Marin Alsop, chief conductor of the Ravinia Festival, leads the CSO in a program celebrating American composers. Opening the program is Copland’s Suite from Appalachian Spring, followed by Johnson’s Charleston. Next, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha joins in Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915. Rounding out the program is Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, featuring Michelle Cann.
2024 Ravinia Opening Night: Celebration of Americana
Marin Alsop and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra receive an ovation at Ravinia Festival
Playlist
John Stafford Smith (arr. Frederick Stock): The Star-Spangled Banner
Aaron Copland: Suite from Appalachian Spring (full orchestra version)
James P. Johnson (orch. Davind Rimelis, arr. Nicholas Hersh): Charleston [w/cut]
Samuel Barber: Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Op. 24
Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, soprano
George Gershwin (orch. Ferdinand Grofé): Rhapsody in Blue
James P. Johnson (ed. and arr. Nicholas Hersh): Victory Stride
ENCORE
Charles Ives (arr. William Schuman): Variations on America
Morton Gould, conductor
BONUS
Morton Gould: Spirituals for Orchestra
Morton Gould, conductor
