South Carolina Philharmonic launches 26/27 Capital Concert Series

With Love, the Best of the Romantic Period: October 17 at the Koger Center for the Arts

The South Carolina Philharmonic launches its 62nd season of Capital Concerts—formerly known as the Masterworks Series—this fall with a performance celebrating the Romantic era of music. With Love, the Best of the Romantic Period will take place on October 17.  This is the first in a six-concert 2026–2027 season built around distinctive themes and musical journeys. From Beethoven & Blue Jeans (January 9, 2027), which celebrates the legendary composer’s legacy on the 250th anniversary of his death to The Golden Age of Hollywood (February 6, 2027), showcasing the unforgettable music behind many of cinema’s most enduring classics, Capital Concerts promise audiences an eclectic season that connects beloved music with the stories, eras, and ideas that shaped it.

“Season 62 is a wonderful reflection of what makes live orchestral music so exciting,” said Rhonda Hunsinger, Executive Director of the South Carolina Philharmonic. “Each concert offers something distinctive, from powerful performances of beloved masterpieces to music that transports us to different eras, places and moments in history. This is a season made to be experienced together, and we look forward to welcoming audiences throughout the Midlands.”

With Love, the Best of the Romantic Period brings together works by three towering figures of the era: Giuseppe Verdi, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Johannes Brahms. Spanning roughly 1830 to 1910, the Romantic period in Western classical music was shaped by the broader Romantic movement in art and literature, embracing emotional expression, individualism, imagination, and a willingness to push beyond the conventions that had defined earlier musical traditions.

“These works from some of the greatest Romantic composers allow us to showcase our deep emotional engagement with music, something I believe the musicians of the South Carolina Philharmonic excel in.” Said Morihiko Nakahara, Music Director of the South Carolina Philharmonic. “Verdi’s Overture to La Forza del Destino is more extraverted. It immediately grabs our attention with an ominous brass fanfare and packs so much drama in seven minutes. Both works by Rachmaninoff and Brahms contain elements of conflict, turmoil, and resolution. One can see an arc of struggle to ultimate triumph in the Rachmaninoff, but Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 strikes me as a journey of acceptance. It is a profound and fascinating musical journey, and I cannot wait to tackle its many challenges with our musicians and share its rewards with our audience.”

Among the featured works is Sergei Rachmaninoff’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 2, performed by the South Carolina Philharmonic with guest pianist William Wu. At just 17 years old, Wu is already making a name for himself as a rising talent in classical music. A first-prize winner of the 2025 Arthur Fraser Concerto Competition, he has performed at some of the nation’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. For Columbia-area audiences, the performance offers a chance to experience Wu’s artistry alongside the Philharmonic in a work widely regarded as a cornerstone of the late-Romantic repertoire.

Individual concert tickets are available through the Koger Center for the Arts box office. For those looking to enjoy multiple performances throughout the season, the South Carolina Philharmonic offers a “Compose Your Own” subscription inviting subscribers to curate their own season by choosing four or more events including the Capital Concerts and the Home for the Holidays performance. Visit the South Carolina Philharmonic’s website(opens in new tab) for additional information and subscription details.

SOUTH CAROLINA PHILHARMONIC MISSION: The South Carolina Philharmonic is committed to performing live symphonic music and providing dynamic educational opportunities in the Midlands. We carry forward a legacy of passion for the music and embrace our responsibility to be a vibrant part of the cultural fabric of our diverse community.

For more information about the South Carolina Philharmonic, please visit SCPhilharmonic.com(opens in new tab) or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.