Former City Center Encores! conductor Rob Fisher will host the 7:30 PM evening, which will boast the talents of Shoshana Bean, Darius de Haas, Judy Blazer, Rebecca Luker, Ron Raines, Joshua Rosenblum, Emily Skinner and violinist Mark Steinberg. About the upcoming concert, Fisher said in a statement, “Many composers write music for the theatre as well as art music. The distinction is always blurry, if not downright academic. This evening will investigate how composing for one purpose informs another; in the case of George Gershwin, his ear for the popular idiom definitely influenced his concert music, and his serious study of composition strengthened his songwriting for theatre and film.”
Concertgoers can expect to hear a world-premiere "Clarinet Quintet" by Stephen Schwartz; a performance of the Gershwin “Preludes” with Fisher at the piano; and Jason Robert Brown’s recently commissioned piano sonata, “Mr. Broadway.” The evening will also feature a discussion between Fisher and composer Schwartz about the relationship between the Broadway musical and classical music.
Symphony Space is located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street. For tickets call (212) 864-5400. Visit www.symphonyspace.org for more information.