The North Carolina Symphony has announced its 2019/20 season in Southern Pines, featuring seven exciting concerts—available for purchase in many different combinations for the first time.

Titled A Season of Celebration, this concert season will be Grant Llewellyn’s 16th and final as Music Director; Llewellyn becomes Music Director Laureate in 2020/21.

Honoring Llewellyn’s extraordinary tenure and artistic leadership, the Symphony will bring star soloists such as violinist Philippe Quint and pianist Lukáš Vondráček to Southern Pines.

The season also looks toward the Symphony’s future, with the appearances of exceptional guest conductors including audience favorite Rune Bergmann, who first appeared in Southern Pines with NCS in 2018.

NCS will perform repertoire that showcases the incredible artistic heights the orchestra has reached over the course of Llewellyn’s tenure. Highlights include Elgar’s “Enigma” Variations, Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, and Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade

For Llewellyn’s final Southern Pines appearance as Music Director in January, he will lead a program of British music close to his heart—works by Elgar, Britten, Purcell, Vaughan Williams, and Sally Beamish.

“In my final season as Music Director of this great orchestra, it will be my privilege to hear the insights that our incredibly talented musicians will bring to our repertoire,” says Llewellyn. “In crafting this season’s programs and inviting our spectacular guest artists, it is my hope and belief that my favorites will be favorites for our audiences, as well.”

By popular demand, the Symphony will also present three pops programs in Southern Pines—including an evening of Rodgers & Hammerstein classics hosted by Oscar Hammerstein III, grandson of the famous librettist; Star Wars & More!featuring some of John Williams’ best film scores; and a Southern Pines family tradition, Holiday Pops.

NCS is offering a greater variety of season-ticket options in Southern Pines than ever before. The full-season package (seven concerts) is the best deal, with the greatest savings per concert.

Classical lovers may purchase a package offering the four classical concerts on the season, while pops lovers have the option to purchase a three-concert pops package. Amatinee series of two classical concerts is also available.

For those wanting to mix and match concerts, the Choose Your Own package offers complete flexibility. Season-ticket subscriptions are on sale now.

Individual concert tickets will go on sale August 19. Student ticket prices (for students ages 26 and under) and group rates (for groups of 10 or more) are available.

The Symphony’s longstanding and valued presence in Southern Pines and Moore County also includes free music education programming, aligned with the statewide curriculum set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Approximately 2,000 Moore County elementary school students will experience North Carolina Symphony Education Concerts in February 2020. NCS leads the most extensive music education program of any symphony orchestra, serving 70,000 students across the state of North Carolina annually.

Southern Pines season at Lee Auditorium, Pinecrest High School:

 Enigma Variations | September 29, 2019 | 3pm | Classical Series | Matinee Series

Opening Night begins with the grand Mozart Symphony No. 31, which made him the toast of Paris. Elgar’s “Enigma” Variations offer one delight after another, as he shares musical portraits of friends and family with humor, tenderness, and sweeping emotion. This season-opener begins with Grace Mary Williams’ Sea Sketches—a depiction of the Welsh coast, composed just miles from Grant Llewellyn’s childhood home.

Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 | October 13, 2019 | 3pm | Classical Series | Matinee Series
Philippe Quint’s jaw-dropping virtuosity and poetic artistry will shine in the Barber Violin Concerto’s lightning-fast moments and lush, song-like passages. His violin also sings in a suite of Charlie Chaplin favorites, which Quint had a hand in arranging for his latest album. Featuring the return of guest conductor Rune Bergmann, the program builds to a triumphant conclusion with Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, known as his “victory symphony.”

Holiday Pops | December 23, 2019 | 7pm | Pops Series

Start your season out on the right note! Join the Symphony for a spectacular evening of beloved traditional and popular music, including music from The Polar Express and The Nutcracker—plus a sing-along celebration of the season.

Grant Conducts Britten & Elgar | January 30, 2020 | 8pm | Classical Series

Join Grant Llewellyn for his final performance in Moore County as NCS Music Director. Grant will share some of his English favorites, including Elgar’s Serenade, Op. 20, and Britten’s Simple Symphony.

A Rodgers & Hammerstein Celebration | March 5, 2020 | 8pm | Pops Series

Starring Oscar Andy Hammerstein III, grandson of the beloved librettist and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, this concert celebrates the legendary duo’s brilliant music with songs from South PacificThe Sound of MusicState FairThe King and ICarousel, and Oklahoma!.

Scheherazade | April 16, 2020 | 8pm | Classical Series

Guest conductor Michał Nesterowicz shapes the sumptuous melodies and exotic soundscapes of Scheherazade, Rimsky-Korsakov’s epic symphonic poem based on the tales of One Thousand and One Nights. The program opens with Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2—a virtuosic dazzler of bold strokes and robust colors—performed by Lukáš Vondráček.

Star Wars & More! | May 26, 2020 | 8pm | Pops Series

Enjoy John Williams’ epic scores, including Jurassic ParkRaiders of the Lost ArkStar Wars, and more—plus, a few surprises from the Golden Age of Hollywood and beyond!

HOW TO PURCHASE

Season-Ticket Packages or Individual Tickets

Online:ncsymphony.org (TicketMaster fees apply)

By phone:877.627.6724 ($8 processing fee applies)

In-person:NCS State Headquarters Offices (3700 Glenwood Ave., Suite 130, Raleigh).

Individual Tickets Only, Beginning August 19

The Country Bookshop (140 NW Broad St., Southern Pines)

Campbell House (482 E Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines)

Tufts Archives (150 Cherokee Rd., Pinehurst)

 

Courtesy photo/Contributed.

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