Jacksonville Symphony Blog

Performance Review: 1,001 Nights: Scheherazade The Jacksonville Symphony’s Florida Blue Classical Series presented “1,001 Nights: Scheherazade” this weekend, a colorful program of three mesmerizing works under the baton of guest conductor Elinor Rufeizen. Les Préludes, Symphonic Poem No. 3 by Franz Liszt Kicking off the evening was Les Préludes, Symphonic Poem No. 3 by Franz Liszt. Rufeizen led the Symphony … Read More

Performance Review: Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody The Jacksonville Symphony presented “Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody” this weekend, a luxurious program featuring three of the most important composers of the 19th and 20th centuries. A Game of Cards (Jeu de cartes) by Igor Stravinsky The concert opened with Igor Stravinsky’s A Game of Cards. Of the three works offered on the evening’s program, this was likely … Read More

Performance Review: Copland’s Rodeo The Jacksonville Symphony presented “Copland’s Rodeo” this weekend, a generous and energetic program featuring four works by American and Mexican composers under the baton of guest conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto. Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes by Aaron Copland Opening the evening was the Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes by Aaron Copland.  Extracted from the 1942 ballet Rodeo, these … Read More

Performance Review: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto The Jacksonville Symphony’s Florida Blue Classical Series presented “Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto” this weekend, a generous program of three beloved symphonic masterpieces that saw a return to the podium of former Jacksonville Symphony Associate Conductor Nathan Aspinall. Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun by Claude Debussy The concert began with Debussy’s shimmering Prelude to the … Read More

Performance Review: Brahms’ German Requiem The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Chorus teamed up with baritone John Michael Moore, soprano Joélle Harvey and the University of North Florida Chorale and Chamber Singers to present “Brahms’ German Requiem” this weekend. This generous program of German Romantic music featured Gustav Mahler’s “Songs of a Wayfarer” alongside the eponymous work by Johannes Brahms. Songs … Read More

Performance Review: Bach, Beethoven & Brahms The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Florida Blue Classical Series returned in fine form this weekend with “Bach, Beethoven and Brahms,” a generous and highly enjoyable program consisting of works by three of the most beloved composers in the classical canon.  Orchestral Suite No. 3, by Johann Sebastian Bach Music Director Courtney Lewis led a small … Read More

Performance Review: Beethoven’s Ninth The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s Florida Blue Classical Series concluded in great fashion this weekend with “Beethoven’s Ninth: Ode To Joy,” a program featuring the seminal nineteenth century masterwork alongside a world premier by contemporary composer Tarik O’Regan. “Trances,” by Tarik O’Regan The evening kicked off with “Trances” by British-American composer Tarik O’Regan. O’Regan was present for … Read More

Performance Review: Mozart’s Groundbreaker The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra presented “Mozart’s Groundbreaker: Piano Concerto No. 25,” a generous program featuring two Austro-Germanic symphonic classics bookending a contemporary work. “Symphony No. 95,” by Franz Joseph Haydn The concert kicked off with Franz Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 95 in C minor. Music Director Courtney Lewis launched into the work with confidence and poise, … Read More

Performance Review: Appalachian Spring The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra presented “Appalachian Spring” this weekend, a program consisting of three works by American composers directed by Associate Conductor Gonzalo Farias. Just before beginning the concert Mr. Farias led the orchestra in the Ukrainian national anthem as a sign of support for the Ukrainian people in light of the events currently unfolding there. … Read More

Review: Beethoven to Brahms The Florida Blue Classical Series presented “Beethoven to Brahms” this weekend, a program consisting of two well-loved Germanic masterpieces led by Guest Conductor Markus Stenz. Beethoven’s “Leonore Overture No. 3” The program opened with Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Leonore Overture No. 3,” which was rendered with lyricism and zest. From the very opening bars it was clear … Read More