Music of the Heartland
George Gershwin (1898 – 1937), an American composer By unnamed photographer in employ of Bain News Service - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cph.3b02101.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the
On this week's Prairie Performances, Friday night at 7 pm on WILL-FM 90.9: In this program of music that defines our country, the Champaign-Urbana Symphony will perform blockbuster favorites by Aaron Copland; and George Gershwin’s immortal Rhapsody in Blue, with pianist Rich Ridenour. The moving text and music of Copland’s Lincoln Portrait carry special meaning here in the Land of Lincoln. Roger Cooper, your host of Prairie Performances, is the narrator. Many still consider Copland’s Symphony No. 3 the greatest American symphony written to date. Its rugged themes and optimistic rhythms culminate in a dazzling finale based on Fanfare for the Common Man.
Music of the Heartland
Champaign-Urbana Symphony
Stephen Alltop, conductor
Rich Ridenour, piano
Roger Cooper, narrator
COPLAND | Lincoln Portrait
GERSHWIN | Rhapsody in Blue
COPLAND | Symphony No. 3