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Symphony Donates Instruments to Charlotte Schools Dec 19, 2014

BY ANDY SMITHHe wasn't Santa Claus, but Chris Stonnell did come bearing gifts for students at Albemarle Road Middle School and Sugar Creek Charter School. On Thursday, Charlotte Symphony's director [..] Read More


Pops ‘Christmas’ has different kind of magic this year Dec 5, 2014

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra has trimmed and tightened the annual "Magic of Christmas" concert this year: no poetry recitation, no aerial dancers interpreting carols, no semi-classical [..] Read More


Charlotte Symphony celebrates the magic of Christmas Dec 2, 2014

The Charlotte Symphony celebrates the excitement of the holidays with five performances of Magic of Christmas Thursday, December 4 through Sunday, December 7 at Belk Theater.
Albert-George [..] Read More


Bo Thompson Interviews Albert-George Schram Nov 22, 2014

Click to listen to interview [..] Read More


Five Questions with Cirque Musica Nov 21, 2014

BY ANDY SMITH
High-flying aerialists, balancing acts, and the orchestra come together for Charlotte Symphony Pops: Cirque Musica. The traveling show Cirque Musica comes to the Belk [..] Read More


Next generation of Wallendas in Pops Cirque Musica Nov 20, 2014

By Courtney DevoresCorrespondentFor some families, it's a given that the children will likely follow in the footsteps of their ancestors.For seventh-generation circus performer Lyric Wallenda, [..] Read More


Unplugged and Totally Uncut Lyric and Rietta Wallenda Nov 15, 2014

On the high wire with the worlds most famous family of shock and wow. From the I Heart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the infamous Wallenda's!!!!! [..] Read More


Charlotte's Jewel Gleams Again in Brahms' German Requiem Nov 14, 2014

By Perry TannenbaumThree of the ten performances of Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra including the current ones in their 83rd season have been presented in the [..] Read More


A weighty Brahms Requiem leads to lightness of heart Nov 14, 2014

By Lawrence ToppmanThe most remarkable thing about Johannes Brahms' Requiem is that you can conduct and sing it however you want assuming you're passionate and make a profound effect.It can soothe [..] Read More


Series’ First Play Sees Charlotte SO Thrown For Loss Nov 7, 2014

By Perry Tannenbaum

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Brimming with confidence after reporting its first surplus in a dozen years, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra tried something new starting on [..] Read More


Behind the Music: Beth Rennie, CSO Pulse co-president Nov 5, 2014

By Jeff Hahne
Classical music doesn't have to be as stuffy as some stereotypes would have you believe. Recently, Ben Folds performed a concert with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra [..] Read More


Guitarist John Sommers will play in a tribute to the late, beloved John Denver Nov 4, 2014

By Page LeggettJim Curry doesn't try to imitate John Denver when he performs his tribute show. "I'm not Rich Little," he says of the impersonator. "I just sing the way I sing."But his voice sounds [..] Read More


Symphony experiment succeeds musically Oct 31, 2014

By Lawrence Toppman The main thing about any Charlotte Symphony Orchestra concert is usually awhat or a who: the program and the soloist or guest conductor. On occasions, such as the launching of [..] Read More


Tenacity and Triumph: Beethoven's Enduring Appeal Oct 27, 2014

by Meg Freeman WhalenThis weekend's Charlotte Symphony program includes three prominent and important orchestral works: Wagner's Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin, Richard Strauss's Ein Heldenleben (" [..] Read More


Photo Gallery from Bachtoberfest II Oct 26, 2014

View Photo Gallery at Charlotte Observer [..] Read More


Wilson Previews The Heart Of The Home Kitchen Tour Oct 14, 2014

Wilson visited the Symphony Guild of Charlotte as they prep for the Heart of the Home Kitchen Tour.
The home tour will be held Saturday, October 18th from 10am-4pm in the south Charlotte [..] Read More


Asian Invasion Proves to Be Benign and Rewarding Oct 11, 2014

By Perry Tannenbaum
Asian instrumentalists, composers, and conductors aren't the newest phenomena in classical music, yet the number of seats left vacant at Belk Theater when all three [..] Read More


