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From the Metropolitan Opera to Jacoby Symphony Hall; La Bohème with Gabriella Reyes and Gregory Keller

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From the Metropolitan Opera to Jacoby Symphony Hall La Bohème with Gabriella Reyes and Gregory Keller Three months. That is all that remains on the countdown for the Jacksonville Symphony to showcase its largest production of the season: Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème. Since its premiere in 1896, performing arts stages across the world have captivated audiences with its narrative that beautifully presents the many faces of love. We follow young artists who learn lessons about passion, joy, sacrifice, and everything in-between. The performances will be … Read More

Program Notes: Beethoven to Brahms

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Leonore Overture No. 3, Op.72b Ludwig van Beethoven Born 16 December, 1770 in Bonn, Germany Died 26 March 1827 in Vienna, Austria Approximate duration 14 minutes Instrumentation: woodwinds in pairs; four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, timpani and strings Leonore is the heroine’s real name in Beethoven’s opera Fidelio. For most of the opera, she is disguised as the youth … Read More

Program Notes: Mozart’s Defiance

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Mozart’s stormy, passionate Concerto in C minor, K.491 must have startled his Viennese audience. The dark subtext coursing through this music prompts us to wonder what feelings of despair the composer harbored. Classicist he certainly was, but this concerto pushes the envelope persuasively close to the brink of romanticism. Its central slow movement is a masterpiece of woodwind writing, in … Read More

Program Notes: Brahms’ Pastoral Symphony

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Like many of Ravel’s orchestral works, Pavane for a Dead Princess originated as a solo piano piece. The Pavane was slow, processional 16th century court dance, probably of Italian origin. Spanish princesses were called infantas, and Ravel is said to have chosen the title because he liked the way it sounded in French! His single movement is poignant, elegant, and … Read More

Nickel for Your Thoughts: Mozart’s Dream

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In his own words, Vice President & 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. This week’s program features our second Mozart piano concerto of the season, nestled in between two pieces by Czech composers: Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák. Mozart’s connection … Read More

Review: Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony

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The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra presented “Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony” this weekend, a program consisting of two nineteenth-century masterpieces led by guest conductor Jonathon Heyward. Richard Wagner’s Overture from “The Flying Dutchman” started the evening off with Mr. Heyward taking the reigns with confidence and conviction and the orchestra responding in kind. The strings were immediately notable for their warm yet incisive tone, which allowed them to maintain crystal clear clarity throughout even the quietest passages. The Jacksonville Symphony’s fantastic brass … Read More

Review: Mozart’s Dream

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The Jacksonville Symphony’s Florida Blue Classical Series returned with “Mozart’s Dream” this weekend, a concert featuring W. A. Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major bookended by two works from Czech composers Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák. The concert began with Smetana’s well-loved Overture to “The Bartered Bride.” From the outset the strings displayed impressively strong intonation throughout the … Read More