Romance & Fire
Classics III
Romance & Fire
Bold, passionate, and inspiring—hear the SLO Youth Symphony Concert Orchestra shine in Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, immerse yourself in the sweeping romance of Schumann’s Piano Concerto with Salome Jordania, and we conclude with the heroic grandeur of Sibelius’s triumphant Symphony No. 2.
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo
Concert sponsored in dedication to Dr. Wachtang “Botso” Korisheli, founder of the SLO Youth Symphony. If you would like to be a part of this collaborative effort, please contact Emily Reneau, Director of Development.
Program Details
- Composed in 1810
- A dramatic overture that tells a story from struggle to triumph
SCHUMANN
Piano Concerto in A minor op.54
Featuring Salome Jordania
- Composed in 1841, and completed in 1845
- The opening theme spells a musical cipher representing “Clara,” his wife’s name. He used musical letters to encode her name in various pieces, and this concerto is one of his most love-soaked creations.
SIBELIUS
Symphony No.2 in D op. 43
- Composed in 1902
- One of the most frequently performed symphonies, with an emotional range and epic finale
- An unofficial Finnish theme, it is often played at national celebrations and sports broadcasts
Enhance Your Experience
Symphonic Foray — Pre-Concert Talk
- Special start time at 6:30pm
- Go behind the scenes with Maestro Sewell, soloist Salome Jordania, and Christopher Woodruff (Youth Symphony Concert Orchestra Conductor)
- Learn more about the history of the music
- Free to all concert ticketholders
- Sponsored by Ambiance Luxury Boutique
No Ties Allowed — Open Rehearsal
- Preview the concert during a working rehearsal at 11:00 AM the same morning
- While this rehearsal is open to the public, we kindly ask that you be respectful of the musicians as they rehearse. If you need to talk or make noise, please step into the lobby. You’re welcome to come and go as you wish — we’re glad you’re attending!
- Sponsored by Kathryn Lawhun
- Learn more about No Ties Allowed events.
Access for All
At the SLO Symphony, we believe everyone deserves access to the inspiring experience of live music.
We’re excited to introduce a limited time program designed to make this concert more affordable and welcoming for our community. A select number of tickets are available for only $20 – no promo codes, discounts, or special steps required. These tickets are simply priced with accessibility in mind, so more of our community can experience this powerful performance. Availability is limited, and tickets will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. This pilot program is made possible through the stewardship of our Board of Directors and thanks to generous donors.
More about the Concert Program
About Salome Jordania
Georgian pianist Salome Jordania has appeared as a recitalist, chamber musician, and concerto soloist in cities across Germany, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Italy, Spain, Austria, Israel, Ukraine, the Netherlands, France, Russia, Mexico, and throughout the United States. Locals to San Luis Obispo may have first heard of Ms. Jordania in her appearance in the documentary film “Botso“, where she is featured as a young piano student. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School, where she studied with Julian Martin, and a Master’s degree from the Yale School of Music, where she worked with Boris Berman and graduated with both the Charles S. Miller Prize and the Yale Alumni Prize. Over the years, Salome has earned more than thirty prizes in international competitions, including the Norma Fischer Prize at the Wideman International Competition and First Prize at the Hartford Concerto Competition (USA).
ROMANCE & FIRE IS SPONSORED IN DEDICATION TO DR. WACHTANG “BOTSO” KORISHELI, FOUNDER OF THE SLO YOUTH SYMPHONY.
“Botso was an incredibly impactful person in my life. He listened to me when I was just 11 years old, believed in me, and saw the potential in my talent. Thanks to him, I had the opportunity to fly to the US and perform with the SLO Symphony at such a young age. That experience was my first connection to the US, which later grew into the motivation and desire to pursue my studies at Juilliard. I honestly don’t know where I would be without him.
I was fortunate to have a few lessons with him, but even more than that, I was lucky to know his story, his character and to be inspired by a man who had overcome so many obstacles, built an incredible legacy, nurtured a beautiful family, and inspired countless artists like me. Knowing him was a privilege, and I am deeply grateful to be among the many who will cherish his memory.” – Salome Jordania
Listen In
Enjoy this curated playlist of the concert program in Apple Music and Spotify.