Program:
Leonard Bernstein: Candide – Overture
George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Aaron Copland: El salón México
George Gershwin: An American in Paris – Symphonic Poem
Featuring: Krisztina Fejes (piano)
Conductor: Harry Curtis

In the 2025–2026 season, the Szolnok Symphony Orchestra celebrates the 60th anniversary of its founding. This distinguished concert is one of the highlights of the season, focusing on some of the most outstanding works of American classical music. The evening’s program features masterpieces by composers who enriched 20th-century music with new sounds and a distinct national character.

Leonard Bernstein: Candide – Overture
The opening piece of the concert is the energetic, playful, and highly virtuosic overture from Bernstein’s world-famous operetta. Characteristic of the composer’s style, it merges classical form with Broadway vitality, providing a fitting start to this celebratory evening.

George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Rhapsody in Blue, created at the crossroads of jazz and classical music, is an iconic work of modern American music. The dialogue between piano and orchestra alternates between improvisatory and poetic moods. Pianist Krisztina Fejes takes on the soloist role.

Aaron Copland: El salón México
Aaron Copland draws inspiration from Mexican musical folklore in this piece, evoking the atmosphere of an imaginary Mexican dance hall. The composition reflects a distinctive side of American music, characterized by folk influences, rhythmic richness, and colorful orchestration.

George Gershwin: An American in Paris
The evening concludes with Gershwin’s expansive symphonic poem, which captures the experiences of an American traveler strolling through the streets of Paris. Its sound world combines the delicacy of European impressionism with the ease and vibrancy of American jazz.

This specially curated program not only pays tribute to the great American composers but also celebrates the six decades during which the Szolnok Symphony Orchestra has become a defining presence in Hungary’s musical life.

Organizer: Szolnok Symphony Orchestra Nonprofit Ltd.