German National Orchestra

German National Orchestra – Official Partner of the Berlin Philharmonic
Wayne Marshall conductor & piano
German–British–Choir Academy

Britten The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
Gershwin, orch. Grofé Rhapsody in Blue
Holst The Planets

The remarkable Wayne Marshall performs double duty as conductor and pianist in the work that invented American classical music: George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

From the opening clarinet wail to the rousing climax, Gershwin’s timeless Rhapsody is one of the few truly iconic works in the canon. The composer himself played the piano part at its 1924 premiere – and tonight, Wayne Marshall serves as both soloist and conductor for this Jazz Age masterwork.

The German National Orchestra completes the programme with two much-loved works from our side of the Atlantic. Benjamin Britten takes a little-known Purcell melody and takes it on a journey through the orchestra in his delightful Young Person’s Guide. Then, to close, Gustav Holst leads us on an interstellar voyage through the solar system, from magnificent Mars to mystical Neptune.