Charleston, WV - The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) continues its 2022-23 season and Music Director search April 22 with Renewal in Charleston.

On Saturday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Clay Center in Charleston, guest conductor and candidate for the WVSO’s next Music Director, Maurice Cohn will lead the orchestra through a program featuring music from Vivaldi, Beethoven, Angélica Negrón, concluding with a performance of Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra.

“I’m thrilled to be coming to the West Virginia Symphony next week as part of the 2022-2023 music director search,” said Music Director candidate Maurice Cohn. “Getting to know this organization has been an absolute joy, and I’m excited to finally meet everyone in person. Great music tells stories and connects all of us, and our concert on April 22nd will have something for everyone, spanning music from 1700s to the 21st century.”

Fan-favorite guest artist, Rachel Barton Pine, will make her return to Charleston to join the orchestra for Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. Barton Pine thrills international audiences with her dazzling technique, lustrous tone, and emotional honesty. With an infectious joy in music-making and a passion for connecting historical research to performance, Pine transforms audiences’ experiences of classical music. Pine has performed with the world’s leading orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Camerata Salzburg, and the Chicago, Vienna, and Detroit Symphony Orchestras.

The Elliot Foundation Symphonic Series concert is made possible by the generous support of the Elliot Foundation, Manpower, and the Cecil I. Walker Charitable Trust. Concert tickets start at $13 and are available at wvsymphony.org or by calling 304.561.3570.

As part of the Music Director candidate’s week, the community will have several chances to meet and chat with Cohn, including an event at Short Story Brewing Company in downtown Charleston on Monday, April 17 from 4 - 6 p.m. and open rehearsals occurring on Thursday, April 20, Friday, April 21, and Saturday, April 22. The WVSO will also host Batons, Bites, and Insights, a lunchtime lecture with Cohn on the Clay Center Stage on Thursday, April 20 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Attendees should enter through Walker Theater and are encouraged to bring a bag lunch to enjoy throughout the talk.

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical and pops concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 84th season, the WVSO is a proud member of the community and enriches the region by providing affordable, high-quality concerts, collaborations with West Virginia arts organizations and a nationally award-winning education program.

MAURICE COHN - SCHEDULE OF THE WEEK

April 17 - 22, 2023

Subject to change. Please visit wvsymphony.org for updates

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

7:30 - 8:30 a.m. | Vandalia Rotary Presentation, Edgewood Country Club, Charleston

Thursday, April 20, 2023

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Baton, Bites, and Insights - Clay Center stage (bring-your-lunch lecture, free & open to the public)

3 - 4 p.m. | Edgewood Summit Presentation, Edgewood Summit, Charleston

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. | Open House, Green Room, Clay Center

7 - 9:30 p.m. | WVSO Open Rehearsal - Clay Center

Friday, April 21, 2023

4 - 6:30 p.m.   | WVSO Open Rehearsal - Clay Center

8 - 10:30 p.m. | WVSO Open Rehearsal - Clay Center

Saturday, April 22, 2023

10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | WVSO Open Rehearsal - Clay Center

6:30 - 7 p.m. | Pre-Concert Talk - Clay Center stage

7:30 - 10 p.m. | Renewal Concert - Clay Center