Persuasive pipa player meets potent conductor Oct 11, 2014

By Lawrence ToppmanPeople sometimes ask me why they ought to spend money to attend a classical concert, when they can enjoy music in a dozen other ways. Their answer came Friday at Belk Theater. [..] Read More


Wu Man Plays the Pipa at Waddell Language Academy Oct 9, 2014

Photo Gallery at Charlotte Observer [..] Read More


Wu Man Performs With Charlotte Symphony Oct 6, 2014

Wu Man was introduced to her instrument at the age of 9. While most young musicians with a classical interest gravitate toward piano and violin, Man was paired with the pipa. Of course, the initial [..] Read More


The apostle of the pipa brings world of music to Charlotte Oct 3, 2014

Some revolutions begin with wars. Hers started with love.Wu Man, who comes to Charlotte this week for four concerts, has done for the pipa what Andres Segovia and Ravi Shankar did for the guitar [..] Read More


Ben Folds: Still doing the best imitation of himself Sep 28, 2014

Ben Folds played his piano so hard to open the Charlotte Symphony's Pops season on Saturday night that he broke it.Folds broke it in the middle of the show, switched the set order to an audience [..] Read More


Tune In Sep 26, 2014

When you think of Southern music cities, you probably think of Nashville or Austin. But Charlotteans don't have to travel beyond our city limits to hear world-class talent. We caught up with five [..] Read More


Charlotte Symphony opens season with robustness, delicacy Sep 19, 2014

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra opened its season Friday, canvassing the 19th century from the beginnings of Romanticism Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony to one of its last vigorous gasps, Jean [..] Read More


Charlotte Symphony CEO Discusses Good Financial News, Future Challenges Sep 17, 2014

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will be celebrating more than its season-opening concerts this weekend. The Orchestra announced this week it finished the last fiscal year in the black for the [..] Read More


Ben Folds, Chinese Concerto Accent Symphony Season Sep 15, 2014

The symphony orchestra is a European creation that, arguably, reached its pinnacle in the 19thcentury; so it stands to reason that the Charlotte Symphony's "bread and butter," as [..] Read More


Charlotte Symphony earns first surplus in more than a decade Sep 15, 2014

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra finished in the black last season.Let's repeat that, because it hasn't happened since 2002: The CSO exceeded its $9.4 million budget projection by $71,000 for [..] Read More


2014 Fall Arts Preview Sep 11, 2014

Rock enthusiasts know the music of Ben Folds . Since the 1990s, the Chapel Hill native has thrilled audiences with his kinetic brand of piano-driven tunes. His return to North Carolina on [..] Read More


Symphony Performs Free Uptown Outdoor Concert Sep 10, 2014

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will gift Uptown Charlotte with a free outdoor performance in Romare Bearden Park on Saturday, September 26. The performance will feature an "Americana" theme ( [..] Read More


Fall Arts Preview 2014 Sep 4, 2014

From classical and theater to film and music, we've got you covered.
Full article at Creative Loafing [..] Read More


Fall into optimism at the theater Sep 4, 2014

"Symphony opens strong with Beethoven's Eroica (Sept. 19-20), parlaying familiar works by Sibelius and Dvorak with Beethoven's #3, but the most intriguing fall classics concert is undoubtedly CSO's [..] Read More


Patriotic concertgoers ‘Celebrate America’ Jul 9, 2014

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra's final summer Pops in the Park series on July 3 was soggy because of a rainstorm that put a damper on the festivities for a while. Many of the concertgoers at [..] Read More


Fireworks in the Rain Photo Gallery Jul 4, 2014

Photo by Robert Lahser
Fireworks light up the sky during Summer Pops "Celebrate America!" concert at Symphony Park,SouthPark on Thursday July 3,2014. The Liberty Fanfare, Armed Forces [..] Read More


Symphony concert to conclude at 9:45 p.m., followed by fireworks Jul 3, 2014

Although light rain continued to fall, the Charlotte Symphony's Summer Pops concert at SouthPark started at 9 p.m. Thursday."ON!! We are doing it!," the symphony tweeted at 8:30 p.m.The symphony [..] Read More


