NC Symphony Offers Summertime Treat with Four Tchaikovsky Masterpieces

Majesty and a little mystery cap an evening dedicated to one of music's most beloved composers as 16-year-old piano phenom Conrad Tao joins Maestro William Henry Curry and the North Carolina Symphony to present "Swan Lake at Symphony Lake," Saturday, June 25. Part of the Symphony's Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series, the outdoor celebration of Tchaikovsky takes place at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary's Regency Park at 7:30 p.m. Children 12 and under are free.

The most gifted Russian composer of his era, popular enough to be handpicked to lead the inaugural concert at New York's Carnegie Hall, Tchaikovsky and his works still figure into show-stopping concert finales throughout the country and world. As a special summer treat, your Symphony offers a unique experience: four powerhouse Tchaikovsky works in one sitting.

The program touches all facets of Tchaikovsky's versatility as a composer, opening with the charming Polonaise from his opera Eugene Onegin and continuing with several selections from his ballets. Concertgoers will enjoy selections from one of Tchaikovsky's most romantic and mystical scores, Swan Lake-including the legendary and thrilling opening scene and waltz-followed by the Polacca from Sleeping Beauty.

Then Conrad Tao helps close out the program by performing for the very first time in Koka Booth Amphitheatre Tchaikovsky's iconic Piano Concerto.

Hailed by renowned music critic Harris Goldsmith as "the most exciting prodigy to ever come my way," Tao gave his first piano recital at age four and concerto debut, with the Utah Chamber Music Festival Orchestra, at age eight. He has since skyrocketed into national renown, not only for his virtuoso skill on two instruments (piano and violin) but as a composer.

"It would be silly to advise keeping an eye out for Conrad Tao, or to suggest that this young man is going places," wrote Joshua Kosman in the San Francisco Chronicle in 2008. "He's already there, and he's only going to get better."

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.

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.

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.

Concert/Event Listing:

North Carolina Symphony

Swan Lake at Symphony Lake

William Henry Curry, Resident Conductor and Summerfest Artistic Director

Conrad Tao, piano

June 25, 2011, 7:30pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Regency Park, Cary

Program Listing:

North Carolina Symphony

Swan Lake at Symphony Lake

William Henry Curry, Resident Conductor and Summerfest Artistic Director

June 25, 2011

Polonaise from Eugene Onegin

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Music from Swan Lake

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Scene - Waltz - Hungarian Dance - Neapolitan Dance - Prelude to Act III - Final Scene

Polacca from Sleeping Beauty

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso

II. Andantino semplice

III. Allegro con fuoco

Conrad Tao, piano