Join the Aiken Symphony for an all-Beethoven evening and the return of piano virtuoso Albert Cano Smit to the Etherredge Center on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. The program features two of Beethoven’s greatest works, his Fifth Piano Concerto and Fifth Symphony, both composed during his “heroic” middle period, known for its bold, triumphant spirit.

Described by Le Devoir as “a moving young poet,” Spanish-Dutch pianist Albert Cano Smit maintains an international career as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. He won First Prize in the 2019 YCA Susan Wadsworth International Auditions and has performed with orchestras including the Las Vegas Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Montréal Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Filarmónica de Boca del Río, Barcelona Symphony, Catalonia National Orchestra, and Manchester Camerata. He made his Aiken Symphony debut in September 2022 performing Gershwin’s Piano Concerto.

Swiss-born Smit recently completed an Artist Diploma at the Juilliard School with Robert McDonald, where he received the 2020 Rubinstein Prize. He is also an alum of the Verbier Festival Academy and holds additional degrees from the Colburn School and Juilliard.

Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, his final piano concerto, was composed as he sheltered in a basement during Napoleon’s bombardment of Vienna. Although the composer did not give it the title “Emperor,” and likely would have rejected it due to his anti-monarchical views, the name endures as a reflection of the work’s majestic and heroic character.

The program closes with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, perhaps the most recognizable piece in the classical repertoire. Its famous four-note opening has been described by his students as “fate knocking at the door,” a possible reflection of Beethoven’s struggles with deafness and depression. Yet he defied adversity and displayed resilience, writing, “I will seize fate by the throat; it shall certainly not bend and crush me completely.” The symphony echoes this timeless theme of light emerging from darkness.

Tickets: Single tickets are either $45 or $60, depending on seat selection. Active military members can receive $10 off per ticket, and students under the age of 25 are eligible for a student rate of $10. To inquire about these discounts, please contact the office at 803.295.0313. Tickets are available via the website (aikensymphony.com) or by contacting the number above. They can be printed at home, picked up at the venue one hour before the concert starts, or received on one’s mobile device and presented to an usher.

Parking: Free parking is available in parking lots “C” and “D” adjacent to the Etherredge Center.

Pre-Concert Talk “Illuminations”: Join Dr. Scott Weiss in the Main Theatre at 6:30 p.m. on the concert day.

2025-26 MASTERWORKS SERIES
All Masterworks performances are held in the Etherredge Center at USC Aiken.

Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
TCHAIKOVSKY & SIBELIUS
Isabel Ong, violin
Sibelius – Violin Concerto
Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 4

Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
FIFTHS OF BEETHOVEN
Albert Cano Smit, piano
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor”
Beethoven – Symphony No. 5

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
MENDELSSOHN’S ITALIAN SYMPHONY
Laurie Baynard, flute
John Wickey, harp
Mozart – Concerto for Flute and Harp
Jessie Montgomery – Strum
Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 4 “Italian”

Sunday, May 3, 2026, 3 p.m.
BRAHMS & SCHUMANN
Risa Hokamura, violin
Schumann – Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish”
Brahms – Violin Concerto

2025-26 CHAMBER SERIES
All Chamber Series performances are held at the Amentum Center for the Performing Arts.

Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
FROM AIKEN TO VIENNA AND BACK
Daniel Adam Maltz, fortepiano
Mozart – Keyboard Sonata No. 17 in B-flat Major, K. 570
Haydn – Symphony No. 6 in D Major, Hob. I:6
Beethoven – Andante in F Major, WoO 57
Haydn – Keyboard Concerto in D Major, Hob. XVIII:11

Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, 3:00 p.m.
SCHUBERT’S OCTET
Schubert – Octet

2025-26 POPS SERIES
All Pops Series performances are held in the Etherredge Center at USC Aiken.

Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Featuring music from the holiday season, including Winter from Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons”

Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
MOVIE NIGHT!
Featuring music from The Lord of the Rings, War Horse, The Pirates of the Caribbean, Saving Private Ryan, E.T., The Magnificent Seven, Hook and more!