West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces the 21-22 Season of Full, Live Performances

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (4/27/21) –The WV Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) plans a return to full concerts for its 2021-22 season and announces the departure of its 10th Music Director, Larry Loh, at the end of the next season.

“We are so excited and energized by the phenomenal series of concerts, composers, and guest artists that we have assembled for the 21-22 season,” said Joe Tackett, President of the WVSO. “The theme of this season is Embracing Harmony which will focus on diverse composers and performers, and at the end of the season we will say a fond farewell to our beloved Music Director of five seasons, Maestro Lawrence Loh.” 

The 21-22 season will complete Loh’s term with the WVSO. During his tenure, Loh made strides in expanding the WVSO’s repertoire and programming music of contemporary and diverse composers. 

“I look forward to celebrating the highly anticipated return to live performances with the wonderful musicians of the WVSO.  We have missed the audience so much! We need live music now more than ever, and I know that this very special season will have an impact on lives all over West Virginia. I’m so proud of all that the musicians and I have accomplished together and am confident that exciting things are in store for the WVSO’s future,” said Loh.

“After a challenging year due to the global pandemic, we want to thank our many supporters, our musicians, and, of course, Larry Loh for his leadership,” said WVSO Board President Cindy McGhee. “We celebrate his successful tenure as we return to live performances.”

 “Opening Night” at the Clay Center on October 16, 2021 kicks off the Elliot Foundation Symphonic Series. The evening’s concert will showcase the premiere of local composer Matt Jackfert’s “Social Dissonance” which focuses on the current atmosphere in the country. Cellist Sterling Elliott, a winner of the 2019 Sphinx Competition which champions young Black and Latinx performers, joins the Symphony for a performance of Haydn’s Concerto in D Major, and the concert wraps up with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sheherazade.

The Nov. 13 concert brings a “Celebration of Keys” to the Clay Center. Fan-favorite pianist Jon Nakamatsu returns to perform Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 2 in C minor. Also featured is modern composer Adolphus Hailstork’s work, “An American Port of Call.” Rounding out the evening will be Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 in D Major.

On Jan. 15, 2022, along with the Happy New Year, comes a collaboration with the West Virginia Youth Symphony which will join members of the orchestra on stage for a beloved side-by-side of Beethoven’s Overture to Fidelio. Astral Artist and flute player, Annie Wu will make her Charleston, WV debut to perform Kevin Puts’ Flute Concerto. The program will conclude with a performance of Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 in C Major.

The WVSO’s fourth symphonic concert on Feb. 12, 2022, begins with the West Virginia premiere of Reena Esmail’s Black Iris (#metoo), a modern, emotional piece surrounding the #metoo movement. Guest artist Timothy Chooi, violin, joins the orchestra for Korngold’s Concerto in D Major, while the concert closes with the Enigma Variations by Elgar.

April 2, 2022 welcomes the return of the WV Symphony Chorus for an epic performance of Mozart’s Requiem. Also included in the program is Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ Symphony No. 2 in D Major and Brahms’ Variations on a Theme of Haydn.

The 2021-2022 Elliot Foundation Symphonic series comes to a close and we say our farewell to Maestro Loh on April 30 with a performance of up-and-coming Dallas composer Quinn Mason’s “Toast of the Town” and Rachmanioff’s Concerto No. 3 in D minor for piano featuring Natasha Paremski. The program concludes with a presentation of the romantic era classic, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

The ZMM Architects & Engineers Pops Series begins with a return of a celebrated holiday tradition, Sounds of the Season. The Dec. 4 show will offer a selection of fun, holiday favorites, and, of course, a visit by Jolly Old Saint Nick.

The hits of Broadway come to Charleston on February 26, 2022, with Blockbuster Broadway! Celebrate show-stopping tunes from the biggest Broadway blockbusters of all time! Spend an evening with songs you love from "Wicked”, "Jersey Boys”, "The Lion King”, “Cabaret" and more performed by a trio of New York's top vocalists. It is the ultimate show tune extravaganza and a musical night you'll never forget!

On March 19, 2022, an epic battle will take place between Harry Potter and Star Wars. This concert features music from all nine “Star Wars” and all eight “Harry Potter” films! With music by John Williams, along with Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper, and Alexander Desplat, this concert will take you on a fantastic journey through the wizarding world of Harry Potter and to a galaxy far, far away. The audience is encouraged to wear their favorite wizard robes or Star Wars costumes. Please note: this concert will be presented without films.

The ZMM Pops Series concludes with Michael Bolton and the WV Symphony on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, co-presented with the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences. Bolton will take the stage to perform classics like “When a Man Loves a Woman”, “Said I Love You…But I Lied”, and more!

The WVSO also will present two additional concerts in 2021. In collaboration with the Charleston Ballet, the WVSO will present The Nutcracker on Dec. 11 at 2:00 & 7:30 p.m. The West Virginia Symphony with the Symphony Chorus will present Handel’s Messiah on Dec. 18. Both the Nutcracker and Handel’s Messiah will be performed on stage at the Clay Center.

Series subscription sales, which range from $116 to $561, will be available Monday, May 10. Single ticket sales will begin in early fall. For more information, please visit wvsymphony.org, contact Marketing Director Amanda McDonald, amcdonald@wvsymphony.org, or call the Clay Center box office at 304.561.3570.

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops, and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently entering its 83rd season, the WVSO is a proud member of the community and enriches the region by providing affordable, high-quality concerts, collaborations with West Virginia arts organizations and a nationally award-winning education program.

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