Apr 4 & 6
Greensboro Symphony Orchestra: Italian Inspirations
Dmitry Sitkovetsky, conductor; Xavier Foley, double bass

Respighi: The Birds
Bottesini: Double Bass Concerto No. 2 in b-minor
Schubert: Symphony No. 4 in c-minor

So many great classical composers have come from Italy, and many more have been inspired by visits there or by its music. The Greensboro Symphony presents a concert titled Italian Inspirations, and those include Ottorino Respighi’s delightful suite The Birds, and an intriguing Double Bass Concerto in b-minor by Giovanni Bottesini.  You’ll also hear Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 4 in c-minor, so join us for some inspiration of your own.

Apr 11 & 13
South Carolina Philharmonic: Springtime & Shaw
Morihiko Nakahara, conductor; Tessa Lark, violin

Mozart: Symphony No. 36 in C, “Linz”
Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D

The marvelous South Carolina Philharmonic has a concert from its Masterworks series for us.  It’s Springtime & Shaw, featuring Mozart’s Symphony No. 36 in C, “Linz,” as well as one of the most respected of all works for violin—Beethoven’s  Violin Concerto in D, with Tessa Lark in the solo violin spot.  The orchestra also has two shorter works for you to enjoy, so please make sure to join us for this edition of Carolina Live.

Apr 18 & 20
Western Piedmont Symphony: Full Circle
John Gordon Ross, conductor; Hickory Choral Society; Lenoir Rhyne A Capella Choir; Catawba Valley Community College Chamber Ensemble; Carolina Whisnant, soprano; Janice Wilson, mezzo-soprano; Benjamin Werley, tenor; Adrian Smith, ball-baritone

Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in d-minor “Choral”

The Chamber Project: 88 Keys and a Reed
Matthew Hanna, clarinet; Christopher Tavernier, piano

Debussy: Girl With the Flaxen Hair
Clair de Lune
Premiere rhapsodie
Poulenc: Sonata
Ravel: Piece en forme de Habanera
Chopin: Ballade No. 1
Jeanjean: Guisganderie

The longtime, highly-respected former conductor of Hickory, North Carolina’s Western Piedmont Symphony, John Gordon Ross, began his 27-year tenure with the orchestra with a performance of Beethoven’s “Choral” Symphony No. 9.For his final performance with the orchestra he once again featured that towering work, with help from the Hickory Choral Society, Lenoir Rhyne A Capella Choir, gifted soloists and more.  You’ll hear that, then enjoy highlights from a virtual concert presented by clarinetist Matthew Hanna and pianist Christopher Tavernier.  It’s a French-inspired group of works by Debussy, Ravel, Poulenc and more, so join them for 88 Keys and a Reed.

Apr 25 & 27
Greenville Symphony Orchestra: Strauss Squared
Edvard Tchivzhel, conductor

R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben
J. Strauss Jr.: Overture to Die Fledermaus
Set of Waltzes and Polkas

 Two supremely talented Strausses provide the music for this edition of the program.  Richard Strauss’ heroic music is front and center with his major work Ein Heldenleben, and Johann Strauss Jr.’s rich treasure trove of music provides the Overture to Die Fledermaus and the Emperor, Voices of Spring and Blue Danube Waltzes, plus shorter delights such as the Pizzacato and Hunt Polkas.  Two quite different Strausses, but a consistent musical delight for you…

May 2 & 4
Broyhill Chamber Ensemble

Beethoven: Sonata No. 8 in G
Brahms: Piano Quintet in f-minor

Western Piedmont Symphony: Masterworks IV
John Gordon Ross: conductor

Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3 in a-minor

The annual Appalachian Summer Festival in Boone, NC, is famous for the quality of its chamber music offerings. The Festival’s resident chamber music group is the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble, who begin this week’s edition of Carolina Live with Beethoven’s Sonata No. 8 in G and also play Beethoven’s Piano Quintet in f-minor. You’ll then hear Felix Mendelssohn’s delightful Symphony No. 3 in a-minor, his “Scottish” symphony, played by the Western Piedmont Symphony. Enjoy the variety on this show.

May 9 & 11
Winston-Salem Symphony: Rachmaninoff’s First Piano Concerto
Martin West, conductor; Alexander Kobrin, piano

Mendelssohn: Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in c-minor
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty Suite

Colour of Music
Lee Pringle, Artistic Director
Bruch: Violin Concerto – finale

Grimbert-Barre: Tribal Triple Concerto for String Trio &
Orchestra

Martin West is guest conductor as the Winston-Salem Symphony presents music by three legendary composers. There’s Felix Mendelssohn’s Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream, Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty Suite and Sergei Rachminonoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in c-minor. The latter features guest pianist Alexander Kobrin. Then there’s music from Charleston’s Colour of Music Festival, with a movement from Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto and Paris-based composer Johnathan Grimbert-Barre’s Tribal Triple Concerto for String Trio and Orchestra.

