orchestra onstage, "of seeing the musicians all moving and playing together. That's a beautiful visual element as well."

The same program will be performed at all four concerts.

"It's always different, the dancers stretch themselves," Edgerton says. "It's the same with the music. It's all the beauty of live theater." David Robertson, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

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When • 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m. Feb. 18 and 3 p.m. Feb. 19

Where • Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand Boulevard

How much • $27-$120

More info • stlsymphony.org or 314-534-1700