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Additions to traditions: Jacksonville Symphony adds two new programs to holiday season offerings

Jacksonville Symphony Newsletter

The holiday season at the Jacksonville Symphony is shaping up to be more magical than ever with the introduction of two thrilling additions: Big Band Holiday and Holiday Brass, Organ & Percussion. Known for its annual favorites like Holiday Pops, Handel’s Messiah and First Coast Nutcracker, this year’s 75th Season celebrations promise to be bigger and brighter. Now in its … Read More

Behind the bows: Q&A with Alexei Romanenko on Dvořák’s Cello Concerto

Jacksonville Symphony Newsletter

Dvořák’s Cello Concerto is a monumental work in the cello repertoire. How do you approach the emotional depth and complexity of this piece in your interpretation? “[Antonín] Dvořák wrote this concerto during a tumultuous time near the end of his three years in the U.S. There were complications with his employment as Director of the National Conservatory of Music in … Read More

Under the spotlight: MILOŠ revives the classical guitar with the Jacksonville Symphony

Jacksonville Symphony Newsletter

The Jacksonville Symphony is proud to welcome MILOŠ, one of today’s most celebrated classical guitarists, to the stage for the Florida Blue Classical Series performances of Rodrigo & Ravel’s Boléro on November 8 and 9. Led by Associate Conductor Kevin Fitzgerald, this highly anticipated event features Joaquín Rodrigo’s iconic Concierto de Aranjuez, alongside Maurice Ravel’s enchanting Boléro and Alborada del … Read More

Beyond the barriers: Nathaniel Efthimiou leads the JSYO for a triumphant season ahead

Jacksonville Symphony Newsletter

Nathaniel Efthimiou has officially embarked on his first season as the Music Director of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras (JSYO) and Assistant Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony, holding the Winston Family Endowed Chair. On November 10, he leads the JSYO through a successful opening performance of their 2024/25 Season, the Fall Concert, which showcases the talents of the Foundation Strings, … Read More

Performance Review: Sibelius’ Violin & Elgar’s Enigma

Symphony Review

Jacksonville Symphony Celebrates the Season with Britten, Sibelius and Elgar The Jacksonville Symphony ushered in Northeast Florida’s season of sweater weather this weekend with two concerts on their Florida Blue Classical Series. After a week with temperatures dipping into the 50s, the Symphony performed masterworks from even colder climates, including Benjamin Britten’s “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra” and … Read More

Performance Review: Rachmaninoff’s Second Concerto

Symphony Review

Jacksonville Symphony brings VIPs to the stage in Classical Series opener On the heels of Hurricane Helene’s devastating arrival and departure, a sizable audience gathered at Jacoby Symphony Hall for an evening of moving music. The Jacksonville Symphony continued its celebration of its 75th anniversary season on Friday and Saturday nights with a knack for assembling a cast of musical … Read More

Beethoven’s “Emperor” Program Notes

Program Notes

Beethoven’s “Emperor” Program Notes    Program Notes by Laurie Shulman © 2024. Reproduction of all or part of these notes without explicit written permission from the Jacksonville Symphony is strictly prohibited.    Samuel Barber’s Overture from The School for Scandal  World Premiere August 30, 1933; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 8 Minutes    Lyricism and neo-romanticism are hallmarks of Samuel Barber’s music. Barber was an … Read More

Mozart’s Requiem & Double Concerto Program Notes

Program Notes

Mozart’s Requiem & Double Concerto Program Notes   Program Notes by Laurie Shulman © 2024. Reproduction of all or part of these notes without explicit written permission from the Jacksonville Symphony is strictly prohibited.    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante in E-flat major, K. 364  World Premiere Unknown  30 Minutes   In addition to fortepiano, Mozart played violin and viola exceptionally well.  He … Read More

Dvořák’s “New World” Program Notes

Program Notes

Dvořák’s “New World” Program Notes   Program Notes by Laurie Shulman © 2025. Reproduction of all or part of these notes without explicit written permission from the Jacksonville Symphony is strictly prohibited.    Valerie Coleman’s Seven O’Clock Shout Virtual World Premiere June 6, 2020; Philadelphia Orchestra 6 Minutes    Valerie Coleman is equally well known as performing flutist and composer. She did … Read More

Beethoven & Rachmaninoff Program Notes

Program Notes

Beethoven & Rachmaninoff Program Notes   Program Notes by Laurie Shulman © 2024. Reproduction of all or part of these notes without explicit written permission from the Jacksonville Symphony is strictly prohibited.  Guillaume Connesson’s Flammenschrift (Flame Writing)  World Premiere November 8, 2012; Paris, France 10 Minutes    Guillaume Connesson is fascinated with cosmic phenomena.  Disco, funk and minimalism play a role in … Read More