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National Symphony Orchestra

Joshua Weilerstein conducts Bernstein & Dawson
Jon Kimura Parker plays Gershwin

Concert Hall

The NSO brings you William Dawson’s stirring Negro Folk Symphony—a work one New York critic called “the most distinctive and promising American symphonic proclamation which has so far been achieved.” Joshua Weilerstein completes the program with Bernstein’s ever-popular Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and Gershwin’s jazz-infused Rhapsody in Blue.

May 29 - 31, 2025

  • Thu. May 29, 2025 7p.m.

  • Fri. May 30, 2025 8p.m.

  • Sat. May 31, 2025 8p.m.

  • Genre

    Classical Music

Program

Joshua Weilerstein, conductor
Jon Kimura Parker, piano

William Dawson: Negro Folk Symphony
George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Leonard Bernstein: West Side Story – Symphonic Dances

In November of 1934, 35-year-old African American composer William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony brought a Carnegie Hall audience to its feet. Now, the NSO brings you the stirring symphony one New York critic called “the most distinctive and promising American symphonic proclamation which has so far been achieved.”

Joshua Weilerstein completes the program with quintessential music by two champions of the Great American Songbook: Leonard Bernstein’s ever-popular Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and George Gershwin’s jazz-infused Rhapsody in Blue featuring pianist Jon Kimura Parker.

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Season Sponsors

The Amici di Gianandrea, The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Truist, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities

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