Jacksonville, Fla. (September 30, 2024) — The Jacksonville Symphony presents its second Florida Blue Classical concert of the 2024/25 Season with “Sibelius’ Violin & Elgar’s Enigma” on October 18 and 19, 2024 led by Music Director Courtney Lewis. The program features internationally acclaimed violinist Stefan Jackiw in Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations and Benjamin Britten’s Variations for Orchestra.
Stefan Jackiw, celebrated worldwide for his virtuosity and expressive performances, takes center stage with Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, one of the most challenging and rewarding works in the violin repertoire. Known for its technical demands and emotional depth, this concerto promises to captivate the audience, making Jackiw’s performance a key highlight of the Symphony’s 75th Anniversary Season.
The program also features Elgar’s Enigma Variations, a beloved orchestral work that provides vivid character portraits of the composer’s friends and loved ones, including the famous "Nimrod" variation.This emotional tribute to friendship and support is well recognized, often played in remembrance services and featured in film such as Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk. "The music is full of passion, brilliant orchestration, with even a pipe organ thrown in at the end to increase the excitement” says Lewis. “[This is] one of the most important pieces in English music, and one of my favorites.”
The Symphony will also perform Britten’s Variations for Orchestra, an engaging work for audiences of all ages. Also known as the Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, it is structured to show off the various sections of the orchestra and their capabilities, an intriguing piece for new and returning patrons.
Tickets are available at JaxSymphony.org or by calling the Box Office at 904-354-5547. This concert is sponsored by Florida Blue.
About the Jacksonville Symphony
The Jacksonville Symphony is North Florida’s leading nonprofit performing arts organization offering live performances at Jacoby Symphony Hall in the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts and other venues throughout the area. Led by President and CEO Steven Libman and Music Director Courtney Lewis, the Jacksonville Symphony reaches over 165,500 individuals through over 95 performances each season. In addition, the Symphony provides music instruction for youth and operates the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras. For more information about the Symphony, visit JaxSymphony.org.