TWO GERSHWIN PORTRAITS for Phil Smith & Wynton Marsalis

[jturrin]

Not many players know that several years ago I was commissioned by the NY Philharmonic and the city of New York to write a work for two trumpets and orchestra. To be premiered in Central Park by the NY Philharmonic with Kurt Masur, conductor and soloists Phil Smith and Wynton Marsalis. Titled TWO GERSHWIN PORTRAITS and based on two Gershwin songs.The piece is on rental from Gershwin Music and is a real work out for soloists and orchestra. Several years ago Alison Balsom performed one of the movements with the BBC but generally it's a piece that's not really known. Interestingly its was commissioned because on that date 100 years ago - not only was George Gershwin born but it was the date all 5 boroughs joined to became the city of New York.