Antonio Cabrero Mendoza, director of the International Symphony Orchestra in San Miguel de Allende, is offering a piano concert dedicated to the music of George Gershwin on Thursday, March 5, 7 p.m. at the Auditorio de la Ribera.
One of the most significant figures in the history of jazz, Gershwin’s musical style is deeply rooted in folklore and improvisation. “Rhapsody in Blue” and the opera “Porgy and Bess” are examples of his unique ability to make symphonic music without losing the impromptu essence of jazz.
Gershwin incorporates advanced harmonies and textures to simple “blues” inspired tunes and displays great craftsmanship and academic precision in composing classical works that were destined to change jazz forever.
The influence of Gershwin improved the quality of the Broadway musical theater and the love songs and instrumental pieces of the “Golden Era” of music in the United States, now widely referred to as jazz standards. Gershwin is the most important link between Broadway musical theater, jazz film music, swing dance music, the jazz song, the opera and the symphony.