Winston-Salem Symphony brings two Grammy-winning violinists for ‘Beyond the Blue Ridge’

Prepare to be transported to the rugged landscapes of the American West with “Beyond the Blue Ridge,” the next concert in the Winston-Salem Symphony’s 2024/25 season, performing Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 11 & 12 at Reynolds Auditorium. Grammy Award winning musicians Mark and Maggie O’Connor join Music Director Michelle Merrill and the Symphony for these performances of three Western-themed pieces. Elmer Bernstein’s stirring themes from “The Magnificent Seven” evoke the spirit of frontier justice with their heroic brass fanfares and sweeping orchestral textures, setting the stage for Aaron Copland’s “Billy the Kid” ballet score, which paints a vivid portrait of a legendary outlaw through its expansive melodies and folk-inspired rhythms. Finally, Mark O’Connor’s “Strings & Threads” suite and his “Double Violin Concerto” add a contemporary twist with their blends of classical tradition and American folk fiddling, featuring virtuosic solos that bridge the gap between classical and bluegrass styles. “Beyond the Blue Ridge” will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11 and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12 in Reynolds Auditorium, 301 N. Hawthorne Road. Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased online at wssymphony.org or by calling the box office at 336-464-0145. About Mark and Maggie...