James Gaffigan conducts Marsalis and Dvorak

May 2020 sees the San Francisco Symphony performing Dvorak's 'musical postcard' from America - the stunning Symphony no. 9 in E minor, popularly known as the New World Symphony. Conducted by New York's James Gaffigan, the concert also features two other visions of the American sound; a rendition of Jessie Montgomery's acclaimed Starburst for string ensemble and a rousing performance of jazz virtuoso Wynton Marsalis' Violin Concerto featuring the talents of violinist Nicola Benedetti.

The New World Symphony came about during Dvorak's tenure as director of the National Conservatory of Music of America, taking influence from a keen interest he developed in Native American music and the musical traditions of African-American spirituals, leading him to strongly encourage the development of the American sound through the customs of its everyday people. Conductor James Gaffigan is currently chief conductor of the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester and guests here as part of a busy season which also sees him conducting the Chicago and Detroit symphonies and Orchestre National de France, among others. The concert is a part of SF Symphony's celebration of the American sound throughout the year.