World-class harpist brings ‘Magnificent Strings’ to life
Concert offers rare chance to hear harp star Emmanuel Ceysson, concerto
Jackson, Mississippi — A visionary artist of the harp is the star draw of Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s “Magnificent Strings” concert, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 1, at Madison Central High School Auditorium in Madison, Mississippi. This third Bravo concert continues MSO’s 80th anniversary Season Spectacular with international guest soloist Emmanuel Ceysson, plus a rapturous Brahms symphony.
French-born Ceysson, an artist as celebrated for his virtuosic technique and musicianship as he is beloved for his infectious enthusiasm and charm, will hold the concert spotlight with Reinhold Glière’s gorgeous Harp Concerto.
“He’s the guest artist highlight of the entire season — the absolute strength of our season offerings,” MSO Maestro Crafton Beck said of Ceysson, who easily ranks among the world’s top four or five harpists.
Ceysson, an academic professor at San Francisco Conservatory of Music, is principal harpist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a prestigious post he cinched after a blind, anonymous audition among 70 of his best peers. Before that, he spent almost 15 years as principal harpist with the Opéra National de Paris and five seasons with the New York MET Opera Orchestra. His solo career has taken him to major concert venues, prestigious orchestras and festivals around the word. Early prizes pegged him as one to watch: gold medalist, USA International Harp Competition; first prize, 2006 New York Young Concert Artists Audition; and first prize, 2009 ARD Music Competition in Munich.
Press clippings hail Ceysson as “an amazingly alive and curious musician” and “brilliantly gifted,” and he is praised both for his delicacy and his depth. In Glière’s 1938 concerto, classical style meets Russian romantic nationalism with irresistible results.
Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 commands the evening’s second half. His masterful expression comes through in this work that took him decades to perfect — movements of stormy passion and sweet lyricism have made it an all-time favorite. “It was one of the first things I learned as a conductor,” Beck said, “and I can’t wait to do it again.”
MSO’s Bravo Series is presented by the Selby & Richard McRae Foundation, and guest artist Ceysson is generously sponsored by Grace P. and Sidney Shinn Lee. MSO is also supported in part by the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Season ticket holders with Conductor, Connoisseur, and Loge reservations will enjoy reserved seating at the venue in Madison. Please see the box office or an usher for assistance upon arrival. All other seats are general admission and are first-come, first-seated.
Individual tickets for the “Magnificent Strings” concert are $43 for adults and $5 for students, kindergarten through college (with valid student ID). For tickets or more information visit msorchestra.com, email patronservices@msorchestra.com, or call 601-414-6005. The onsite box office will open at 6:30 p.m. on the evening of the concert.
Who: Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
What: “Magnificent Strings,” MSO Bravo Series concert
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2025
Where: Madison Central High School, 1417 Highland Colony Parkway, Madison, MS 39110