More than 12,000 pack Kannapolis for Charlotte Symphony concert, fireworks Jul 3, 2014

Standing on stage, smiling wide, conductor Albert-George Schram of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra told a packed crowd in Kannapolis Village Park what many already thought."There's no better way [..] Read More


Ready to party for the Fourth of July? Jul 2, 2014

You can take your pick from dozens of Independence Day festivals, parades and fireworks displays on Friday. In fact, the celebrating kicks into high gear Thursday evening and runs through the [..] Read More


Leo Soto Reinvents the Classics Jul 1, 2014

Leo Soto is regrouping from a weekend in Chicago with friends. Wearing a blue linen suit, crisp white shirt, and suede driving loafers, he's about to head out the door for coffee at Amélie's Petite [..] Read More


Thousands expected for patriotic show Wednesday in Kannapolis Jul 1, 2014

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra returns to Kannapolis on Wednesday for its annual patriotic show -- a free concert that organizers expect to draw more than 8,000 people to Village Park.The symphony [..] Read More


Wilson's World - July 3 concert feature Jul 1, 2014

If Wilson is dressed in his best tux shirt then you know he is trying to impress...well, in Wilson style, that is. He was at Symphony Park at SouthPark enjoying a popsicle with Albert-George [..] Read More


Summer Pops In The Park, Matt Harris Behind The Scenes Jun 30, 2014

107.9 The Link has been partnered up with The Charlotte Symphony for quite some time now. We're a huge fan of their Summer Pops In The Park event that takes place at Symphony Park! Matt wanted to [..] Read More


7 Ways to Make Your CSO Summer Pops Experience Even More Enjoyable Jun 19, 2014

It just wouldn't be summer in Charlotte without CSO Summer Pops. But before you go, keep these tips in mind.1. The basics: Have a question about tickets, parking, seating, the music program, or [..] Read More


POISE AND PASSION: THE CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Jun 12, 2014

Currently in his fourth season as Music Director of the Charlotte Symphony, Christopher Warren-Green's sensitive interpretation and poised command has earned him the greatest respect throughout the [..] Read More


Charlotte Symphony Summer Pops 06.08.14 Photo Gallery Jun 8, 2014

Full Gallery at Charlotte Observer [..] Read More


Programs across North Carolina use classical music to combat poverty Jun 6, 2014

Can classical music training help lift kids out of poverty? North Carolina nonprofit Kidznoteswas launched in 2010 to prove it can.With the mission to change the life trajectory of at-risk K-12 [..] Read More


Charlotte Symphony’s Albert-George Schram leads two lives Jun 6, 2014

Albert-George Schram bounces onstage with unshakeable confidence, a champion boxer entering the ring. He clasps his arms over his head in the traditional gesture of victory while acknowledging the [..] Read More


Charlotte Symphony’s summer Pops concerts series kicks off Sunday at SouthPark Jun 5, 2014

Wanted: Picnic baskets, mildly overcast weather with a gentle breeze, alcohol in moderation and five dozen musicians in white providing buoyant and bravura music.Unwanted: Stuffy people who insist [..] Read More


Summer Pops series heats up June, welcomes Whole Foods May 28, 2014

Pack a blanket and picnic basket and head out to Symphony Park for an evening of music as the sun sets.The Charlotte Symphony's outdoor Summer Pops series opens June 8 and runs four consecutive [..] Read More


Summer Pops Feature in 'Hola Noticias' May 20, 2014

Click here to view article in 'Hola Noticias' [..] Read More


The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s Carnivale May 8, 2014

Carnivale comes to the Queen City with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra's performance of Saint-Saens' "Carnival of the Animals" and an excerpt from Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" on May 9th at 7:30 p. [..] Read More


Subpar Soloists Don't Wreck Verdi's Requiem May 3, 2014

Verdi's Requiem has now been in Charlotte Symphony Orchestra's repertoire for a full 50 years since they first took it on at Ovens Auditorium in 1964. I've now seen three of CSO's eight [..] Read More


