Performances of Jessie Montgomery’s “Strum” for String Orchestra, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Tuba Concerto and Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1 will highlight the University Symphony Orchestra’s second performance of the season on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.
The evening of innovative symphonic works, from modern compositions that challenge the boundaries of symphonic music to time-honored works that have set the bar for instrumental virtuosity, begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for children or non-FSU students and free for FSU Students with valid ID.
“This is a real potpourri of sounds presented by our amazing University Symphony Orchestra,” said Gregory Jones, associate dean of the FSU College of Music.
The concert will begin with Montgomery’s “Strum” for String Orchestra with a “strumming pizzicato,” where stringed instruments will be plucked or strummed, rather than bowed.
The BBC hails Montgomery, an American composer, as “one of the most distinctive and communicative voices in the U.S., as a player and a creator.”
The ensemble will then feature Justin Benavidez, professor of tuba, performing the Ralph Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto. Alexander Jiménez, music director and conductor of the University Symphony Orchestra, said the performance will celebrate the “150th birthday anniversary of the eminent British composer.”
“What a privilege it is to study at FSU with a world-class tubist and see my own teacher perform at the upcoming concert,” said doctoral student Chris Bloom.
To conclude the concert, the University Symphony Orchestra will play Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1, which Jiménez described as “one of Sibelius’ most beautiful and moving works.”
William Salaman, author and composer of “Living School Music” provided a critique of Symphony No. 1 stating that “it is the starting point of a journey that led to his becoming the undisputed musical poet of his country and a figurehead for its emerging national identity.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tickets.music.fsu.edu.
