CSO Jun 1

June 1
2024 Ravinia Festival Opening Night: Celebration of Americana

Marin Alsop, Chief Conductor of the Ravinia Festival, leads the CSO in a program celebrating American composers. Opening the program is Copland’s Suite from Appalachian Spring, followed by Johnson’s Charleston. Next, soloist Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha joins in Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Op. 24. Rounding out the program is Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, featuring pianist Michelle Cann.

John Stafford Smith
(arr. Stock)

The Star-Spangled Banner

Aaron Copland

Suite from Appalachian Spring (full orchestra version)

James P. Johnson
(orch. Davind Rimelis,
arr. Nicholas Hersh)

Charleston

Samuel Barber

Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Op. 24
Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha soprano

George Gershwin
(orch. Grofé)

Rhapsody in Blue

James P. Johnson
(ed. and arr.
Nicholas Hersh)

Victory Stride (encore)
Michelle Cann piano
Marin Alsop conductor
July 2024

Charles Ives
(arr. Schuman)

Variations on America
Morton Gould conductor
1966 (RCA)

Morton Gould

Spirituals for Orchestra
Morton Gould conductor
1965 (RCA)