Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue
Saturday, February 17 at 8pm
Michael Francis, conductor
Aldo Lopez-Gavilan, piano
Natalie Hoe, clarinet
Wynton Marsalis: Herald, Holler & Hallelujah: Fanfare for Brass & Percussion
Mason Bates: Alternative Energy
Bernstein: Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
Stravinsky: Ebony Concerto
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Michael Francis packs this program with American greats in honor of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, the centerpiece of our season. This revolutionary masterpiece combined jazz and classical to change music forever when it debuted 100 years ago in 1924. Launching the concert is Herald, Holler and Hallelujah, a powerful fanfare for brass and percussion by jazz icon Wynton Marsalis. While living in sunny Hollywood, Stravinsky fed off his love of American jazz for his Ebony Concerto, this week featuring TFO Principal Clarinet Natalie Hoe. Rounding out the program is Grammy Award winner Mason Bates’ high-voltage Alternative Energy and the legendary Leonard Bernstein’s Three Dance Episodes from On the Town.
Bonus! For every Masterworks concert, Michael Francis has personally chosen a surprise “mystery piece” to enhance the live experience. What will it be this weekend?
PRE-CONCERT CONVERSATIONS: Get the real story behind the composers and their music, straight from the conductor and guest soloists. Starts one hour before each Masterworks concert in the theater. Included free with each concert ticket.