Atlantic: Orchestre Pasdeloup
Paris, Philharmonie de Paris — Grande Salle: Pierre Boulez
About the Event
A captivating panorama of American music in which Gershwin and the works of the increasingly popular composer Florence Price resonate with the famous ‘New World’ Symphony, premiered in New York in 1893.
Whilst Florence Price’s Suite of Dances draws its inspiration from traditional South American tunes, Augusta Read Thomas conceived *Of Paradise and Light* as a piece ‘where a sliver of paradise and light descends to illuminate a garden of colourful flowers’, placing her work in the tradition of Barber’s *Adagio*. As for Dvořák’s ‘New World’ Symphony, whilst it does not explicitly quote African‐American melodies, it profoundly captures their spirit. Rich in memorable themes, striking colours and rhythms, it was an immediate success: ‘The audience applauded for so long that I had to express my gratitude from my box, like a king,’ the composer recalled after its premiere.
Program
Florence Price
Suite of Dances
Florence Price
Night, arr. Benoît Coutris
Florence Price
An April Day, arr. Benoît Coutris
George Gershwin
Summertime
Augusta Read Thomas
Of Paradise and Light
George Gershwin
My Man’s Gone Now
Anonymous
Wade in the Water – African‐American spiritual
Antonín Dvořák
Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New World’
Cast / Production
Orchestre Pasdeloup
Johanna Malangré, direction
Mariamielle Lamagat, singer
Address
Philharmonie de Paris, 221 avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris, France — Google Maps
