Mid-Atlantic Symphony Premier of “Rhapsody In Red, White And Blue”

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra will present the Maryland and Delaware premieres of Peter Boyer’s “Rapsody in Red, White and Blue” on Sunday, May 5, at 3 p.m. at the Todd Performing Arts Center at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, MD, preceded by premiere performances. Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m. in Lewes, DE and Saturday, May 4, at 7 p.m. in Ocean City, MD.

The musical composition, commissioned by and featuring world-acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Biegel, celebrates the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s “Rapsody in Blue” and will be premiered until 2026 in each of the 50 states to honor the 250th birthday of the United States of America in 2026. The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, the Delmarva Peninsula’s only professional orchestra, is honored to be awarded the premieres for Maryland and Delaware. Grammy-winning conductor Michael Repper, the Orchestra’s conductor, is teaming with Grammy-nominated composer Peter Boyer for the performance.

The work is cast like Gershwin’s in a single multi-sectional movement that similarly captures propulsive energy, along with allusions to blues influences and lyrical evocations of American vistas. The piano soloist, Jeffrey Biegel, has created a multi-faceted career as a pianist, recording artist, composer and arranger. His electrifying technique and mesmerizing touch have received critical acclaim and garnered praise worldwide.

The patriotic theme of the concert will be continued with Aaron Copland’s classical composition “Appalachian Spring”. The piece was originally composed as a ballet score for choreographer Martha Graham. The music is imbued with Copland’s characteristic open harmonies, folk melodies, and rhythmic vitality, reflecting his intention to create a distinctly American sound.

The third piece in this patriotic concert honors our Native Americans. ‘Chokfi”. the Cherokee word for rabbit, which is an important trickster legend within Southeast American Indian culture. It was composed by Jerod Tate for the Oklahoma Youth Symphony. Different string and percussion techniques and colors represent the complicated and diabolical personality of this rabbit person, and incorporate a popular tribal church hymn as the melodic and musical base.

Tickets are available online at midatlanticsymphonyorchestra.org