May 16 & 18
Greenville Symphony Orchestra: Tcheers for Tchaikovsky
Edvard Tchivzhel, conductor; Do-Hyun Kim, piano

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor
Symphony No. 5 in F-minor

Two major works by Tchaikovsky fill a stirring concert by the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. Conductor Edvard Tchivzhel has chosen the Russian great’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor with guest pianist Do-Hyun Kim, then follows that with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in F-minor. Both are well-known and popular works, and they’re yours to enjoy on Carolina Live.

May 23 & 25
Rutherford Chamber Consort: …and the Daffodils Bloomed o’er the Lea
Sharon Lawrence, Artistic Director

Mozart: Quintet in Eb
Dvorak: Bagatelles
Brahms: Sextet in G Major

The always-dependable ensemble the Rutherford Chamber Consort provides the music for this Carolina Live. From a concert titled …and the Daffodils Bloomed o’er the Lea we’ll hear a Quintet in Eb by Mozart, the delightful set of five Bagatelles by Antonin Dvorak and the masterful Sextet in G Major by Johannes Brahms. It’s a chamber music treat for you, so don’t miss it.

May 30 & June 1
Winston-Salem Symphony: The Rite of Spring
Timothy Redmond, conductor; Brian French, trombone; David Wulfeck, trombone; Erik Salzwedel, Bass trombone; Matt Ransom, Tuba

Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D Major
Higdon: Low Brass Concerto
Haydn: The Representation of Chaos from The Creation
Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring

Timothy Redmond made his debut as Conductor of the Winston-Salem Symphony in a richly diverse concert. You’ll hear Mozart’s Symphony No. 35, Jennifer Higdon’s intriguing Low Brass Concerto, The Representation of Chaos from Haydn’s The Creation and Igor Stravinsky’s groundbreaking The Rite of Spring. It’s a fascinating blend for you to enjoy on Carolina Live.

June 6 & 8
South Carolina Philharmonic: Reimagining Vivaldi
Morihiko Nakahara, conductor; Mary Lee Taylor Kinosian, violin

Vivaldi-Richter: The Four Seasons Recomposed
R. Strauss: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
Anderson University Concert Choir: Choral Compilation
Richard A. Williamson, director
Lauridsen: O Magnum Mysterium
Gjeilo: Prelude
Cohen: Night Cadence
Trotta: Veni, Veni Emmanuel
Whitaker: Lux Aurumque

This edition of Carolina Live features both outstanding symphonic music and excellent choral offerings from the Palmetto State. The South Carolina Philharmonic has a concert titled Reimagining Vivaldi, which features that composer’s The Four Seasons Recomposed, then you’ll hear music from Richard Strauss’ Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, inspired by his admiration of Jean Baptiste Lully. The choral component of the program comes from the Choral Department of Anderson University, featuring a compilation of performances from the school’s Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. Among the composers represented are Morten Lauridsen and Eric Whitaker.

June 13 & 15
Winston-Salem Symphony: Center Stage
Timothy Redmond, conductor

Gershwin: Cuban Overture
Elgar: Cello Concerto
Broyhill Chamber Ensemble: Music – So What’s the Story?
Enescu: Aubade Lointane
Janacek: Sonata for Violin and Piano
Dvorak: String Quartet in F Major – “American
Quartet”

Timothy Redmond is the still-rather-new conductor of the Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra, but in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic he has managed to bring music to his audience. We have a live-streamed concert by the orchestra, who’ll play George Gershwin’s Cuban Overture and the haunting Cello Concerto of Edward Elgar. The Broyhill Chamber Ensemble presents a trio of chamber gems by Georges Enescu, Leos Janacek and Antonin Dvorak in a concert titled Music: So What’s the Story? Find out for yourself on Carolina Live.

June 20 & 22
Greensboro Symphony: Vivaldi, Bach & Company
Dmitry Sitkovetsky, conductor; Julia Zilberquit, piano

Copland: Suite from Appalachian Spring
Vivaldi/Bach: Concerto in A-minor for Piano & Strings
Concerto in D-minor for Piano & Strings
Bach: Marcello Adagio
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 9 in E-flat

There’s a teaming of two monumental composers on this Carolina Live. The two are Antonio Vivaldi and JS Bach, and their combined talent and inspiration drive
two Concerti for Piano & Strings. The guest pianist is the heralded Julia Zilberquit. You’ll also enjoy a Suite from Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland and a strong work by Dmitri Shostakovich, his Symphony No. 9 in E-flat. Wonderful music, with the Greensboro Symphony in fine form.

June 27 & 29
South Carolina Philharmonic: Serenade for Strings
Morihiko Nakahara, conductor

Montgomery: Banner
Walker: Lyric for Strings
Esmail: Teen Murti

Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C Major
The South Carolina Philharmonic returns to the concert hall with a fascinatingly diverse concert. You’ll hear Banner by Jessie Montgomery, Lyric for Strings by George Walker, Reena Ismail’s Teen Murti and the delightful Serenade for Strings in C Major by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. As always, Music Director and conductor Morihiko Nakahara has put together a unique program, so please join us and enjoy it.