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Music of Schwartz, Brown, Duke, Gershwin Featured in Broadway and Beyond, Feb. 2

By: Dec. 21, 2005
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Symphony Space's Broadway and Beyond concert will be held on Thursday, February 2nd at 7:30 pm. The evening will be presented as part of the Symphony Space Live: Classical Reclassified series.

Hosted by renowned former Encores! conductor Rob Fisher, Broadway and Beyond will explore the multi-faceted compositional output of four of Broadway's most esteemed composers. Looking at their excursions into the classical world alongside their major contributions to the American Songbook, this program will present the music of Vernon Duke, George Gershwin, Stephen Schwartz, and Jason Robert Brown. Lesser-known chamber works, such as Vernon Duke's "Theme and Variations for Piano Trio" and the three Gershwin "Preludes," will be performed alongside beloved standards from the musical theatre repertoire, such as the Gershwins' "The Man I Love" and Duke's "Words Without Music."

The program will feature a star-studded roster of Broadway performers as well as chamber artists, including Shoshana Bean (Wicked), Darius de Haas (Rent), Judy Blazer (Titanic), Rebecca Luker (Music Man, Nine), Ron Raines (Chicago), composer-conductor Joshua Rosenblum, Emily Skinner (Side Show), Mark Steinberg (first violinist of the Brentano String Quartet), and the Ying Quartet.

"Many composers write music for the theatre as well as art music. The distinction is always blurry, if not downright academic," said Rob Fisher. "This evening will investigate how composing for one purpose informs another; in the case of George Gershwin, his ear for the popular idiom definitely influenced his concert music, and his serious study of composition strengthened his songwriting for theatre and film."

Other highlights of the evening will include a world-premiere "Clarinet Quintet" by Wicked's Stephen Schwartz; a performance of the Gershwin "Preludes" with Rob Fisher at the piano; a performance of Jason Robert Brown's recently commissioned piano sonata, "Mr. Broadway;" and a discussion between Rob Fisher and Stephen Schwartz on the relationship between the Broadway musical and so-called classical music.

Tickets for performances are available by visiting the Box Office at Broadway and 95th Street, Tuesday-Sunday, Noon to 7 pm, by calling 212.864.5400 Tuesday–Saturday, Tuesday-Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm or on-line at www.symphonyspace.org. Symphony Space memberships, which entitle holders to extensive benefits, including reduced price admission to designated events, start at $60/year ($15/year for full time students). For group sales call the box office at 212.864.5400. Discounts are offered with the purchase of 6 or more tickets in the same order to any combination of performances. Contact the box office for more details.

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