Newly Minted Gilmore Award Winner Performs with North Carolina Symphony

By: Jun. 23, 2011
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The North Carolina Symphony welcomes 16-year-old piano phenom Conrad Tao to its Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series for an all-out celebration of Tchaikovsky, "Swan Lake at Symphony Lake," at Koka Booth Amphitheatre this Saturday, June 25, at 7:30 p.m. And as of today, he brings a special accolade with him.

Daniel R. Gustin, director of the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, announced today that Tao is one of two 2012 recipients of the prestigious Gilmore Young Artist Award. Tao and his co-honoree George Li "were selected for the Award by an anonymous panel based on their artistry and their potential to establish professional careers as concert pianists," according to a statement by The Gilmore.

Presented every two years, the award aims to single out the most promising new U.S. pianists. Each Gilmore Young Artist receives $15,000 to further their musical career and educational development, as well as a $10,000 commission for a new piano work to be composed for them. Candidates are not aware that they are under consideration, and the anonymous selection committee evaluates them over a period of time.

Tao joins the North Carolina Symphony, under the baton of Resident Conductor William Henry Curry, to perform Tchaikovsky's iconic First Piano Concerto, a composition deemed unplayable when it was first submitted by the composer. It has become one of the most beloved and sensational piano concertos in the classical music repertoire.

Also in the program is the charming Polonaise from Tchaikovsky's opera Eugene Onegin, as well as several selections from the composer's most famous ballets, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty.

General admission lawn seating to "Swan Lake at Symphony Lake" is $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Covered table seating is also available for $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free to all Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series concerts.

The Whole Foods Market of Cary Picnic of the Week contest continues at "Swan Lake at Symphony Lake," as the Symphony's roaming judges award the weekend's best picnickers with a $100 gift basket from Whole Foods. Two honorable mentions recipients will take home $20 Whole Foods gift cards.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre is located at 8003 Regency Parkway, just off the intersection of US-1 and US-64/Tryon Road, in Cary. Food and beverages, including wine and beer, are allowed on the grounds.

About the North Carolina Symphony

Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony performs over 175 concerts annually to adults and school children. The orchestra travels extensively throughout the state to venues in over 50 North Carolina counties. Under the artistic leadership of Music Director and Conductor Grant Llewellyn, Resident Conductor William Henry Curry and Associate Conductor Sarah Hicks, the orchestra employs 67 professional musicians.

Based in downtown Raleigh's spectacular Meymandi Concert Hall at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts and an outdoor summer venue at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, N.C., the Symphony performs about 60 concerts annually in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary metropolitan area. It also holds concerts in Fayetteville, New Bern, Southern Pines, Wilmington and many other North Carolina communities throughout the year.

For tickets, program notes, podcasts-or just to get to know your Symphony's musicians-visit the North Carolina Symphony Web site at www.ncsymphony.org. Call North Carolina Symphony Audience Services at 919.733.2750 or toll free 877.627.6724. The State of North Carolina has issued your Symphony an $8 million challenge; learn more at www.ncsymphony.org/challenge.

 

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