Conway Symphony Orchestra plans opening night Oct. 23

The Conway Symphony Orchestra opens its 28th season with a performance at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas.

Opening night features Jue Wang, an international-award winning pianist, performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, plus Beethoven’s thrilling Symphony No. 5, which audience members are guaranteed to recognize from the first four notes.  

Tickets, which are $6 for students and children, and $20-$38 for adults with group rates available, are available at the Reynolds Box Office, by calling 501.450.3265 or at ConwaySymphony.org.

Jue Wang has been called “the most exciting young pianist yet to emerge from China” (The Independent), and the New York Times noted, “He coaxes an impressive range of colors from the instrument with virtuosic and expressive ease.”

Born in Shanghai, Jue has been performing since age 10, and was the First Prize and Gold Medal winner of the Paloma O’Shea International Piano Competition in 2008. He has made successful debuts at New York’s Carnegie Hall and London’s Wigmore Hall, as well as many other prestigious venues around the world.

Jue’s appearance with the Conway Symphony Orchestra is supported by the College of Fine Arts and Communication Artist in Residence Program at UCA.

“This is a concert not to be missed, with music that is beloved around the world,” said conductor and music director Israel Getzov. “Jue shines his brightest when he plays Chopin, and this piano concerto is the perfect vehicle to showcase his talents. Plus, the CSO will no doubt raise the roof with Beethoven’s Fifth!”

Season tickets are still available at the box office, and include three additional performances:

  • Tinsel and Tutus holiday concert – 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, with highlights of The Nutcracker by the Arkansas Festival Ballet, plus the Central Arkansas Children’s Choir and holiday favorites.
  • Sabor de America Latina (A Taste of Latin America) – 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, with music from diverse cultures south of the border, and guest artist Rick Dimond.
  • A Classical Homecoming – 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, with violin virtuoso and Conway native Curt Thompson performing Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, plus Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

Single tickets are also available for all performances, and for the Enchanting Tales children’s concert at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9. All performances are at Reynolds Performance Hall at UCA.

Now in its 28th season, the Conway Symphony Orchestra brings professional concerts, exciting guest artists and high-quality music to the Central Arkansas community. For more information on concerts and other programs, visit ConwaySymphony.org or call 501.269.1066.