5 days Ago
In February 2025, the College of Charleston Orchestra will have the experience of a lifetime performing on one of the most prestigious stages in the world — Carnegie Hall. Their performance, together with performances by the Charleston Symphony and Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra, will give the New York City audience a taste of the cultural jewels of Charleston. Charleston locals don’t have to travel all the way to New York to enjoy the sounds of the College’s prestigious orchestra.
Conductor Yuriy Bekker has planned an exciting sendoff concert in Charleston, on Dec. 2, featuring repertoire that the orchestra will perform at Carnegie Hall. It includes selections from Dvořák's New World Symphony, which premiered at Carnegie Hall in 1893, and a world-premiere composition by College of Charleston professor Yiorgos Vassilandonakis.
“I am thrilled that we’ll perform works from our upcoming Carnegie Hall tour,” stated Bekker. “Professor Vassilandonakis is so accomplished. It’s always exciting when someone composes something specific for our group,” mentioned Bekker.
“As an orchestra, we get to take ownership as this piece has been written just for us. Professor Vassilandonakis has a personal connection to us, and the orchestra takes great pride in premiering this work.” In addition, the concert will shine light on the College’s award-winning faculty musicians.
Bekker says that he is “especially excited that this concert puts our own faculty musicians in the spotlight. Violinist Lee-Chin Siow and cellist Natalia Khoma will be featured in a performance of a selection from Brahms' Concerto for Violin and Cello. This work is a blockbuster, showcasing the soloists and the orchestra, with the orchestral tutti sections being especially elaborate.
In a way, it is like a miniature symphony with two soloists.” Watch the CofC Orchestra perform on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at 7:30 p.
m. at the Sottile Theatre, 44 George St. Tickets are $25-$45 for general admission with discounts available for CofC students/faculty/staff.
.
