Brevard's Classical Showcase
Violinist Gil Shaham
Now in its 74th season, the Brevard Music Center Summer Institute and Festival presents more than 80 concerts showcasing their repertoire along with guest artists including cellist Yumi Kendall and violinist Gil Shaham. The festival runs through Sunday, Aug. 8.
This summer’s highlights include Rave On!, a new show paying homage to rock 'n' roll legend Buddy Holly, a variety of orchestral programs celebrating the music of Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart, and a concert highlighting favorite arias from famous operas.
“We have an excellent roster of visiting conductors and guest artists,” says Dr. Bruce Murray, dean and artistic administrator for Brevard Music Center. “We are playing a lot of big pieces this summer in our three orchestras including Ein Heldenieben by Richard Strauss, Brahms’ Symphonies No. 1 and No. 3, Beethoven's Eroica, and The Planets by Holst.”
Murray says that the Brevard Music Center Summer Institute and Festival is able to present some artists who don't appear often in the state or the region. “The conductor Matthias Bamert and the pianist Jean Louis Steuerman are traveling from Europe to perform at Brevard,” he says. “Of course, our artistic director Keith Lockhart conducts all over the world, but in North Carolina these days it's mostly in Brevard.”
Murray’s other highlights are a chamber music series including a performance by the Harlem String Quartet and a performance of all ten Beethoven violin sonatas featuring William Preucil.
Founded in 1936, Brevard Music Center gives students the opportunity to better understand and prepare for the professional world of music. Each year it welcomes 400 students, ages 14 and older, and 65 distinguished faculty artists for an intensive program of study and performance.
Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Brevard Music Center is located on 180 acres of land with two lakes, providing a picturesque location for a picnic supper on the lawn followed by a concert.
Prices for single tickets range from $15 for lawn seats to $45 for orchestra seats. Packages range from mini-series starting at $90 to a full season subscription for $500 with some weekend specials.
For more information or to order tickets, visit their website or call (828) 862-2105 or (888) 384-8682.