The South Carolina Philharmonic will launch its 62nd season of Capital Concerts, formerly known as the Masterworks Series, Oct. 17 with a performance celebrating the Romantic era of classical music.
The six-concert 2026-2027 season features distinctive themes and musical journeys connecting audiences with the stories, eras and ideas that shaped music. Upcoming performances include Beethoven & Blue Jeans on Jan. 9, 2027, celebrating the composer’s legacy, and The Golden Age of Hollywood on Feb. 6, featuring music from some of cinema’s most enduring classics.
“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.”
The Oct. 17 concert, With Love, the Best of the Romantic Period, features works by Giuseppe Verdi, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Johannes Brahms. Spanning roughly 1830 to 1910, the Romantic period emphasized emotional expression, individualism and imagination while pushing beyond the conventions of earlier classical music.
“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, the orchestra’s music director.
Nakahara described Verdi’s Overture to La Forza del Destino as an attention-grabbing work that opens with an ominous brass fanfare and delivers dramatic intensity in seven minutes. He said Rachmaninoff’s and Brahms’ works explore conflict, turmoil and resolution, although each reaches a different emotional destination.
“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,” Nakahara said. “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.”
The program includes Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring guest pianist William Wu. At 17, Wu is an emerging talent in classical music. He won first prize in the 2025 Arthur Fraser Concerto Competition and has performed at prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
Individual concert tickets are available through the Koger Center for the Arts box office. The Philharmonic also offers a “Compose Your Own” subscription, allowing patrons to select four or more performances, including Capital Concerts and the Home for the Holidays concert.
For tickets, subscription options and additional information, visit SCPhilharmonic.com.
