North Carolina Symphony Pub Series Returns This Monday

The 2011/12 edition of the North Carolina Symphony's Pub Series, the popular and relaxed dinner concerts featuring small ensembles of Symphony musicians, return for two final installments beginning this Monday.

First, Symphony musicians Elizabeth Beilman, Rebekah Binford, Jimmy Gilmore, David Marschall and Jeremy Preston present "Celtic Aires" at Buku in downtown Raleigh this Monday, April 16. Dinner service begins at 6:00 p.m., with the concert starting at 8:00 p.m.

The program features legendary movie composer Bernard Herrmann's Souvenirs de Voyage, a warm and nostalgic clarinet and string quartet that became the composer's final concert work. Drawing inspiration from English and Irish artists including poet A.E. Housman and painter J.M.W. Turner, the piece is a romantic departure for Herrmann, and it certainly gives concertgoers a different view of the creative force behind the music to film classics Psycho, Vertigo and Citizen Kane. 

Also included in the lineup is a medley of traditional Celtic tunes arranged by the Symphony's own long-time clarinet, Jimmy Gilmore. These musical delights will be paired with Buku's unique take on world cuisine. The menu, just announced, includes herb-encrusted roast pork tenderloin and barley and dried currant salad, complete with whiskey toffee pudding for dessert. 

Tickets are still available for "Celtic Aires" ($65, including dinner). Visit the North Carolina Symphony website at www.ncsymphony.org or call North Carolina Symphony Audience Services at 919.733.2750 or toll free 877.627.6724. Buku is located at 110 E. Davie St. in Raleigh.