George Gershwin, two nights only!

By Matthew Heil

Public Relations Manager

There are few musical names as recognizable, and enduring, as that of George Gershwin. With his brother Ira, George became a staple on stage and screen, writing some of the best known songs in the United States. From his folk opera, Porgy & Bess to the Pulitzer Prize-winning but perhaps less familiar political satire Of Thee I Sing, George brought to life the fun and frivolity of the age.

At this weekend's concerts, The Phoenix Symphony is joined by Loras John Schissel, a musicologist from the Library of Congress, to lead what is sure to be one of the most interesting Pops programs we've had all year. I'm very curious to see the end result, since there will be a technological addition to the concerts: with the help of a Yamaha Disklavier piano and software provided by pianist George Litterst, the Symphony's performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue will include a performance recorded by George Gershwin himself!

Through the marvels of modern technology, Gershwin's decades-old piano rolls have been converted to CD, time-marked, and prepared to allow a conductor to keep time with the piano as he or she leads an orchestra! (Those of you who were at our Classical Hollywood concert may have seen a similiar piano promoting the concert in the Symphony Hall Lobby...playing a loop of Gershwin tunes as he did himself!) Intriguing science and amazing music....should be a fun weekend! See you there!