Scott Weiss, conductor
Pre-concert talks before each concert take place at 6:45 p.m. on the Koger stage.
The USC Symphony Orchestra announces its 2019-2020 season, showcasing the extraordinary musical talent in the USC School of Music. Join us for what promises to be a dazzling season of orchestral music in the Koger Center for the Art.
All concerts take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Koger Center for the Arts. Valet parking is available.
Opening Night at the Symphony
Thursday, September 26, 2019
featuring violinist Elena Urioste
Elena Urioste, hailed by The Washington Post as “a drop-dead beauty who plays with equal parts passion, sensuality, brains and humor,” was recently selected as a BBC New Generation Artist and has been featured on the covers of Strings and Symphony magazines. She has given acclaimed performances with major orchestras throughout the United States, and has regularly performed as a featured soloist in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium and has given recitals in such distinguished venues as the Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Kennedy Center, Konzerthaus Berlin, Sage Gateshead, Bayerischer Rudfunk Munich and Mondavi Center.
BERLIOZ Roman Carnival Overture
JOHN ADAMS Christian Zeal and Activity
GABRIELA LENA FRANK 3 Latin American Dances
KORNGOLD Violin Concerto
Bohemian Rhapsody
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
featuring clarinetist Karel Dohnal
A tireless and enthusiastic promoter of clarinet as of a solo instrument and one of the most respected clarinetists today, Karel Dohnal performs concert and studio recording compositions of revealing dramaturgy. Dohnal played to audiences in many countries of Europe, Asia, North and South America, performing in chamber recitals and under the accompaniment of orchestras such as Prague Philharmonia and many others.
SMETANA The Moldau
FRANÇAIX Clarinet Concerto
MOZART Symphony No. 38 in D major “Prague”
Mahler and Beethoven
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
featuring pianist John O’Conor
"A pianist of unbounding sensitivity" (Gramophone); "He represents a vanishing tradition that favors inner expression and atmosphere over
showmanship and bravura" (Chicago Tribune); "Impeccable technique and musicality ... it would be hard to imagine better performances" (Sunday Times - London); "This artist has the kind of flawless touch that makes an audience gasp" (Washington Post); "Exquisite playing" (The New York Times).
The Irish pianist John O'Conor studied in his native Dublin, in Vienna with Dieter Weber and being tutored by the
legendary Wilhelm Kempff. His 1st Prize at the International Beethoven Piano Competition
in Vienna in 1973 opened the door to a career that has brought him all around the
world.
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor
MAHLER Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor
Rising Stars
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
featuring winners of the Concerto-Aria Competition
Winners and program to be announced.
Alumni Spotlight
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
featuring Nové Deypalan, guest conductor; Blair Francis, flute
Nové Deypalan is recognized as an award-winning conductor in the U.S. and Europe. He received the Special Commendation Award in conducting competition in London with the London Classical Soloists in January 2016. In February 2014, Deypalan was a Prize Winner and awarded the Highest Distinction in the International Masterclass “Conducting Tchaikovsky” with the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic in Russia. He was a two-time winner of the International Conductors Workshop and Competition in Georgia, USA in 2012 and 2013. In February 2012, he premiered Fang Man’s “Dream of a Hundred Flowers” at Carnegie Hall in New York.
The recipient of numerous awards, Blair Francis was selected as a prizewinning finalist in the Young Artist Competitions of the Florida Flute Association and the South Carolina Flute Society. In 2010 she was selected as a winner of the National Flute Association Masterclass Performers Competition. She has been an instrumental fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center, Music Academy of the West, Sarasota Music Festival, Brevard Music Center, and Eastern Music Festival, where she earned a review in the CVNC Arts Journal in North Carolina for her performance of Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe.
MOZART Flute Concerto No. 1 in G major
BRAHMS (orchestrated by Schoenberg) Piano Quartet in G minor
Season Finale
Thursday, April 23, 2020
featuring Neil Thomson, guest conductor; J.D. Shaw, horn
"With his precise and embracing gestures, Neil Thomson knows how to give space to
his orchestras creating inspired moments in concentrated integration with the musicians." (Nelson Rubens Kunze. concerto.com.br, abril 2014).
Since March 2014 Neil Thomson has served as Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Goiás Philharmonic
Orchestra in Brazil. The orchestra has rapidly developed a reputation for its dynamic
performances, its wide-ranging repertoire (with a special emphasis on Brazilian and
contemporary music). In December 2018 the orchestra performed the South American debut
of Messiaen's monumental "Des Canyons aux Étoiles." This was a highlight in development
of the orchestra and an extremely important moment in the history of Brazilian orchestral
music.
J.D. Shaw's horn could melt the polar icecaps, while the entire band pours it on in
a molten manner. (All About Jazz Magazine)
J.D. Shaw is associate professor of horn at UofSC and was formerly the French hornist with
the internationally acclaimed Boston Brass where he was creative director, music arranger
and co-owner of the ensemble. Shaw is an active solo artist and travels extensively
throughout the United States and many countries in North America, Europe and Asia.
He has also been a featured performer on National Public Radio's Performance Today
and the CBS Morning Show.
VILLA-LOBOS Prelude from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4
KURT ATTERBERG Horn Concerto in A major
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 7 “Leningrad”
Season subscriptions
Save with a season subscription (6 concerts) and enjoy the best seats in the house:
$150.
Season discounts: $110 senior citizen / military / USC faculty and staff; $45 students.
Current subscribers may renew their subscriptions in person or online now.
Concert tickets
Individual concert tickets go on sale August 1.
Purchase online at kogercenterforthearts.com.
General public - $30
Seniors / military / USC faculty and staff - $25
Children under 18 and non-USC students with ID - $8
USC Students - free with student ID - must be picked up from the Koger Box Office (corner of Park and Greene) before
5:00 p.m. on the day of the performance or in the Koger Center lobby immediately prior
to the performance.
Purchase tickets
Save internet fees by buying In person at the Koger Box Office, corner of Greene and
Park Streets (M-F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Buy online at kogercenterforthearts.com.