Sibelius’ Violin and Elgar’s Enigma 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. Benjamin Britten’s Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell (Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra) World Premiere October 15, 1946; Liverpool, England 18 Minutes Benjamin Britten … Read More
Rachmaninoff’s Second 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. Brittany J. Green’s TESTIFY! (Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program World Premiere) World Premiere September 27, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida 8 Minutes “Many of my earliest musical memories are … Read More
Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection” 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. Symphony No. 2 in C minor, “Resurrection” World Premiere December 13, 1895; Berlin, Germany 90 minutes Gustav Mahler was one of the great post-Romantic symphonists. He wrote … Read More
Program Notes: Symphonie Fantastique Thomas Adès’ The Exterminating Angel Symphony World Premiere July 28, 2016; Salzburg, Austria (20 Minutes) The son of an art historian and a poet, Thomas Adès is a native of London. He studied at London’s Guildhall School of Music and King’s College Cambridge. Adès achieved success early, having a retrospective of his music when he was … Read More
Program Notes: Adelya Plays The Lark Ascending Edward Elgar’s In the South World Premiere March 16, 1904; London, England (20 minutes) In the early 20th century, Edward Elgar was England’s most significant musical figure. His best-known works are the Pomp and Circumstance marches and the Enigma Variations. Elgar did not achieve widespread success until his 40s. Edward Elgar composed In … Read More
Program Notes: The Pines & Fountains of Rome Adolphus Hailstork’s Epitaph for a Man Who Dreamed World Premiere January 17, 1980; Baltimore, Maryland (8 Minutes) Adolphus Hailstork has been a major figure in American music for more than five decades. His music fuses African, American and European traditions. Hailstork studied violin, piano, organ and voice in addition to composition. He … Read More
Program Notes: Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony Maurice Ravel’s La valse, poème chorégraphique: World Premiere December 12, 1920; Paris, France (12 minutes) Maurice Ravel is usually described as a musical impressionist, meaning that his work focuses on mood and atmosphere. He was actually more classical in his handling of melody and form. The cultures of the Far East, Africa and Spain fascinated … Read More
Program Notes: Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony Anna Clyne’s Restless Oceans: World Premiere January 22, 2019; Davos, Switzerland (3 minutes) London-born Anna Clyne is based in New York but has an international career. Her Prince of Clouds and Night Ferry were nominated for GRAMMY® Awards in 2015. Clyne collaborates regularly with choreographers, filmmakers and visual artists. Well-versed in technology, Clyne uses computer-controlled … Read More
Program Notes: Mozart, Vivaldi & Handel George Frideric Handel’s Zadok the Priest (Coronation Anthem No. 1): World Premiere October 11, 1727; London, England (6 minutes) George Frideric Handel’s principal instrument was organ, but he also played violin and harpsichord. In the early 1700s, Handel mastered Italian opera, working in several Italian cities. Beginning in the 1730s, he focused on English … Read More
Program Notes: Rhapsody in Blue & Rachmaninoff Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40: World Premiere March 18, 1927; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (24 minutes) Sergei Rachmaninoff was a major figure in post-romanticism. A brilliant pianist, he also wrote splendidly for orchestra. His music features lush themes and heart-on-the-sleeve sentimentality. He eventually settled in the U.S., enjoying great … Read More
