Dive into the elemental power of water — from the soulful currents of Duke Ellington’s The River to the vast, choral expanse of Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony.
Program
Duke Ellington The River
Ralph Vaughan Williams Symphony No. 1, A Sea Symphony
Venue
Music HallWhat's Interesting
Explore the elemental power of water through two bold visions. Duke Ellington’s jazz-infused The River flows with elegance and swing, portraying the river’s journey from tranquil beginnings to its powerful arrival at the sea. Its momentum leads into Ralph Vaughan Williams’ monumental A Sea Symphony, which sets the poetry of Walt Whitman in a choral celebration of the ocean’s mystery and majesty — part hymn, part voyage into the unknown. Together, these works invite us to listen deeply — to the pull of tide and current, and to the human longing for connection and discovery.
Want to Learn More?
RSVP HERE for an in-person tour of the 2026 May Festival with artistic leaders Matthew Swanson, Director of Choruses and Jason Alexander Holmes, Associate Director of Choruses. Enjoy champagne and chocolates as you learn about the stories and insights behind the season at Music Hall on Sunday, NOV 2 at 5 PM. RSVP to Kathryn Zajac Albertson: [email protected] by Thursday, OCT 30.