Su Zhen

George Gershwin, an influential composer and pianist of the 20th century, skillfully blended jazz music elements with classical music. His innate talent elevated the artistic expression of both genres to unprecedented heights.

Conducted by Jin Ye, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (SZSO) will perform Gershwin’s “Cuban Overture” and “Porgy and Bess Suite,” the latter adapted by Morton Gould, on October 27 evening.

The program will also include William Walton’s “Viola Concerto,” another piece with jazz vibes, featuring violist Su Zhen as the soloist. Also collaborating will be German percussionist Cornelia Monske.

Originally titled “Rumba,” “Cuban Overture” is the first work Gershwin composed under the influence of musical theorist Joseph Schillinger. The piece, inspired by a short visit to Havana according to the composer himself, is filled with Cuban rhythms immediately reminiscent of Cuban dance.

Jin Ye

Compared with his earlier works, this one has the familiar fingerprints of his infectious rhythms and distinctive bluesy melodic strains, which are however guided by a considerably more sophisticated and learned hand.

“Porgy and Bess,” a three-act piece that premiered at the Alvin Theater in New York City in 1935, is considered to be the first great American opera. Audiences will hear in the suite many beloved numbers, including the arias “Summertime” and “I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin.’”

Walton’s “Viola Concerto” is a passionate and skillful piece composed per the suggestion of conductor Thomas Beecham for violist Lionel Tertis. Walton, a great admirer of Prokofiev, came up with a work that was influenced by the Russian composer’s “Violin Concerto No. 1” in its combination of lyricism and modern harmonies.

With more than 20 years of experience performing as a soloist, Su is the right person to headline this sophisticated piece.

After pursuing her postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London (RAM) under the tutelage of John White, Su served as the deputy principal violist of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra between 2000 and 2004. She’s currently a viola professor at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and a visiting professor at her alma mater RAM.

A soloist and chamber musician, Su has performed around the world and frequented festivals such as the Edinburgh International Music Festival and the Geneva International Music Festival.

Cornelia Monske

Monske studied marimba under Keiko Abe at the Toho Gakuen College of Music in Tokyo, and then with Robert van Sice at the Rotterdam Conservatory of Music.

Currently a professor at the Hamburg University of Music and Theater, she performs as a soloist and at chamber concerts around the world.

A professor of conducting at the China Conservatory of Music, Jin also serves as the music director and principal conductor of the Jilin Symphony Orchestra. He regularly guest-performs with the Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra and Leningrad State Symphony Orchestra, among others.

Time: 8 p.m., Oct. 27

Tickets: 50-880 yuan

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音樂廳)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宮站), Exit D