GREAT FALLS — The Great Falls Symphony will begin its 63rd season on Saturday, October 2nd, at 7:30 pm at the Mansfield Theater.
The event is called "Rhapsody," with pianist Awadagin Pratt performing George Gershwin’s classic "Rhapsody in Blue."
Tickets for the concert are available at the Mansfield Box Office at 2 Park Drive South; by phone at 406.455.8514 (Monday-Friday 11:00 am to 4:30 pm); or online at gfsymphony.org/rhapsody.
From the website:
- Ludwig van Beethoven: Overture to Egmont
- Beethoven's heroic music set to Goethe's tragic play. The composer revered Goethe, calling him “the foremost German poet.”
- Jennifer Higdon: Celebration Fanfare/Amazing Grace
- Two short string works by this Pulitzer and Grammy winner, who is today's most often performed American composer.
- George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
- The composer's most popular work. From the first notes, as recognizable as Beethoven's 5th.
- William Grant Still, Jr.: Serenade
- Pretty and bluesy music with a surprise - Great Falls connection.
- Alberto Ginastera: Four Dances from Estancia
- It's heart-poundingly rhythmic as it portrays the cowboy/gaucho life on an Argentine ranch.
The Great Falls Symphony said in a news release that Pratt has performed with major national and world orchestras. He was the first student in the Peabody Conservatory of Music’s history to receive diplomas in three performance areas – piano, violin, and conducting. He also made a guest appearance on "Sesame Street."
Pratt is currently a Professor of Piano at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. He also served as the Artistic Director of the World Piano Competition in Cincinnati and is currently the Artistic Director of the Art of the Piano Festival at CCM. Click here to visit his website.
