On Sunday: UT Symphony Celebrates 100th Anniversary of ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ With Pianist Sean Chen

The University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with its October concert featuring pianist Sean Chen. Chen was a Van Cliburn 2013 medalist and appeared with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra in 2015 performing Gershwin’s Concerto in F. While in residence, Chen will also be offering master classes to UT College of Music students.

Rhapsody in Blue was first performed on February 12, 1924, in Aeolian Hall, New York City, by bandleader Paul Whiteman and his 23-member orchestra with Gershwin himself as pianist.  The work had been orchestrated by Ferde Grofé. The work was immediately successful and gained immense popularity with audiences. Interestingly, as one might expect, the critical commentary was a bit begrudging of respect. Olin Downes of the New York Times wrote: “This composition shows extraordinary talent, as it shows a young composer with aims that go far beyond those of his ilk, struggling with a form of which he is far from being master.”

Few, though, could begrudge Gershwin the admiration for his piano performance. One critic wrote: “George Gershwin, it seems all too obvious, could be a concert pianist to reckon with, had he set his course in that direction.”

Chen was the Winner of the 2013 American Pianist Awards and a 2013 Medalist in the Van Cliburn Competition. In addition to Rhapsody in Blue, Chen will perform Gershwin’s Second Rhapsody, a rarely-performed piece.