Bozeman Symphony: Sounds of America II: Rhapsody in Blue & West Side Story

Experience one of Gershwin’s most iconic works, Rhapsody in Blue a 1924 tour de force that helped define the Jazz Age. Originally written for solo piano and jazz band, this exhilarating piece fuses classical structure with the infectious energy of jazz. With its bold rhythms, sweeping melodies, and dazzling improvisatory spirit, Rhapsody in Blue remains a testament to Gershwin’s genius in bridging musical traditions.
Continuing this seamless blend of styles, Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story offers a thrilling orchestral suite adapted from his legendary musical. Spanning nine movements, the Symphonic Dances capture the raw emotion and dramatic intensity of West Side Story, weaving together classical techniques with jazz rhythms, Latin dance styles, and electrifying syncopations.
Bridging past and present, Grammy Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann joins the Symphony for Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement, a masterpiece of rich, late-Romantic lyricism that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation. And Grammy Award-winning composer Caroline Shaw’s The Observatory offers a kaleidoscopic, filmic journey. Premiered by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2019, the piece is named after the Griffith Observatory overlooking Los Angeles.