Sponsored by:

Karen & Jim Atchison

Robert & Joanna Cunningham

Laura Lee Pattillo Norquist Foundation

Scott Speck, conductor
Aldo López-Gavilán, pianist

Leonard Bernstein    –    West Side Story: Symphonic Dances
(1918-1990)

Arturo Márquez    –    Danzón No. 2*
b. 1950

INTERMISSION

Guido López-Gavilán    –    Guaguancó*
b. 1944

George Gershwin    –    Rhapsody in Blue
(1898-1937)                  Aldo López-Gavilán

Speck Speaks
Music Director Scott Speck Discusses the Concert:

“We are thrilled to bring back Aldo Lopez-Gavilán. He’s one of the very few musicians today whose palpable delight in the togetherness of music-making reminds me of Yo-Yo Ma. Because Aldo is such a force of nature, we’ve programmed this concert to play to his strengths. His rendition of Rhapsody in Blue has to be experienced to be believed; he channels George Gershwin’s spirit of improvisation in a way that few concert pianists can accomplish. Speaking of improv, we will also have the opportunity to hear Aldo improvise at the piano, creating a mini musical masterpiece in the moment, on the Saenger stage. 

Aldo, who lives in Havana, truly comes from Cuban musical royalty. His father is a major composer; his mother is a concert pianist; his brother has graced our stage in Mobile as a violinist in the Harlem Quartet; and his sister is a conductor. So it’s only natural that — in addition to Rhapsody in Blue and Aldo’s improvisation — this concert includes an orchestral showstopper by his father Guido. Plus a fantasy on Cuban rhythms by the Mexican composer Arturo Márquez. Oh, and did we mention West Side Story?” – Scott Speck

*The presentation of this work is made possible by a generous donation to MSO’s Symphonic Innovations Fund