Celebrate opening weekend with brilliant trumpet showpieces, Berlioz’s festive spirit, and Sibelius’ stirring 2nd Symphony under Assistant Conductor Ryo Hasegawa’s exciting Masterworks conducting debut.
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Celebrate Opening Weekend with your Charleston Symphony!
The 2026-2027 season launches with a celebration of the trumpet featuring Antonio Martí, Charleston Symphony’s Principal Trumpet and former Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic, Phil Smith. With Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto and Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Trumpets, the two immensely talented trumpeters will shine. Assistant Conductor of the Charleston Symphony, Ryo Hasegawa, will make his Masterworks conducting debut.
Sibelius’ Second Symphony, written in 1901-02, is a fitting conclusion to the program, as it gives the trumpet a considerable spotlight, especially in the fourth movement. It’s worth noting that during the time Sibelius wrote this symphony, his native Finland was under Russian oppression. Although times were bleak, with significant restrictions on Finland’s culture and autonomy, Sibelius composed the piece in Italy during a patron-funded stay that was intended to nurture his creativity. As a result, it became not only one of his best-known compositions, but also a symbol for his home nation’s independence.
Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)
Roman Carnival Overture
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Trumpet Concerto
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Concerto for Two Trumpets
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Symphony No. 2
At the time of his retirement from the New York Philharmonic (after 36 years), The New Yorker wrote of Philip Smith: “Smith has presided over orchestral trumpet playing, with a resonant, clarion sound and a reputation for never missing a note.”
Antonio Martí became Principal Trumpet of the Charleston Symphony in 2015; prior to this, he was Principal Trumpet of the Tokyo Symphony and, in 2009, Martí released a solo album of solo trumpet music from Spain, America, and Japan titled “Path.”
In addition to his position with the Charleston Symphony, Ryo Hasegawa is also Music Director of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra (Indiana), and Artistic Director of Mudita, a nonprofit arts collaborative.
