Staff report
The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra re-imagines beloved classical masterpieces with its high-octane big band at two concerts this weekend.
Swingin’ the Classics performances will be held at Covington’s Devou Park on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and at Tower Park in Fort Thomas at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Music Director James Cassidy has assembled a regional all-star jazz orchestra to play works by Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Verdi, Holst and more as swing.
The evening kicks off with Eugen Cicero’s adaptation of C.P.E. Bach’s Solfeggio in C minor for jazz piano trio, followed by a newer Jeremy Levy big band adaptation of Gustav Holst’s “Mars” from The Planets. Several Billy May arrangements (from the 1950s) follow including classical hits by Ketèlbey, Dvorak, Bizet, Verdi, Brahms and a killer re-working of Franz von Suppe’s Poet and Peasant Overture.
Following intermission the band turns to inventive charts of the late Gordon Goodwin and his forays into the music of J.S. Bach, Mozart and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, like you’ve never heard it.
The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra swings the classics.
Bring a picnic, blankets or lawn chairs.
Admission is free, thought donations are encouraged at the staffed donation boxes.
Concessions and food trucks will be available.
Visit kyso.org for more information, directions and concert registration (for weather updates) or call (859) 431-6216.
Want to avoid the crowds? The final dress rehearsal at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Devou Park is open to the public, and Sunday’s concert will be livestreamed.
Please register for weather updates: here for Devou Park and here for Tower Park. Providing your contact information allows KSO to share any changes directly.