| Friday 12 March 2027 | 20:00 |
| Ellington, Duke (1899-1974) | Symphonic Works for Orchestra (arr. Jeff Beal) | |
| Beal, Jeff (b. 1963) | Concerto for Saxophone | |
| Lecuona, Ernesto (1896-1963) | Suite Andalucía (orch. Janina Norpoth) | |
| Gershwin, George (1898-1937) | An American in Paris (arr. Javier Diaz) |
| Orpheus Chamber Orchestra | |
| Branford Marsalis | Saxophone |
The Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, masters of collective music-making, collaborate with saxophonist Branford Marsalis. For years, they have engaged in a shared musical language, in which jazz, classical and improvisation converge with effortless authority.
At the heart of the performance lies Jeff Beal's Saxophone Concerto, composed specifically for Marsalis and Orpheus: virtuosic, rhythmic and razor-sharp. Additionally, there are symphonic arrangements of Duke Ellington, in which jazz finds its way into the concert hall without losing its swing.
After the intermission, we'll hear music by Ernesto Lecuona, often referred to as the ‘Cuban Gershwin’ - a subtle stepping stone to George Gershwin himself. While Gershwin is being featured this season with Chineke! Orchestra in Porgy and Bess, here he is presented from a different perspective: in a vividly drawn city portrait in An American in Paris.
The answer? This amalgamation of classical, jazz and Latin, performed by a premier ensemble with an iconic soloist, promises a powerful fusion of style and craftsmanship.
