The UNLV Symphony Orchestra celebrates the heritage and evolution of American music at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26 in Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall.
Under the direction of music director and conductor Taras Krysa, the orchestra will perform an inspiring selection of pieces including George Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue, Peter Boyer’s evocative Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue, and Virko Baley’s introspective Symphony No. 2: Red Earth. This concert blends classical, jazz, and contemporary American sounds, and continues UNLV’s commitment to providing transformative musical experiences.
Tickets are $20 and available at the Performing Arts Center Box Office, online, or at 702-895-ARTS (2787). Discounts are available.
About the Program
Highlighting the program is the Nevada premiere of Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue, a new work by acclaimed composer Peter Boyer. Conceived as a modern companion to Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, Boyer's composition was inspired by pianist Jeffrey Biegel’s vision to honor Gershwin's legacy on the piece's centennial. Boyer's work weaves jazz influences and pays homage to America’s diverse cultural landscape with a blend of optimism and complexity. The piece, premiered in Utah to great acclaim, is part of the Rhapsody National Initiative, which has secured performances by 57 orchestras across all 50 states by 2026. This ambitious project also features a world-class recording with the London Symphony Orchestra, released by Naxos in early 2024.
Internationally celebrated pianist Jeffrey Biegel, whose life story resonates with a unique “reverse Beethoven” experience due to hearing challenges corrected in childhood, will perform Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue with the UNLV Symphony Orchestra. Known for commissioning over 25 new works for piano, Biegel’s dedication to American music shines through in his efforts to bring contemporary compositions to wider audiences. His recording of Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue has received critical acclaim, and his recent Grammy-nominated recording Dreams of the Fallen further highlights his artistic range and commitment to meaningful music.
Baley’s Symphony No. 2: Red Earth, subtitled Duma, a Soliloquy, offers audiences an intense reflection on natural landscapes, ancestral heritage, and historical tragedy. Conceived after Baley’s transformative visit to the vivid canyons of Sedona, Arizona, the symphony is inspired by the haunting triad of colors—red, blue, and green—reflected in the earth, sky, and foliage. The simplicity and richness of this triad became the thematic foundation of Red Earth, represented by three musical pitches: D, E, and F. As Baley describes, the color red, especially in Sedona’s landscape, echoed themes of spilled blood and resilience, interweaving these powerful images with his heritage and the somber verses of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko.
About the UNLV College of Fine Arts
The College of Fine Arts educates, empowers, and engages creative people to become visionary change-makers in the arts through acts of imagination. At UNLV we believe the arts are an essential good for society. We make education relevant and accessible through our programs and outreach. We create new knowledge in the arts. We celebrate independent thought and the power of bringing people together to foster creativity.
