Orchestra: The BBC Big Band
Conductor & Musical Director: Barry Forgie
Special guest vocalist: Emer McParland
The internationally acclaimed BBC Big Band are joined by renowned conductor Barry Forgie, and special guest vocalist Emer McParland, for a unique celebration of the music of George Gershwin.
Through a wonderfully diverse repertoire, arranged and curated by conductor Barry Forgie, the concert showcases and celebrates the musical genius of perhaps the most influential composer of the Twentieth Century. Gershwin’s legacy and influence not only continues to define a classic era of music, but also to crosses musical boundaries between Jazz, Popular, and Classical, and beyond.
The evening will feature a sparkling selection of music exploring the full spectrum Gershwin’s incredible body of work – all specially arranged for big band and performed in the orchestra’s own inimitable style. Expect numbers such as: ‘Fascinating Rhythm’ ‘Embraceable You’ and ‘A Foggy Day’, through to ‘Porgy & Bess’, ‘Prelude II’ and ‘An American in Paris’. The programme will (of course) culminate with a performance of the iconic ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, specially arranged for Big Band.
This very special concert also marks the centenary of Rhapsody in Blue’s first ever British performance in 1925 at the Savoy Hotel, where George Gershwin perform the piano part himself. Thanks to a live radio broadcast by the newly founded BBC, this brave new sound of America reached far beyond the crowds at the Savoy that night, right into thousands of British homes – making it a true landmark in British music history.
Expect an evening of truly world-class music, celebrating one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, and inspired his seminal performance of ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ in London 100 years ago.
World class. A brilliant musical force The Telegraph
Sheer brilliance … the BBC Big Band brought the house down The Guardian
One of the great European Jazz Orchestras. It would be difficult to imagine any band anywhere doing a better job The Observer
