LV Philharmonic Performs GERSHWIN: MUSIC OF THE JAZZ AGE This Weekend

The Las Vegas Philharmonic performs Gershwin: Music of the Jazz Age tonight, April 2, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. and tomorrow, April 3, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center.

Music Director Donato Cabrera will announce the new 2016 - 2017 concert season at 6:30 p.m. in Reynolds Hall on Saturday and present the Classical Conversation at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday in Reynolds Hall for patrons interested in learning more about the music and history behind the works being performed.

The program will open with Igor Stravinsky's high-spirited Scherzo à la russe. The film score was originally written for a wartime film set in Russia, but the movie never came to fruition. The music was re-worked and premiered in 1944 with the San Francisco Symphony. Following Stravinsky, the orchestra performs Darius Milhaud's La création du monde, or creation of the world. The jazz work was commissioned for the ballet company Ballets Suédois and premiered at Paris's Théâtre des Champs Elysées in 1923. Next, the Las Vegas Philharmonic presents one of Leonard Bernstein's most frequently performed shorter works, Prelude, Fugue and Riffs. Bernstein premiered the piece on his television show, "The World of Jazz" in 1955 by the great Benny Goodman. The music highlights the trumpets, trombones, saxophones and solo clarinet featuring the Las Vegas Philharmonic's principal clarinetist, Cory Tiffin.

To conclude the Philharmonic's all jazz program, the orchestra performs George Gershwin's timeless Rhapsody in Blue featuring guest pianist, Andrew Armstrong. Commissioned by band leader, Paul Whiteman, Rhapsody in Blue premiered in 1924. Gershwin conceived the work while on his way to Boston, inspired by the rhythmic noises of the train ride. The piece is regarded as one of America's most important musical works of the 20th century.

Andrew Armstrong has performed over 50 concertos, impressing international audiences with a large repertoire ranging from Bach to Babbit and beyond. Before beginning his career as a concert pianist, Armstrong received over 25 national and international First Prizes. In 1996, he was named Gilmore Young Artist. At the 1993 Van Cliburn Competition, where he was the youngest pianist entered, he received the Jury Discretionary Award.

Ticket prices for the April 2nd and April 3rd Gershwin: Music of the Jazz Age concert are $46, $66 and $96 and can be purchased through The Smith Center Box Office, phone 702.749.2000 or online at lvphil.org. In addition, the Las Vegas Philharmonic's Flex Passport concert package, priced at $300, offers patrons the opportunity to purchase six seats to redeem at a later date for the concert(s) of their choice.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic offers shuttle buses for the evening performances to The Smith Center from Summerlin (Starbright Theatre, 2215 Thomas Ryan Blvd) and Henderson (Anthem Center at Independence Center 2460 Hampton Road.) Bus passes must be purchased in advance and can be obtained when purchasing concert tickets, or by calling The Smith Center Patron Services at 702.749.2000. Each bus pass costs $20 roundtrip per concert.

IF YOU GO:

Saturday, April 2, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 3, 2:00 p.m.

Classical Conversation with Donato Cabrera at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

Las Vegas Philharmonic

Donato Cabrera, music director
Andrew Armstrong, piano
Cory Tiffin, clarinet

PROGRAM:

STRAVINSKY Scherzo à la russe

MILHAUD La création du monde

BERNSTEIN Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs

WEILL Little Threepenny Music

GERSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue

"True music must repeat the thought and inspirations of the people and the time. My people are Americans and my time is today." - George Gershwin (1898 - 1937)

The Las Vegas Philharmonic, led by Music Director, Donato Cabrera, established its presence in Southern Nevada in 1998. The mission of the organization is to perform music that enriches and educates, helping to build a vibrant, culturally rich community. A proud resident company of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the Las Vegas Philharmonic brings a valued cultural dimension to the city, providing over 16,000 children each year with vital access to a music education program and showcasing local talents alongside stellar nationally and internationally known guest artists on the magnificent Reynolds Hall stage. At the orchestra's core are 76 contracted professional musicians, many of whom are esteemed educators who also perform in other professional productions in Las Vegas, bringing depth and variety to the organization.

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