A NEW ERA BEGINS

September 3, 2026

7:00pm

Aiken HS Performing Arts Theatre

Celebrate this New Era of music making for Aiken with a world-class performance under the direction of Adam DePriest.  Experience a dazzling display of fiery virtuosity with Mikhail Glinka's Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla, led by guest conductor Dr. Donald Portnoy.  Joining in a tribute to longtime friend Dr. Portnoy and celebrating the New Era of the Aiken Philharmonic, superstar violinist Vadim Gluzman will transport you with the breathtaking and soulful beauty that is the Violin Concerto by Johannes Brahms.  Right at home as one of the best examples of its genre, Antonin Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 is widely celebrated as one of his most radiant, lyrical, and structurally brilliant works. Often described as a "sunny" and "nature-inspired" symphony, it beautifully captures the composer’s deep connection to Czech folk music with an effortless, songful flow.

Regularly appearing with the world's leading orchestras, Vadim Gluzman is widely celebrated by critics and classical music enthusiasts as one of the finest violinists of his generation, recognized for his flawless technique, golden tone, and deep emotional resonance. He performs on the legendary 1690 "ex-Leopold Auer" Stradivarius, which is known for its exceptionally rich, warm, and projecting sound.