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 gracioso, Manuel de Falla’s vibrant ballet The Three-Cornered Hat Suite No. 1 and Ravel’s Rapsodie espagnole suites.
MILOŠ has been credited with reviving the classical guitar for modern audiences. His rise to global stardom began in 2011 with the release of his debut album Mediterraneo, which spent 28 weeks at the top of the UK Classical charts. Since then, MILOŠ has performed with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including the London Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra and many more.
“Since the very beginning, it has been important for me to bring the guitar and its magic to as many people as possible. I grew up in a small country where the awareness of the classical guitar was not huge. And yet, whenever I would play for people, in whichever context, something would change, and they would be able to connect with it on a deep, emotional level. I believe this is the very reason why guitar is the most loved instrument in the whole world,” said MILOŠ. “When I started my career and released the first album all those years ago, it was a different time, and you would rarely see a classical guitarist performing with major orchestras and in major festivals. Seeing that open and being the catalyst for change in this context was the role and a mission that I always took very seriously. I feel that is what I will continue to do through my work, through commissioning new repertoire and reaching new audiences for the rest of my life as a musician.”
His pioneering artistry has brought the classical guitar to new heights, and his mission to expand its repertoire continues to shape the instrument’s future. In 2016, he was named one of the “Six of the Best Classical Guitarists of the Past Century” by BBC Music Magazine, and the New York Times hailed him as “one of the most exciting and communicative classical guitarists today.”
Now signed exclusively with SONY Classical, MILOŠ continues to evolve the classical guitar’s presence in the concert world. His newest album, Baroque, features an exquisite selection of works transcribed for guitar, while his previous release, The Moon and the Forest, showcases two world-premiere concertos by Howard Shore and Joby Talbot.
This November, MILOŠ will bring his virtuosity to Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez in Jacoby Symphony Hall. This piece remains the most frequently performed guitar concerto. The Concierto transports listeners to the royal gardens of Aranjuez, with its vibrant dance rhythms and unforgettable melodies. Its slow movement evokes a deep sorrow, thought to reflect Spain’s struggles during the Civil War, while the outer movements celebrate Spain’s rich heritage. The Concierto de Aranjuez is not only a cornerstone of the guitar repertoire, but it also carries a deep, emotional resonance. The slow movement, while a lament for Spain at the time, also speaks universally to themes of love and loss.
“I’m very much looking forward to performing Rodrigo’s Concerto de Aranjuez with the Jacksonville Symphony and to meet audiences there. I have been to Florida many times, but this will be my first time in Jacksonville. Rodrigo’s Concerto de Aranjuez is one of the most iconic and beautiful works in the classical music repertoire. And the reason for that is it’s simply able to connect the listener with their innermost feelings and emotions. Music is a language we all understand simply because it’s a language of emotions, and that’s why it is so relevant today in the world, which is very complex and when we need that sort of respite,” said MILOŠ. “What I love about this concerto is that I never feel that I have mastered it. Each time I play it with a different orchestra or a different conductor, it evolves, in the same way as I evolve as an artist and as a human being. The second movement is one of the most beautiful and deep pieces of music that I have ever played, and each time I perform it, I feel so incredibly privileged that this is what I do and that through that work, I am able to connect with so many people at such a deep level, through the power of music. Rodrigo has given us one of the greatest gifts as guitarists, and it’s something that I never take for granted.”
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience MILOŠ live with the Jacksonville Symphony. For tickets and more information, visit JaxSymphony.org.