Violent, vivid Verdi ends Charlotte Symphony season May 3, 2014

People sometimes ask me why they should spend money for a Charlotte Symphony Orchestra concert when a recording costs much less (or the same, if you get a balcony seat). The answer came Friday in [..] Read More


Charlotte Symphony brings extra pathos, humor to Chaplin‘s “City Lights” Apr 26, 2014

Many actors have won Oscars for producing, directing or writing, but only one has been nominated for best score: Charles Chaplin, who won in 1973 for "Limelight" and shared the prize with Ray Rasch [..] Read More


Bairos Takes Best Supporting Musician Honors Conducting Score of Chaplin's City Lights Apr 25, 2014

Unless you've already seen Charlie Chaplin's City Lights, the 1931 comedy's universally acknowledged status as an adored masterpiece may have served as the only barrier to your already knowing just [..] Read More


A Century of Charles Chaplin Apr 23, 2014

Before movies had voices, they did two things particularly well: Dramatic stars displayed operatic passions to make you weep, and comedians created physical bits to make you laugh. The most [..] Read More


Education Feature on 'Carolina Impact' Apr 17, 2014

On Thursday April 17, a segment about Charlotte Symphony's education partnership with Northwest School of the Arts, focusing on the students' premiere of Dan Locklair's "Canzona for Music Makers," [..] Read More


Charlotte Symphony’s Russian concert a rich three-course meal Apr 12, 2014

Some concerts are macrocosms, leaping across time and borders. Some are microcosms, such as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra gig Friday at Belk Theater. The CSO played three works composed by [..] Read More


Young Kalia brings veteran touch to Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Mar 30, 2014

The most important five minutes of Roger Kalia's conducting life came in September 2012, when music director Christopher Warren-Green let him take the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for a spin.Kalia [..] Read More


Ulysses Festival draws on Civil Rights Act for inspiration Mar 20, 2014

In 2013, Charlotte's Ulysses Festival celebrated the arts community by using the theme of technology to root itself in the present.This spring, the monthlong festival that began this week leans on [..] Read More


Lunch Arrangements, Charlotte Symphony opens a season of Brown Bag Matinees Mar 16, 2014

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Music Director Christopher Warren-Green spent some time last year speaking to different groups around Charlotte and asking them what they wanted from their symphony. [..] Read More


Hear her Trumpet at Youth Festival Mar 15, 2014

Her mom gave Brooke Kinsey her love of the trumpet, but the Youth Orchestra has honed it.Uniting our community's accomplished young musicians of tomorrow, including Ballantyne's Brooke Kinsey, with [..] Read More


Loving Percussion, Youth Orchestra Mar 15, 2014

Look for Matthews teen's special part in 'The Planets,' alongside the Charlotte Symphony.Uniting our community's accomplished young musicians of tomorrow, including Matthews' Daniel Carpenter, with [..] Read More


Youth Orchestra Inspires Violinist Mar 15, 2014

Hough senior and other teens will play alongside the Charlotte Symphony on April 23.Uniting our community's accomplished young musicians of tomorrow, including Corneilus' Brandon Castillo, with the [..] Read More


Youth Orchestra Inspires Violinist Mar 15, 2014

Liddy Farley with play in the 27th Youth Festival on April 23, alongside Charlotte Symphony.Uniting our community's accomplished young musicians of tomorrow, including Harrisburg's Liddy Farley, [..] Read More


Weaving her Music into Youth Festival Mar 15, 2014

Myers Park High Senior Meredith Nelson has played the violin since the first grade.Uniting our community's accomplished young musicians of tomorrow, including Myers Park's Meredith Nelson, with the [..] Read More


Hough, Charlotte Symphony take new look at old classics Mar 15, 2014

The eighth concert of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra's Classics Series offered three outpourings of joy.It began with a loving tribute from one British master to another, Benjamin Britten's [..] Read More


Stephen Hough is an artist with agile fingers, agile brain Mar 13, 2014

I had a conference call last week with a Grammy-nominated classical pianist, a composer, a poet, an abstract painter, a celebrated British blogger and the devout Catholic author of "The Bible as [..] Read More


