Glorious Gershwin at the Saber Center

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“New” applies to several elements of this upcoming concert, appropriately describing the season, orchestra, conductor, soloists, venue and, for many people, the music. The Southwestern Suburban Symphony and Music Director Christine Flasch focus exclusively on George Gershwin for their first concert. To many classical music lovers, even today, his oeuvre is somewhat unfamiliar territory, but it’s territory worth exploring.

Gershwin began his career in Tin Pan Alley, but by the time of his tragically early death he was the darling of both Hollywood and Broadway, his songs a completely successful blending of sophistication and sentimentality. But most of the classical world turned its collective nose up at him; this changed with time and exposure. His Rhapsody in Blue (1924), a free-flowing work and one of classical music’s first ventures into jazz, opens with a wailing clarinet glissando—one of the most thrilling moments in music history (Gershwin’s provocative “Hello, I’m here!”). Eight years later he was soaking up the hot sun and local music of Cuba, both of which abound in his sparkling Cuban Overture .

Gershwin’s masterpiece and one of America’s greatest operas arrived in 1935, the beloved Porgy and Bess . Utilizing its beautiful themes to the hilt, fellow composer Robert Russell Bennett excerpted therefrom a lush orchestral suite. In addition to these more formal pieces, the program features several of Gershwin’s popular songs.

Craig Terry, assistant conductor of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, is the piano soloist for Rhapsody in Blue and coloratura soprano Alicia Berneche lends her voice to Gershwin’s songs. This concert takes place at the Saber Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23. For further information, visit swssymphony.org or call 414-427-9428.