Blossom Music Festival

July 3 – September 2 • Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Since 1968, the Blossom Music Festival, situated on 800 acres of rolling hills just north of Akron, has been the summer home of The Cleveland Orchestra. Over the years, this popular summer festival has expanded to today's ten-weeks of orchestral music, and a summer-long season of concerts devoted to various forms of popular music. On August 11, a rapt audience was entertained by George Gershwin himself.

The musical visitation was made possible by the Disklavier® DCFIIIS Pro's "solo" during the performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, with the 24-member Blossom Festival Band, culled from the ranks of the Cleveland Orchestra and conducted by Loras John Schissel, one of the leading conductors and scholars of his generation. Thanks to data generated from a paper piano roll created by Gershwin himself, the original 1920's composition sprang to life just as it was intended by the composer, arranger Ferde Grofé and bandleader Paul Whiteman. A spotlight even followed the 'ghost' of George Gershwin from the sidelines to the piano. "The Disklavier's technology seemed to pique the audience's interest," says Yamaha Consultant Brent Mills, who helped provide onsite technical support. "Guns and cannons are widely used to enhance the performance of the 1812 Overture, but very few audiences have seen the Disklavier Pro deliver a virtual performance of Gershwin's own playing. It was quite an emotionally thrilling experience." Edited material for the concert was provided by Yamaha consultant George Litterst, and Yamaha technician Max Michimoto was on-hand to assure the Disklavier's optimum performance.

 

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