With Love, the Best of the Romantic Period
Welcome to the heart of Romantic music.
Guest Artist
William Wu, piano (First Prize, 2025 Arthur Fraser Piano Competition)
7:30 PM
Koger Center for the Arts
Program Overview:
Verdi: Overture to La Forza del Destino
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2
Brahms: Symphony No. 3
Description:
An evening of sweeping emotion and irresistible melody, this program draws you into the heart of Romantic music. Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 — one of the most beloved works ever written — unfolds with passion, intensity, and unforgettable beauty. Paired with Verdi’s dramatic overture and Brahms’ richly layered symphony, this is music that must be felt live.
About William Wu:
Wu, 17, is a senior at St. Albans School in Washington D.C. and has studied piano at Levine Music with Mariana Alekseyeva since 2018. He won First Prize and Best Performance of a Solo Work at the 2025 Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, and was a 2025 National YoungArts Award winner in Classical Music/Piano, the Virginia State Winner in the 2024 MTNA Senior Piano Division, the Grand Prize Winner of the 2024 Piano Star International Competition, and first place in 2024 VMTA Concerto Competition. He made his professional orchestra debut with the Gulf Coast Symphony playing Rachmaninoff's Second Concerto in April of 2026.
A special thank you to our Notes for Notes sponsors:
Verdi: Overture to “La Forza del Destino” sponsored by Barbara A. Costa
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 sponsored by Bobbi & Jeff McKeever
Brahms: Symphony No. 3 sponsored by Lee Minghi in memory of Julian
William Wu's performance sponsored by Joseph Bruce
This concert is supported by funding from our grantors:
Ticketing Pro-Tip
All Koger Center tickets incur a $2 “Restoration Fee” per ticket. All tickets sold online or over the phone incur a sliding scale convenience fee (phone fee is lower). You can avoid internet and phone fees by visiting the Box Office in person.
Koger Box Office:
806 Park St, Columbia, SC 29201
(Free parking spots directly in front of Box Office window on Park St.)
Phone: 803-251-2222
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 PM
Please note, all single tickets for Koger events must be bought through Koger Center. Do not buy tickets from any other vendors because they will not be honored.
Parking
The Koger Center for the Arts is located in downtown Columbia at the corner of Assembly and Greene Streets, 1051 Greene Street. Parking is available at the Discovery Garage behind the building (usually around $10), accessible off Park Street. Additional garages and street parking are located at least one block away, which is a further walk to the theater but may help you avoid the pre-concert rush.
Dining & Hotels
There are excellent restaurants and hotels in the downtown and surrounding areas for every budget.
Restaurants
- 1801 Grille
- Blue Marlin Steaks & Seafood
- Bourbon Columbia
- COA Agaveria y Cochina
- Hall’s Chophouse
- Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Ale House
- Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe
- M Vista
- Mr. Friendly's New Southern Cafe
- Motor Supply Co. Bistro
- Pearlz Oyster Bar
- Ristorante Divino
- Terra
Columbia Hotels
New to Symphonic Music?
Here are a few pointers on what to expect.
Other Ways to Purchase
There are other ways to purchase single concert tickets through the Koger Center Box Office.
By Phone
- Charge by phone at 803.251.2222.
- Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.
- American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa accepted.
- Additional charges applicable.
- Single tickets are not available through the SC Philharmonic office.
In-Person at the Koger Center
- Located at 806 Park St., Columbia SC 29201
- Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.
- Accept cash, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
- No additional fees for in-person purchases.
Concert Night
- Purchase any remaining tickets at the Koger Center ticket kiosk on concert night starting one hour before each concert.
Morihiko's Pre-Concert Lecture
Live on the 2nd Level of the Koger Lobby at 6:30 PM before the concert. A FREE in-depth look at the program from our conductor!
Need to Renew?
If you would like to renew your season tickets, please email us, or call our office at 803.771.7937. We are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.
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