Concert Review: Swimming Against the Third Stream

The New York Philharmonic premieres (most of) Wynton Marsalis' new symphony.

by Paul J. Pelkonen

Trombonist Joseph Alessi was the featured soloist at the New York Philharmonic on Wednesday night.
Photo by Chris Lee. Copyright 2016 The New York Philharmonic.

In 1957, the nexus between the tradition of European classical music and American jazz was dubbed the "third stream" by the late composer Gunther Schuller. On Wednesday night at the New York Philharmonic, Alan Gilbert and his orchestra essayed this dangerous crossing with the world premiere of Wynton Marsalis’ new symphony The Jungle (Symphony No. 4). It shared the program with works by Aaron Copland and William Bolcom that also explored this juxtaposition of musical styles.

A Public Shaming from William Bolcom

Composer's new song "Aren't You Ashamed?" takes aim at Congress.

Composer William Bolcom.

The composer plays his song "Aren't You Ashamed?" written following the he wrote chiding the Senate following their failure to vote on more stringent background checks for gun ownership.

Congress bowed to pressure from the National Rifle Association after the call for stronger gun control legislation following the December slaughter of first graders in Newtown, CT.

It's a really great song. Video footage of the composer performing it after the jump.