Join us on Friday, November 21, departing from the front commons at 6:30 pm for Symphonic Journey with Rick Steves:

Enjoy four magnificent works of music by three composers from near the turn of the 20th century, yet each one unique in their own right: the French Lili Boulanger and Camille Saint-Saëns and the Russian Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Zuill Bailey, one of the top cellists in the world, will join the CSO as guest soloist. Also featured will be Yuriy Bekker, who in addition to other roles, has been Concertmaster of the CSO since 2007.

Scheherazade, the symphonic suite inspired by The Thousand and One Nights, is a masterful interplay between the villainous Sultan and the heroine Scheherazade. The former is expressed in the low brass and woodwinds, while the latter is passionately represented by solo violin. Rimsky-Korsakov, seeking a narrative for his work and knowing the true value of good storytelling, delivered a stunning musical mix of exotic, valiant, seafaring, celebratory, and fantasy.

William Eddins, Music Director Emeritus of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and a frequent guest conductor of major orchestras worldwide, returns to conduct the Charleston Symphony.