Saved events

Roots & Origins: Gershwin

London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle

,Barbican Hall
Kirill Gerstein

Six portraits of America from the first half of the 20th century round off Sir Simon Rattle’s season-long exploration of sources of musical inspiration in toe-tapping style.

Jazz and Latin inevitably predominate in the featured works by Gershwin and Bernstein. Yet both composers fold in other, more classical influences – from the impressionistic swirls of Debussy in An American in Paris to the spiky rhythms of Stravinsky in Three Dance Episodes.

There is a more home-grown and nostalgic feel to the other music in the concert. Military and hymn tunes weave in and out of Charles Ives’ melancholic and typically idiosyncratic Decoration Day. There are fragments of folk melodies peppered throughout Roy Harris’ expansive and shimmering Third Symphony, described by Sir Simon Rattle as one of the symphonic masterpieces of the last century.

A programme of great variety and contrast, yet each composer in their own way quintessentially American.

Tagged with: Classical music LSO 2019–20 London Symphony Orchestra More...

Duration to be confirmed closer to the event. It includes a 20 minute interval.

Programme

  • Gershwin   Cuban Overture
  • Ives   Decoration Day
  • Gershwin ed Watson   Piano Concerto in F major
  • Roy Harris   Symphony No 3
  • Bernstein   Three Dance Episodes from ‘On the Town’
  • Gershwin   An American in Paris

Performers

  • Sir Simon Rattle   conductor
  • London Symphony Orchestra  
  • Kirill Gerstein   piano

Barbican Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
​​​​​​​The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.