Rhapsody in Blue

New Years Eve Pops

Rhapsody in Blue

Ring in the New Year with the SLO Symphony! Pianist Maxim Lando will perform Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, in celebration of its 100th Anniversary, and Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 1. The program will also include works from Hollywood icons, including John Wiliams’ acclaimed score from Home Alone, Alan Silvestri’s Polar Express, and Michael Abel’s inspiring Global Warming (named for the warming of cultures, not necessarily the climate). 

The concert begins at 7:30 PM, and we will countdown to the New Year with the East Coast Ball drop at 9 PM.

Tuesday December 31, 2024, 7:30pm

San Luis Obispo Performing Arts Center

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Soloist sponsor: Mark Sherman and Denise Barilla

Program Details

John Williams

Hymn to New England

  • Composed 1987
  • Written as the accompaniment to “New England Time Capsule”
  • Read more

Alan Silvestri

Polar Express Suite

  • Composed 2004
  • Featuring selections from the film score
  • Read more

Williams

Home Alone

  • Composed 1990
  • Featuring selections from the film score
  • Read more

Sergei Prokofiev

Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 10

  • Composed 1912
  • Featuring pianist Maxim Lando
  • Read more

Michael Abels

Global Warming

George Gershwin

Rhapsody in Blue

  • Composed 1924
  • Featuring pianist Maxim Lando
  • Symphonic version orchestrated by Ferde Grofé in 1942
  • Read more

Classical 101:
More About This Program

  • The distinctive clarinet glissando (smooth slide between notes) began as a joke in rehearsal by clarinetist Ross Gorman. Gershwin liked it so much he asked Gorman to perform it that way
  • Ferde Grofé also orchestrated the first version of “Rhapsody in Blue” for Paul Whiteman’s 16-member orchestra in 1924. Listen to the original on YouTube here
  • Michael Abels is the composer for the TV series “Star Wars: The Acolyte”
  • Alan Silvestri played guitar for Wayne Cochran (“The White Knight of Soul”) and the CC Riders
  • Prokofiev’s early life highlights the importance of music education. He was inspired by hearing his mother play Chopin and Beethoven on the piano. The young prodigy composed his first piano piece at age five and his first opera at nine!
  • Abels’ “Global Warming” was inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall and the thawing of international relations occurring at the time
  • Williams’ “Hymn to New England” was orchestrated by arranger and Boston Pops percussionist Pat Hollenbeck in time for the 1987 premiere with the Boston Pops. According to Hollenbeck, Williams “had other commitments”

What You’ll Hear

Enjoy a preview of what we have in store for you. This curated playlist is available in Apple Music and Spotify. To hear the entire pieces instead of excerpts, log in to your music service account or open the playlist in the app.

Note: Although the recordings of “Home Alone” and “Polar Express” include choir, this concert will not include a choir, unless the audience sings…