Jazz influences symphony’s season opener

Noting Richmond’s history as the “Cradle of Recorded Jazz,” Richmond Symphony Orchestra features two George Gershwin compositions in its season opener.

RSO’s 69th season, themed “A Place to Belong,” begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, in Civic Hall.

The concert, called “American Rhythm & Color,” spotlights Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” and Piano Concerto in F with guest pianist Norman Krieger, chair of Indiana University Jacobs School of Music’s piano department.

Other works include John Adams’ foxtrot “The Chairman Dances” and Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite.”

Music director Andrés Lopera begins his third season with his traditional opener, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” a tradition he established in 2023.

Guest concertmaster Stacey Woolley said an orchestra’s opening concert sets the tone for the entire season.

In a news release, Woolley said Lopera’s choice of Adams’ rhythmic drive, Gershwin’s jazz influences and the lushness of Stravinsky’s “Firebird” “makes clear that audiences will be treated to a nice mix of vitality and beauty at RSO concerts. They will also have a lot of fun.”

Both Woolley and Krieger performed during the concert Lopera conducted to win the RSO job.

Krieger said he’s eager to collaborate with the ensemble and Lopera again, especially during the 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s concerto.

“It makes me proud that I was part of that historic night,” Krieger said. “It was so clear to me that Andrés was a major talent and a perfect match for the Richmond Symphony.”