California Symphony ready to celebrate Gershwin in big a way

Two world premieres, three commissioned works, and a centenary celebration of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” are among the highlights of the California Symphony’s 2023-24 season.

The season, announced by the Walnut Creek-based orchestra’s music director, Donato Cabrera, is set to run Sept. 30 to May 5, 2024, and features five subscription programs, beginning with “Copland — American Traditions” (Sept. 30-Oct. 1), featuring Copland’s Suite from “Appalachian Spring.” Also on the program: Wynton Marsalis’s Violin Concerto in D, Ruth Crawford Seeger’s “Rissolty Rossolty” and Juan Pablo Contreras’ “MeChicano,” a California Symphony co-commission.

Programs continue with “Handel — Rivers of Inspiration” (Nov. 11-12, 2023), featuring Handel’s “Water Music,” Suites 1 and 2; Robert Schumann’s “Rhenish” Symphony, and “Chance of Rain” by Viet Cuong, California Symphony’s 2020-23 American Composer-in-Residence.

2024 programs begin with “Gershwin in New York” (Jan. 27-28), featuring a trio of guest artists — pianist Marcus Roberts, bassist Marty Jaffe, and drummer Jason Marsalis — in an arrangement of “Rhapsody in Blue,” marking the work’s 100th anniversary. Samuel Barber’s Symphony No. 1 and William Dawson’s “Negro Folk Symphony” complete the program.