Rhapsody in Blue

Repertoire Morton Gould: American Salute Karl Wilhelm Brandt: Konzertstück n. 2, op. 11 George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue Leonard Bernstein: Facsimile, choreographic essay for orchestra. Premiere of the band version Leonard Bernstein: Dybbuk, ballet suite.

Premiere of the band version Artists Banda Municipal de Barcelona (BMB) José R. Pascual-Vilaplana, conductor Sergei Nakariakov, trumpet Programme The fusion of jazz and band music takes centre stage at the opening concert.

Morton Gould's American Salute, written in 1943, transforms a Civil War folk song into a brilliant, direct piece with a clear communicative purpose.

Karl Wilhelm Brandt's Konzertstück is part of the virtuosic tradition for trumpet and band, featuring late Romantic writing designed to showcase the soloist—Sergei Nakariakov on this occasion—without losing orchestral density.

The central moment arrives with George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, presented here in a version for solo trumpet that highlights Nakariakov's extraordinary musicality.

This iconic work, which synthesises jazz and classical music with a naturalness that would define an era, makes us picture Manhattan.

The programme also includes premieres in band version—transcribed for wind and percussion—of two ballets by Leonard Bernstein, Facsimile (1946) and Dybbuk (1974).

Pascual-Vilaplana's conducting will highlight the timbral richness of the BMB in a show full of colour, rhythm and energy. More information Rhapsody in Blue concert on L'Auditori website Last updated: 26/06/2026