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South Florida Symphony Orchestra highlights its opening concert in the Icons & Rebels Masterworks season by performing composer Geoge Gershwin’s “Rhapsody In Blue” featuring guest pianist Benjamin Hochman along with two more classical music compositions on November 13 at The Parker in Ft. Lauderdale and on November 16 at New World Center in Miami Beach.
“Opening with ‘Rhapsody In Blue’, one of the most consequential works by an American composer ever, performed with Benjamin Hochman’s sparkling virtuosity is sure to energize audiences, ” said South Florida Symphony Orchestra Music Director/Conductor Sebrina Alfonso.
In 2024, “Rhapsody in Blue” is celebrating its centennial with major orchestras throughout the world featuring Gershwin’s famed 18 minute composition in their concerts.
Gershwin’s famed composition is regarded by music historians as the most important and beloved piece of music of the 20th century.
“Rhapsody in Blue” established Gershwin’s reputation as an eminent composer and, beyond the concert stage, was used in the Gershwin biographical 1945 film “Rhapsody in Blue”, by Walt Disney Productions in the 1999 animation film “Fantasia 2000” and in the United Airlines one minute commercial seen often for years on television..
As a result, “Rhapsody in Blue” has been beloved by multiple generations of Americans for 100 years.
“I am excited to play what is perhaps the most well-known and beloved virtuoso composition created by George Gershwin 100 years ago,” said Hochman.
“This is the first time that I will be performing with Sebrina (Alfonso) and the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, so I very much look forward to our collaboration. Gershwin’s genius allowed him to bridge the gap between classical music, jazz and popular music in creating so many musical variations. It is not only what Gershwin wrote for the piano that makes the composition memorable, but also him including the opening notes on the clarinet and so many other instruments.”
Born in Jerusalem, the 44-year-old Hochman debuted as a solo pianist with the Israel Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall in New York in 2004 His stirring performances earned Hochman numerous musical awards over his career.
In 2015, Hochman developed an autoimmune condition affecting his left hand and spent most of his time learning the art of conducting orchestras. Within three years, Hochman was invited to conduct orchestras around the world.
By 2018, Hochman had fully recovered from his medical condition and pursued his love of performing on piano.
“To say the least, the years 2015-2018 were a dramatic time in my life. I was lucky to have great medical support and I spent my time wisely learning how to conduct music and being encouraged by my musical colleagues,” said Hochman.
Also featured in the South Florida Symphony Orchestra opening concert will be the SFSO premiere of composer Sergei Prokofiev’s “The Love for Three Oranges Suite” as well as “Symphony No. 1” by Sir Edward Elgar.
“Prokofiev is known for his neoclassical, modernistic approach to music. His composition is a whimsical musical jaunt about a cursed prince who is forced to journey to distant lands in search of three large oranges, each containing a princess,” said Alfonso.
“Elgar composed a rare feat, composing a symphony in A- flat major. As a violinist, Elgar knew the challenges of playing in A-flat major and in his composition beautifully explores the human experiences of love and hope,” added Alfonso.
South Florida Symphony Orchestra will perform the centennial of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with guest pianist Benjamin Hochman as well as Sergio Prokofiev’s “The Love for Three Oranges Suite” and Sir Edward Elgar’s “Symphony No. 1” on Wednesday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m. at The Parker, 707 NE 8th Street in Ft. Lauderdale and on Saturday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m. at New World Center, 500 17th Street in Miami Beach. Tickets range from $25-115 at both venues and the SFSO is also selling subscriptions of five concerts each in the Icons & Rebels Masterworks season at both The Parker and New World Center.
To buy tickets and subscriptions and for more information, go to southfloridasymphony.org or call 954-522-8445.
