Beethoven 7 + Jacqueline Tso Plays Butterfly Lovers’ Concerto

Beethoven 7 + Jacqueline Tso Plays Butterfly Lovers’ Concerto   
Peace Concert Hall
Saturday, April 10 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 11 at 3:00 pm

PROGRAM
Andrea Rinkemeyer: Water Sings Fire

• South Carolina Premiere, courtesy of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program with the League of American Orchestras

He Zhanhao and Chen Gang: Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7

CONDUCTOR
Lee Mills, Music Director

SOLOIST
Jacqueline Tso, Concertmaster

Step into an evening of powerful storytelling, luminous artistry, and musical brilliance as the Greenville Symphony presents the fifth concert in the Concert Hall Series—an experience that blends bold new voices, beloved traditions, and breathtaking solo virtuosity.

The night opens with the South Carolina premiere of Andrea Rinkemeyer’s Water Sings Fire, a work jointly commissioned through the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program with the League of American Orchestras. Inspired by mythology and vivid sonic imagery, Rinkemeyer’s music invites audiences into a shimmering, otherworldly landscape—an exciting opportunity to hear our orchestra bring a compelling new work to life. Premieres like this remind us that orchestral music isn’t just a tradition; it’s a living art form, growing and evolving right here in our community.

Next, the spotlight shines on Concertmaster Jacqueline Tso, one of the most admired artists of our orchestra, and youngest concertmasters to lead an orchestra nationwide. She takes center stage for the Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang—a sweeping, romantic work filled with lyrical beauty and emotional intensity. Its soaring melodies and cinematic storytelling have made it one of the most beloved violin concertos across Asia. Hearing Jacqueline perform it is not only a musical highlight, but a moment of Greenville pride.

The evening concludes with the uplifting power of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, a work defined by its irresistible rhythms and heroic character. Its famous second movement has found a home far beyond the concert hall—featured in films, commercials, and cultural moments that underscore its emotional gravity and timeless appeal. Whether you know it consciously or not, this music is already part of your life. Experiencing it live, in full symphonic glory, is an unforgettable thrill.

From the newest notes being written today to one of the most iconic symphonies ever composed, this concert invites you to discover, feel, and celebrate the full spectrum of orchestral artistry—brought to life by Music Director Lee Mills, your Greenville Symphony, and one extraordinary concertmaster.

Trust your curiosity. Come for the adventure. Leave transformed.