The North Carolina Symphony welcomes pianist Yefim Bronfman and guest conductor Andrew Litton when it returns to Moore County on Thursday, Jan. 11, at 8 p.m. The concert will take place at Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines.

Yefim Bronfman is widely regarded as one of the most talented virtuoso pianists performing today. His commanding technique and exceptional lyrical gifts have won him consistent critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences worldwide, whether for his solo recitals, his prestigious orchestral engagements or his rapidly growing catalogue of recordings.

Bronfman and the North Carolina Symphony will perform Beethoven's "Concerto No. 1 in C Major for Piano and Orchestra." A pianist, Beethoven composed the first four of his five mature piano concertos for his own concerts. His "C Major Concerto" sprang from the rich Viennese musical tradition of Haydn and Mozart, with whom he was intimately acquainted. He had taken some composition lessons with Haydn soon after his arrival, and he had profound affection for and knowledge of Mozart's work.

In his 13th season as music director of the Dallas Symphony, New York-born Andrew Litton is one of but a handful of Americans heading a major American orchestra. During his tenure he has raised the orchestra's international profile, led the orchestra on three major European tours, appeared four times at Carnegie Hall, and produced over 25 recordings, one of the largest recent outputs of any American orchestra.

The concert will open with Mendelssohn's "Overture to Ruy Blas," a piece written in three days for Victor Hugo's play by the same title. Also featured in the concert is Shostakovich's "Symphony No. 5." This symphony was written during the Stalin era in Russia and reflects the composer's criticism of life in that country during that period.

Call the North Carolina Symphony Box Office at 877-627-6724 or the Campbell House at 910-6924356. Details about the program are available at the Symphony's website at www.ncsymphony.org.