Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Season Opener: An American Playlist

Join the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra in a joyful, heartfelt tribute to American musical genius! The program opens with Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to Candide—a whirlwind of wit, sparkle and orchestral color. Duke Ellington’s Harlem follows, painting a vibrant sonic portrait of one of New York City’s most iconic neighborhoods. Grammy Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann makes her DSO debut in Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement—a bold, expressive work by the first African American woman to gain recognition as a symphonic composer. The concert concludes with George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, featuring Cann as soloist. From its unforgettable clarinet glissando to its exhilarating fusion of classical form and jazz spirit, this masterpiece captures the vibrant spirit of early 20th-century America.