Las Vegas Philharmonic will present Rhapsody in Blue at 100, with Music Director Donato Cabrera conducting his 10th and final season.
Las Vegas Philharmonic’s 25th season continues with Rhapsody in Blue at 100, with Music Director Donato Cabrera conducting his 10th and final season with the orchestra during the 2023-24 season at The Smith Center on Feb. 24.
Rhapsody in Blue was composed by George Gershwin in 1924 and features a solo piano and jazz band. It was a bold fusion of classical music with jazz elements. The concert premiered as "An Experiment in Modern Music" on February 12, 1924, in New York City.
Rhapsody in Blue is among Gershwin's most renowned compositions and is considered to have defined the Jazz Age. This era marked a new chapter in America's musical history, and it helped establish Gershwin's reputation as a prominent composer. Rhapsody in Blue remains one of the most beloved concert pieces ever.
Along with Donato, Clayton Stephenson will play the piano (claytonstephenson.com), Dvorák Slavonic Dances (selections), William Dawson Negro Folk Symphony, and The Chairman Dances (composed by John Adams) will be part of the program.
The Slavonic Dances are a series of 16 orchestral pieces composed by Antonín Dvořák, a Czech composer, in 1878 and 1888 and brought to the United States in the 1890s. According to Donato, Dvořák said that composers should use music from the U.S. culture, and he would write pieces incorporating aspects of American culture. Gershwin is a prime example of following Dvořák’s advice.
The Negro Folk Symphony was composed in 1934 by African American William Dawson, using Black spirituals to tell the story of his community. It would premiere, performed by Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Donato’s final season as Music Director has created many emotions for him. “For me, it has been a great big circle that I never thought would exist since I grew up in Las Vegas and moved when I was nine years old. I also never thought I would return to Las Vegas to conduct an orchestra. When I was presented with the opportunity 11 years ago, it was an unexpected and gratifying homecoming. These 10 years have been incredibly positive. I get to see my whole family when I conduct the Las Vegas Philharmonic since my relatives would attend.”
There will then be a 30-minute pre-concert lecture beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The concert series for the 2023/24 season includes:
Saturday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Rhapsody in Blue
Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Prohibition
Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Scheherazade
Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m.
Lang Lang in Recital
Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m.
The Firebird!
Saturday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Saint-Saëns Thundering “Organ” Symphony
Las Vegas Philharmonic has been a part of the Las Vegas Valley for 25 years since 1998. The orchestra aims to inspire the community's lifelong love for music by providing performances and educational experiences in the city. The Youth Concert Series is a crucial music education program that brings thousands of children to the concert hall. Additionally, the Philharmonic's season of concerts showcases local and national guest artists on the grand Reynolds Hall stage. The orchestra comprises 76 professional musicians who are also educators and perform in other productions in Las Vegas, adding depth and variety to the organization. Music education and engagement are the foundation of the Philharmonic's commitment to the community. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Philharmonic’s community, education, and artistic programs are made possible by individuals' and corporations' generous donations and support. To learn more, visit lvphil.org or call 702.258.5438.
The Las Vegas Philharmonic will perform Rhapsody in Blue at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 24. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., and tickets are available by clicking here and The Smith Center Box Office. Follow on Facebook at @ lasvegasphilharmonic, X (formerly Twitter) @ lvphil and Instagram @ lvphil,