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Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Gershwin & Bernstein
Oct 19-24, 2023
Overview
An exuberant melding of jazz, blues and classical styles, Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F is an ideal vehicle for Illinois native Conrad Tao, “a personality-plus pianist with a fearless technique” (Chicago Classical Review). Bernstein’s beloved West Side Story dances include themes from the songs “Somewhere” and “Maria.” Barber’s soulful overture and Revueltas’ joyfully raucous Sensemayá frame the program.
Program
Barber
The School for Scandal Overture
Gershwin
Piano Concerto in F
Arlen/Tatum
Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz [Oct 19–24 Encore]
Conrad Tao piano
Bernstein
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
Revueltas
Sensemayá
Performers
Extras
Enhance your concert experience with these additional events.
Preconcert Dining
Enhance your concert experience by dining at Forte featuring contemporary Mediterranean cuisine or the Thomas Club featuring traditional American fare. Learn more »
Preconcert Conversation
Explore the music in a free preconcert conversation featuring Robbie Ellis in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before the performance. The talk will last approximately 30 minutes. No additional tickets are needed.
Preconcert Event
On Tuesday, October 24 the CSO Latino Alliance will host a preconcert event with refreshments and presentation exploring the evening's program and the larger context of performing arts in Mexico. Tickets required for entry. Learn more about the event at CSO Latino Alliance »
College Night
Sponsors & Partners
The appearance of James Gaffigan is made possible by the Juli Plant Grainger Fund for Artistic Excellence.
Official Airline of the CSO
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency
Media Partners
Discover more on Experience CSO
For years, James Gaffigan tried to avoid being typecast as the American conductor who does American music. But now that he's in his 40s, the embraces that role. "It’s all music that I love.”
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Conrad Tao balances two careers, as a concert pianist and composer. He's committed to revitalizing classical music through his own works and others. “The time-management thing is hard,” he said, “but I write music as much as I can all the time."
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When American conductor James Gaffigan learned of American comedian-actor Jim Gaffigan, it was cause for consternation. The maestro says, "I’m sick of people expecting me to be funny all the time."
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Nearly a decade after his untimely death, Sensemayá brought Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas to international attention through a recording by Leopold Stokowski in 1947.
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Considered one of Mexico’s best composers, Silvestre Revueltas took "a very different approach" to shaping a sense of national identity in his music, contends author Jesús Del Toro in his book "Silvestre Revueltas del Otro Lado."
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From early in his career, conductor Leonard Bernstein had a special interest in the music of Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas.
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