SPO -- Season Schedule

2011-2012 Masterworks Concert Season

All Masterworks Concerts take place at Converse College's Twichell Auditorium and begin promptly at 7:00 pm.
MASTERWORKS I: Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra 9/11 COMMEMORATIVE CONCERT Saturday, September 10, 2011 / Featuring James Maddalena, Baritone Fuchs — Falling Man (WORLD PREMIERE) Copland — Fanfare for Common Man Mozart — Ave Verum Corpus Faure — Pavane pour une Infante Défunte Faure — Cantique de Jean Racine Paying tribute to the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra presents an evening of somber and patriotic selections honoring modern heroes. Highlights include the world premiere of composer Kenneth Fuchs’ song cycle for baritone and orchestra titled “Falling Man.” James Maddalena (MET Opera) is the featured artist. Performance also includes Spartanburg Festival Chorus and Choir of First Responders contributing several traditional favorites, including America the Beautiful, Shenandoah, God Bless America, the National Anthem, and the Armed Forces Medley. Call (864) 948-9020 to order your Season Tickets.

MASTERWORKS II: Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra Saturday, October 22, 2011 / Featuring Mimi Stillman, Flute Haydn – Symphony No. 104, "London" Vivaldi – Piccolo Concerto, C major Borne – Fantaisie Brillante (Themes from Carmen) Kodaly – Dances of Galanta At age 12, Stillman was the youngest wind player ever admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied with Julius Baker and Jeffrey Khaner and received her Bachelor of Music degree in 1999. In her role as Artistic and Executive Director of the Dolce Suono Ensemble, founded in Philadelphia in 2005, Stillman has presided over the establishment of a highly regarded and pioneering force in the music world. Dolce Suono Ensemble enriches lives through dynamic performances, innovative programming, and the commissioning and performance of important contributions to the chamber music repertoire. She is one of the most highly acclaimed flutists in the concert world today. For more information visit the featured artist's website. Call (864) 948-9020 to order your Season Tickets.

MASTERWORKS III: Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra Saturday, January 28, 2012 / Featuring Sarah Johnson, Violin and Mary Irwin, Violin Horner – Titanic Medley (arr. Moss) Bach – Concerto for Two Violins Sibelius – Symphony No. 2, D major SPO Concertmaster and Principal Second Violin, Johnson and Irwin take center stage in Bach’s popular violin concerto that epitomizes the Baroque Period. Johnson commands respect wherever she performs, with glowing reviews from the Washington Post ("charming and skilled") and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ("dazzling"). On the 100th Anniversary of the Titanic's tragic ending, we celebrate the bravery of bandleader Wallace Hartley and his eight-member ensemble. After the Titanic hit an iceberg and began to sink, they began playing music to help keep the passengers calm as the crew loaded the lifeboats. Many of the survivors said that he and the band continued to play until the very end. None of the band members survived. Masterworks III culminates in Sibelius’ most loved symphony. Call (864) 948-9020 to order your Season Tickets.

MASTERWORKS IV: Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra Saturday, February 25, 2012 / Featuring Augsburger Geigenbande Mozart – Sinfonia Concertante Poulenc – Sinfonietta Various – Bavarian Folk Music, Fiddle Music, The Beatles The Augsburger Geigenbande, comprised of internationally recognized Schwamm family members from Germany, perform a wide array of musical styles with repertoire that stretches across five centuries: from Baroque to the Beatles. And the press is taking notice. Augsburger Regional newspaper raves that they're "skillful, tasteful, and full of passion." On Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante Katharina Schwamm (violin) and Teresa Schwamm (viola) lead out. The Spartanburg Philharmonic performs with the Augsburger Geigenbande during Mozart and Poulenc, but after intermission we let go of the reigns. Our cross-cultural experiment takes flight as the Schwamms break out Bavarian folk music, fiddle music, and even some classics from the Beatles! Call (864) 948-9020 to order your Season Tickets.

MASTERWORKS V: Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra Saturday, March 31, 2012 / Featuring George Li, Piano Tarrodi – Zephyros (US Premiere) Liszt – Piano Concerto No. 1 Beethoven – Symphony No. 3, "Eroica" Winner of countless awards, including the 2010 Cooper International Piano Competition, 16-year-old George Li has gained significant attention as a recitalist and soloist. He continues to gain astounding recognition worldwide, including TV appearances on the “Martha Stewart Show” (ABC) and the Discovery Channel's "Prodigies & Masters of Tomorrow" series. This will be Li's second time performing with the Spartanburg Philharmonic! Tarrodi’s composition Zephyros is based on the 1918 poem "Song to the Wind of the West" by Swedish poet Dan Anderson. We're thrilled to be presenting the US Premiere of the piece; the music will stir your imagination. For more information visit the featured artist's website. Call (864) 948-9020 to order your Season Tickets.