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National Symphony Orchestra

Joshua Weilerstein conducts Bernstein & Dawson | John 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

Tickets Available In Subscriptions

Tickets Available In Subscriptions

  • Thu. May 29, 2025 7p.m.

    Tickets Available In Subscriptions

  • Fri. May 30, 2025 8p.m.

    Tickets Available In Subscriptions

  • Sat. May 31, 2025 8p.m.

    Tickets Available In Subscriptions

  • Genre

    Classical Music

Program

Joshua Weilerstein, conductor
John 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 John Kimura Parker.

Noseda conducting

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