Jacksonville, Fla. (October 23, 2024) — The Jacksonville Symphony presents its third Florida Blue Classical concert of the season with “Rodrigo & Ravel’s Boléro” on November 8 and 9, led by Conductor Kevin Fitzgerald and featuring one of the world’s most celebrated classical guitarists Miloš Karadaglic. The program is full of flair, passion and the spirit of Spain with Maurice Ravel’s Boléro, Manuel de Falla's The Three-Cornered Hat Suite No. 1, Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez and more.
The concert weekend promises to be an exciting experience for all attendees, brimming with rhythm and recognizable melodies. The iconic Boléro, is one of the most frequently performed pieces, receiving massive attention after it was featured in the 1979 film “10” starring Dudley Moore and Bo Derek. Musicians will perform two additional pieces by Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole and Alborada del gracioso.
“Ravel has been the center of my musical universe for as long as I can remember, and so when I was given a chance to program these three pieces, all inspired by his love for the music of Spain, I didn't hesitate,” said Fitzgerald. “Ravel isn't just a composer; he is an alchemist of sound. His use of orchestral sound transports us to another universe; one filled with passion, sensuality and iridescence.”
Karadaglic, known as MILOŠ, has appeared as a soloist with other great orchestras including the London and LA Philharmonics, Atlanta Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Orquesta Nacional de España, Santa Cecilia Rome and NHK Tokyo. The Symphony is thrilled to welcome him for this performance, where he’ll shine during Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez – a piece full of drama and electricity.
“Throughout the veins of Spanish music, a profound rhythmic beat seems to be diffused by a strange phantasmagoric, colossal and multiform instrument … that might be said to possess the wings of the harp, the heart of the grand piano and the soul of the guitar … The Aranjuez Concerto is meant to sound like the hidden breeze that stirs the treetops in the parks, and it should be only as strong as a butterfly,” said Rodrigo circa. 1939.
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.
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