In his own words, Artistic Administrator Tony Nickle shares what he believes to be the high points of the program, but with a little edge and humor for good measure. Boy, do we have a doozie for you this week: The Song of the Earth by Gustav Mahler may be the program I’ve been most excited about all season. I’ve never seen it performed live, and I’d venture … Read More
Nickel for Your Thoughts: Schumann and Bartók
In his own words, Artistic Administrator Tony Nickle shares what he believes to be the high points of the program, but with a little edge and humor for good measure. As I’ve been thinking about writing this week’s Masterworks blog, I keep coming back to this notion of people’s tastes. It’s a tricky thing, because so many things seem to inform our own. I’m … Read More
Schumann’s heartbreaking Second one of Lewis’ favorites
When I’m asked the impossible question, “What’s your favorite symphony”, I usually refuse to answer, but inside my head a voice always cries out: Schumann’s Second! Robert Schumann (1810-1856) was the archetypal Romantic: he loved poetry as much as music, couldn’t decide whether to be a musician or a writer, married another artist (the great pianist Clara Wieck), struggled with … Read More
Nickel for Your Thoughts: Beethoven’s Seventh
In his own words, Artistic Administrator Tony Nickle shares what he believes to be the high points of the program, but with a little edge and humor for good measure. Happy Ides of March and St. Patty’s, everyone. This week’s program is such a juicy delight, featuring my favorite of all Beethoven symphonies and an organ concerto that shows off everything a … Read More
Nickel for Your Thoughts: Britten and Schumann
In his own words, Artistic Administrator Tony Nickle shares what he believes to be the high points of the program, but with a little edge and humor for good measure. As we welcome the music of English composer Benjamin Britten this week, we should count ourselves lucky that Northeast Florida has generously been providing us with suitably drab London-esque weather … Read More
Nickel for Your Thoughts: Beethoven’s Eroica
In his own words, Artistic Administrator Tony Nickle shares what he believes to be the high points of the program, but with a little edge and humor for good measure. Two weeks ago we performed an interesting journey through the American sound with Dvořàk’s New World Symphony and Jessie Montgomery’s Banner. This week we take on what are arguably the bookends of German Romanticism in the symphonic rep: a rogue C-sharp … Read More
Nickel for Your Thoughts: Dvořák’s New World
In his own words, Artistic Administrator Tony Nickle shares what he believes to be the high points of the program, but with a little edge and humor for good measure. What a day. I’m writing this just hours after the Inauguration Ceremony. It was certainly filled with many moving moments, but particularly powerful to me was Amanda Gorman’s captivating reading of her poem, … Read More
Nickel for Your Thoughts: Mozart’s Prague and Prokofiev
In his own words, Artistic Administrator Tony Nickle shares what he believes to be the high points of the program, but with a little edge and humor for good measure. Happy New Year! I hope everyone has some optimism brewing for 2021. I am so excited about this week’s program, especially because we welcome back the sensational cellist, Joshua Roman. This is … Read More
Arts organizations are a good community investment
We are still in the midst of a global pandemic and the sheer magnitude of the lives affected by COVID-19 is hard to fathom. As we all know, great news has arrived with the approval of several vaccines and thus we know there is light at the end of the tunnel, provided that enough people receive both doses of the … Read More
Nickel for Your Thoughts: Tchaikovsky’s String Serenade
In his own words, Artistic Administrator Tony Nickle shares what he believes to be the high points of the program, but with a little edge and humor for good measure. I hope all of you had an enjoyable and safe Thanksgiving. No doubt it was difficult for many who were unable to celebrate in typical fashion. This weekend’s program could … Read More