The North Carolina Symphony, led by conductor Marcelo Lehninger, will perform Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto Thursday, Jan. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 15-16, at 8 p.m., in Meymandi Concert Hall in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh. In addition to the “Emperor” concerto, which features pianist Inon Barnatan, the program will include Brahms “Tragic Overture” and “Suspend,” by Andrew Norman.
Brazilian-born Marcelo Lehninger is Music Director of the New West Symphony Orchestra in Los Angeles. For his work there, he was awarded the Helen M. Thompson Award for Emerging Music Director in 2014 by the League of American Orchestras. He recently concluded an appointment as Associate Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. As a guest conductor Mr. Lehninger has led numerous orchestras in the United States including Chicago, Houston, Baltimore, Seattle, the National Symphony, and Rochester Philharmonic. Orchestras abroad include Lucerne Symphony, Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, and the Orchestre National de France.
Celebrated for the unique approach, probing intellect, and consummate artistry that he brings to a broad range of repertoire, Israeli pianist Inon Barnatan currently serves as the first Artist-in-Association of the New York Philharmonic. This unprecedented three-season appointment sees him appear as soloist in subscription concerts, take part in regular chamber performances, and act as ambassador for the orchestra. Awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2009, Mr. Barnatan has performed extensively with many of the world’s foremost orchestras, including those of Cleveland, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.
In addition to stellar performances, North Carolina Symphony concertgoers can enjoy pre-concert talks, post-concert discussions, and “Meet the Artists,” which feature interactive conversations with guest artists and select orchestra members, at many Symphony events. Before the Chapel Hill performance on Jan. 14, 2016, Dr. Letitia Glozer of UNC will give a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. in Gerrard Hall. Before the evening performance on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, Catherine Brand will host a Meet the Artists session in the Swalin Lobby at 6:30 p.m. Before the evening performance in Raleigh on Jan. 16, 2016, Dr. Jonathan Kramer of N.C. State University will give a pre-concert talk at 7 p.m. in the Swalin Lobby.
Tickets to the Chapel Hill Classical Series performance on Jan. 14, 2016 and the Raleigh Classical Series performances on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 15-16, 2016, range from $18 to $75. Tickets to the Student tickets are $10. Concert tickets at all performances are also available at the door one hour prior to concert start time.
Other 2015-16 season highlights include Stravinsky’s Firebird on Valentine’s weekend, and Beethoven’s Triple and Brahms Double in April, featuring Grant Llewellyn conducting cellist Zuill Bailey, violinist Philippe Quint, and pianist Awadagin Pratt.
Subscriptions to all of the Symphony’s concert series are available online at www.ncsymphony.org/subscriptions or by calling the North Carolina Symphony Box Office at 919.733.2750 or toll free 877.627.6724.
Meymandi Concert Hall is located in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., in Raleigh. Memorial Hall is located at 114 East Cameron Ave., on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The Concert Sponsor for the Jan. 14, 2016 concert in Chapel Hill is Carol Woods Retirement Community.