Middle-school musicians get tips from a pro Mar 3, 2014

It might have otherwise been a normal day for six eighth-graders at Harris Road Middle School, but on Thursday, they walked into a classroom and played their horns with a Charlotte Symphony player. [..] Read More


Finesse, phantasmagoria at Charlotte Symphony Mar 1, 2014

Forgive me if I devote most of a review to the shortest piece on the Charlotte Symphony program this weekend.Guest conductor Robert Moody handled Hector Berlioz's huge "Symphonie Fantastique" with [..] Read More


Charlotte nonprofit makes music with second-graders Feb 28, 2014

A second-grade class was turned into symphony practice this week at Rama Road Elementary School. There were all types of instruments being played at once. Most of the kids had never seen [..] Read More


Schram Interview on Feb 19, 2014

Albert George Schram talks with WRFX's Arroe Collins about the "Broadway Rocks!" performances. Listen Now [..] Read More


Itzhak Perlman: A masterpiece, a missed opportunity Feb 17, 2014

If you attended Itzhak Perlman's performance Saturday night at Belk Theater, you heard a revelatory rendition of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor. I couldn't find a recent video of him that [..] Read More


Perlman makes us hear Mendelssohn with new ears Feb 16, 2014

Classical music critics have argued for almost 170 years whether Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor ranks among the greats. For me, the argument ended Saturday night at Belk Theater.A [..] Read More


Sibelius, Strauss anchor 2014-’15 season Feb 8, 2014

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra's 2014-15 season first took shape 150 years ago in a sleepy Finnish city, in a cultured German capital and on the bloody battlefields of the United States of America [..] Read More


Joseph Haydn’s new/old concerto gets its day Feb 7, 2014

Sixty years ago, no orchestra in the world could have given the concert the Charlotte Symphony did Friday night.Before 1961, Joseph Haydn's Cello Concerto in C was lost. Haydn himself had acquired [..] Read More


Symphony’s Lollipops: Teachable, touchable moments Feb 1, 2014

Approach Knight Theater during the hour before a Lollipops concert by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, and the entire building seems to be tuning up.
Snare drums rap out an insistent, [..] Read More


‘The Heart of Motown:’ Sweet soul music indeed Jan 31, 2014

First, we had the Midtown Men paying homage to the Four Seasons, among others. Then, Tony Kishman rocked Knight Theater a la Paul McCartney. Now, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra's series of [..] Read More


Breaking Down the Wall Between Music and Art Jan 27, 2014

The Charlotte Symphony and Bechtler Museum of Modern Art at the Levine Campus of the Arts uptown have partnered together to present a day of music and art for families through the Lollipops Family [..] Read More


Musicians Pair Dinner Courses with Chords Jan 23, 2014

Soft songs from a violin complemented the first course of dinner--shrimp, stuffedpeppers, smoked salmon and prosecco--at Blue Restaurant on November 17.Violinist Martha Geissler opened the Rhapsody [..] Read More


Wilson Gets Classical at Winterfield Elementary Jan 23, 2014

Wilson visited Winterfield Elementary School where he was serenaded by a group of young musical students. The Charlotte Symphony has partnered with the school to bring music to the students [..] Read More


Lightness and just a hint of shadow Jan 12, 2014

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra has begun its mini-season of local principals, paying homage to its own first-chair musicians. Alan Black will solo in Haydn's Cello Concerto in C in February; [..] Read More


The Secret of Christopher Warren-Green Jan 8, 2014

Classical music fans know the white-haired maestro as the leader of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. He'll be back in the saddle Friday after an autumn break, leading a program of Ravel, Debussy [..] Read More


Chamber music thriving in Charlotte Jan 4, 2014

Maybe the best thing about chamber music is that you can watch the players sweat.You can see them grin and grimace, hear grunts of effort and groans of pleasure. They see you, too, because you're [..] Read More


Young Affiliates offer Free Concerts Jan 2, 2014

Young affiliates groups in the cultural world usually find ways to satisfy members' eyes or ears. Some please palates by putting out meals. But Pulse? Pulse literally has their backs.The next time [..] Read More