FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jenni Shrum,
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
(405) 231-0145 jenni@okcphil.org
Featuring Oklahoma City Artists Bruce Robertson on the bagpipes and Jonathan Ruck on the cello.
Oklahoma City – The Oklahoma City Philharmonic is set to present From The Highlands on Saturday, November 16th, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. at the Civic Center Music Hall. This concert will open with the majestic Highland Cathedral, a stirring piece featuring bagpipes, played by Oklahoma City artist Bruce Robertson. Second on the program is Elgar’s renowned Cello Concerto, performed by Jonathan Ruck, principal cellist of the OKC Philharmonic, and the evening will conclude with Mendelssohn’s evocative Scottish Symphony.
Both featured performers bring notable local and international recognition. Bruce Robertson, a first-generation American with Scottish heritage, began playing the bagpipes under his father’s guidance at age six. Jonathan Ruck, a celebrated cellist, has a distinguished career as a soloist and chamber musician, performing across various continents.
“Bagpipes evoke feelings of ancient times, bare mountain ranges, lonely castles, wild beauty, kilts, and long-gone battles. This is the setting of our next Classics From The Highlands,” said Alexander Mickelthwate, Music Director of the OKC Philharmonic. “Our orchestra will be right in the midst of the storytelling. We will bring a full symphonic rendition of late Queen Elizabeth’s most favorite piece for bagpipe: Highland Cathedral. Elgar’s romantic cello concerto will give a British musical anchor featuring our own Jonathan Ruck. The symphony of the evening is Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony, music that he felt deeply inspired to write standing in the ruins of Queen Mary Stuart’s Castle in Edinburgh.”
The OKC Philharmonic’s Music Director, Alexander Mickelthwate, will host a pre-concert lecture at 7:00 p.m. Tickets range from $24 to $109, with student pricing available at $11 with a valid ID. For ticket purchases, contact the OKC Philharmonic box office at (405) 842-5387 or purchase online at okcphil.org.
From The Highlands is sponsored by Clements Foods Foundation & Robert & Sody Clements, and Mekusukey Oil Company LLC.
About OKC Philharmonic
OKC Philharmonic was founded in 1988 and celebrates over 30 years of beautiful music in Oklahoma City. Under the direction of Alexander Mickelthwate, the orchestra performs Classics, Orchestral Pops, and Discovery Family concerts, as well as a variety of community engagements. Our mission exists to provide inspiration and joy for the community through orchestral music. For more information contact us at okcphil.org 424 Colcord Drive, Suite B, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
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