Jacksonville, Fla. (January 8, 2026) — The Jacksonville Symphony presents “Bruckner’s Majestic Eighth” on Jan. 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Jacoby Symphony Hall as part of its Florida Blue Classical Series. Led by Music Director Courtney Lewis, the program showcases Anton Bruckner’s monumental work of grandeur and introspection.
The program will run for one hour and thirty minutes with no intermission, providing audiences with a nonstop journey of Bruckner’s orchestration. Composed during a period of personal turmoil and artistic opposition, this work is vast in scale and spiritual in character. Shaped by the composer’s deep religious faith, the work unfolds patiently, building towering musical structures that move from mystery toward transcendence.
Across four movements, the symphony progresses with a sense of inevitability. The opening rises from quiet tremolos to powerful climaxes, the Scherzo balances relentless energy with lyricism, and the Adagio offers one of Bruckner’s most expansive and moving slow movements. The finale draws together themes from the entire work in a sweeping conclusion.
“The Eighth Symphony provides access to a realm untouched by any other music I know,” said Lewis. “This is a space containing the deepest questions spiritual questions, and in my opinion, many of the answers.”
Tickets are available at JaxSymphony.org or by calling the Box Office at 904.354.5547. This concert is part of the Florida Blue Classical Series.
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 155,500 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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Media Contact: Savannah Silliman Marketing and Public Relations Manager Jacksonville Symphony ssilliman@jaxsymphony.org