In this episode of BACKSTAGE PASS with Carlos Miguel Prieto, Carlos shares his love for Beethoven and focuses on his middle period—a time of bold ideas, emotional clarity, and music that helped usher in the Romantic era. In So Much Genius: Beethoven’s Middle Years, Carlos explores the beauty of Fidelio Overture, Symphony No. 4, and the Violin Concerto in D which is being performed by guest violinist Paul Huang.

In episode 2 of BACKSTAGE PASS, Music Director Carlos Miguel Prieto shares exclusive insights into this week’s’ program of works by Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, and Antonín Dvořák.

Prieto is joined by Principal Clarinet Samuel Almaguer as they explore Copland’s Clarinet Concerto—a work that blends jazz rhythms and sweeping Americana into a singular musical voice. Almaguer shares his personal connection to this Copland masterwork, while Prieto also reflects on the emotional power of Barber’s Essay No. 2 and the enduring beauty of Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony.

Introducing the North Carolina Symphony’s new podcast! In this premiere episode, Music Director Carlos Miguel Prieto shares exclusive insights on this weekend’s 2025/26 classical season opener. Hear Carlos’ thoughts on Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4, and Barber’s Overture to The School for Scandal.