Jacksonville Symphony Blog

Program Notes: Conrad Tao Plays Prokofiev Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26: World Premiere: December 16, 1921; Chicago, Illinois (27 minutes) Though Sergei Prokofiev was from the Ukraine, his Third Piano Concerto has strong American connections. Prokofiev was the soloist in the first performance with the Chicago Symphony in 1921, under the direction of Frederick Stock. … Read More

Program Notes: Mozart, Brahms & Schumann Robert Schumann’s Overture, Scherzo & Finale, Op. 52:   (World Premiere: June 12, 1841; Leipzig, Germany)  (17 minutes) Literate and passionate, Robert Schumann was a quintessential composer of the Romantic Era.  Schumann often had feverish, intense bouts of composition. His wife, Clara Schumann, was one of the 19th-century’s greatest pianists. Schumann was also one of … Read More

Program Notes: The Magic Flute Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Magic Flute, K. 620 (World Premiere September 30, 1791; Vienna, Austria) (2 hours and 35 minutes) During the first scene of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a fearsome serpent pursues Prince Tamino. Amid stormy and ominous music, the handsome, young nobleman cries for help but is knocked unconscious. Within moments, three … Read More

Program Notes: Beethoven’s Fifth Jacksonville Symphony 2022/23 Florida Blue Classical Series Sean Shepherd’s Silvery Rills:   (World Premiere: March 6, 2011; Reno, Nevada)  (4 Minutes) What exactly is a rill? Sean Shepherd describes rills as ripples in river water.  Silvery Rills is a musical postcard about Shepherd’s home state: Nevada.  Listen for individual instrumental details that are both delicate and vivid, … Read More

Program Notes: 1,001 Nights: Scheherazade Jacksonville Symphony 2022/23 Florida Blue Classical Series Franz Liszt’s Les Préludes, Symphonic Poem No. 3: (World Premiere February 23, 1854; Weimar, Germany) (16 minutes) Franz Liszt is celebrated as one of the 19th century’s greatest virtuoso pianists. He is credited with inventing the piano recital as we know it. Music historians also regard him as … Read More

Program Notes: Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody Jacksonville Symphony 2022/23 Florida Blue Classical Series Igor Stravinsky’s A Game of Cards (Jeu de cartes): Stravinsky was an international figure. He lived in France and Switzerland before settling in the United States. He was arguably the most important ballet composer of the 20th century. Traditional folk music remained a source of inspiration throughout his career. … Read More

Program Notes: Copland’s Rodeo Jacksonville Symphony 2022/23 Florida Blue Classical Series Aaron Copland’s Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes: Copland was a native New Yorker but studied extensively in Europe. Four years of study in France with Nadia Boulanger, famous music instructor and conductor, solidified his compositional mastery. He found his distinctly American voice composing ballets and patriotic music. An important teacher, … Read More

Program Notes: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto Jacksonville Symphony 2022/23 Florida Blue Classical Series Claude Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun Debussy is generally categorized as an Impressionist composer. Literate and well-educated, he composed dozens of songs and set poetry by France’s symbolist poets. For the most part, Debussy avoided traditional forms like symphony, sonata and concerto. Far-Eastern music, particularly … Read More

Program Notes: Brahms’ German Requiem Jacksonville Symphony 2022/23 Florida Blue Classical Series Gustav Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer Mahler was better known during his lifetime as a conductor than a composer. Today he is celebrated for his symphonies, which are massive, lengthy works. He also composed many songs whose texts often relate to his personal and spiritual journey. He sought … Read More