Pasadena Symphony to Mark Rhapsody in Blue Centennial with 20th Century Program

New music director Brett Mitchell will lead orchestra's tribute to Gershwin classic alongside Debussy and Ravel works
Published on Oct 30, 2024

Brett Mitchell, Mason Bates and Stewart Goodyear [photo credit: Pasadena Symphony and POPS]

Pasadena Symphony and POPS will commemorate the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with performances featuring acclaimed pianist Stewart Goodyear on Nov. 16 at the Ambassador Auditorium. 

Brett Mitchell, named Music Director in March 2024 and beginning his five-year term this season, will conduct the program at the venue known as the Carnegie Hall of the West. 

The performances at Ambassador Auditorium, located at 131 S. Saint John Ave., will begin with contemporary composer Mason Bates’ “Sea-Blue Circuitry,” followed by the celebrated Gershwin piece. 

The program’s second half features two aquatic masterworks: Ravel’s “Une barque sur l’océan” and concludes with Debussy’s “La Mer” as the orchestral finale. 

Goodyear, described by the Los Angeles Times as “a phenomenon” and by the Philadelphia Inquirer as “one of the best pianists of his generation,” will perform the iconic Gershwin piece. 

The concert marks Mitchell’s second appearance with the orchestra following his October debut conducting Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, which Classical Voice praised as “coming across brilliantly in lush, orchestral Technicolor.” 

Mitchell previously served as Music Director of the Colorado Symphony from 2017 to 2021, where the Denver Post noted he “has been a bright and engaging presence over the years.” 

Mitchell’s distinguished career includes positions as Associate Conductor with The Cleveland Orchestra and Assistant Conductor of the Houston Symphony, bringing extensive experience to his new role. 

The performances, scheduled for 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., will include a pre-concert discussion with KUSC host Brian Lauritzen and Mitchell, alongside Symphony Lounge offerings of beverages and light dining. 

Tickets for the performances start at $49, offering audiences access to one of the most significant venues for classical music in the Western United States.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://pasadenasymphony-pops.org/.

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