Dvořák's New World Symphony • NOI Philharmonic
Dvořák's New World Symphony • NOI Philharmonic
ABOUT THE EVENT
What do we mean when we call something "American music"? We can hear part of the answer in NOI+F's opening night performance, with conductor John Morris Russell celebrating his 11 year anniversary with a finely curated exploration of the American experience. Soprano Erica Gabriel, the Gold Medal winner of the American Traditions Vocal Competition, makes her NOI+F debut providing vocals for three immortal works of Americana: the groundbreaking composer Francis Hall Johnson's arrangement of the traditional gospel hymn Ride on King Jesus; a fresh arrangement of Stephen Foster's lyrical lullaby Slumber My Darling; and the Gershwins' Broadway hit and jazz standard, I Got Rhythm. From there, we move to Antonín Dvořak's endlessly popular New World Symphony. Created by the great Czech composer while he was the director of the National Conservatory of Music in America, Dvořak's Symphony No. 9 is beloved in the orchestral music canon and an essential work of the classical genre's evolution. Russell and the orchestra will take you on a lively journey through American history that you won't soon forget!
PROGRAM
Traditional, Arr. Johnson: Ride on King Jesus
Foster, Arr. Waldern: Slumber My Darling
Gershwin: I Got Rhythm
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”
FUNDING
The National Orchestral Institute + Festival is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, The Marinus and Minna B. Koster Foundation and the Nicolae Bretan Music Foundation.