Mélanie Léonard, conductor
Daniel Clarke Bouchard, piano
American in Paris – George Gershwin
Rhapsody in Blue – George Gershwin
Symphony No. 1 (“Afro-American”) – William Grant Still
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It’s time for the Twenties to roar again! From the bustle of New York streets to jazz pouring out of the cafes in Paris, the first roaring twenties were marked by fabulous parties, flappers, and art deco.
We’re joined by pianist Daniel Clarke Bouchard to mark the 100th anniversary of the premiere of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Maestra Mélanie Léonard leads your SSO in a program infused with the jazz and spirit of the 1920s, including Gershwin’s spectacular American in Paris!
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The Program
Roaring Twenties
Mélanie Léonard, conductor
Daniel Clarke Bouchard, piano
Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra
American in Paris
George Gershwin
Rhapsody in Blue
George Gershwin
~Intermission~
Symphony No. 1 (“Afro-American”)
I. Moderato assai. All my life long twell de night has pas’ / Let de wo’k come ez it will, / So dat I fin’ you, my honey, at last’, / Somewhaih des ovah de hill.
II. Adagio. It’s moughty tiahsome layin’ ’roun’ / Dis sorrer-laden earfly groun’, / An’ oftentimes I thinks, thinks I / ’Twould be a sweet t’ing des to die / An’ go ’long home.
III. Animato. An’ we’ll shout ouah halleluyahs, / On dat mighty reck’nin’ day.
IV. Lento, con risoluzione. Be proud, my Race, in mind and soul. / Thy name is writ on Glory’s scroll / In characters of fire. / High mid the clouds of Fame’s bright sky / Thy banner’s blazoned folds now fly, / And truth shall lift them higher.
William Grant Still
The Artists
Daniel Clarke Bouchard, piano
Daniel Clarke Bouchard began playing the piano at the age of five and gave his first piano recital at the age of six. He received the Grand Prize at the…
Mélanie Léonard, conductor
Mélanie Léonard, born in Montréal and raised in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield (Qc), was the Music Director of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra (2016-2022) and is currently Music Director with Symphony New Brunswick. Maestro…
Click here to read about your Orchestra!
This concert also includes:
Violin – Cherie Jarock, Lauren Dykstra, Sofia Mycyk, Richard Wang
Cello – Terry Sturge
Bass – Nevin Buehler, Emmett Fortosky
Flute – Jennifer McAllister
Oboe – Carl Hofmeister
Bass Clarinet – Alyssa Thompson
Clarinet – Celestino de Pedro
Saxophones – Gerard Weber, Troy Linsley, Sarah Suchan
Horn – Stacey Mortenson-Spokes
Trumpet – Dean McNeill
Trombone – Erik Larson
Percussion – Will Martin
Harp – Keri Zwicker
Keyboard – Michelle Aalders
Tenor Banjo – Kimbal Siebert
Special Thanks
Thanks to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for the use of their taxi horns.
Program Notes
William Grant Still, Composer
Long known as the “Dean of African-American Classical Composers,” as well as one of America’s foremost composers, William Grant Still has had the distinction of becoming a legend in his own…
A Big Honking Mystery
There are often moments where you look at a score and wonder if you are playing what the composer intended. With Gershwin’s American in Paris it turns out that we…
Celebrating the Future
Celebrating the Future A New Donor Appreciation Gala for Season 94! I cannot imagine my life without music. I turn to music when I want to celebrate. I rely on…
George Gerswhin
Gershwin was born Jacob Gershowitz on September 26, 1898, in Brooklyn, New York. The son of Russian-Jewish immigrants, Gershwin began his foray into music at age 11 when his family…
Rhapsody in Blue
Rhapsody in Blue is a 1924 musical composition written by George Gershwin for solo piano and jazz band, which combines elements of classical music with jazz-influenced effects. Commissioned by bandleader…
American in Paris – The Film
An American in Paris is a 1951 American musical romantic comedy film inspired by the 1928 jazz-influenced symphonic poem (or tone poem) An American in Paris by George Gershwin. Starring…
American in Paris
An American in Paris is a jazz-influenced symphonic poem by the American composer George Gershwin, written in 1928. Inspired by the time Gershwin had spent in Paris, it evokes the sights and energy of the French…
Music Talk – Mélanie Léonard
We’re going live from the Travel Alcove at McNally Robinson on Tuesday, February 6th at 7 pm. Join us in person, or watch below as CEO Mark Turner and conductor…
The Genius of William Grant Still
Called “the Dean of African-American composers”, William Grant Still (1895–1978) worked in all genres of music – from jazz to Broadway musicals to modern classical music (he studied in New…
Join us at the Hub
The concert ends, you exit TCU Place, and you’re still brimming with excitement after such a fabulous evening. Where to next? Cross the street and join us over at the…
