Branford Marsalis saxophone
Eric Jacobsen conductor
Virginia Symphony Orchestra 1
BY GUSTAV MAHLER
GUSTAV MAHLER
Branford Marsalis
From his early acclaim as a saxophonist bringing new energy and new audiences to the jazz art, Branford Marsalis has refined and expanded his talents and his horizons as a musician, composer, bandleader, and educator—a 21st century mainstay of artistic excellence. Growing up in the rich environment of New Orleans as the oldest son of pianist and educator Ellis Marsalis, Branford was drawn to music along with siblings Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason. His first instrument, the clarinet, gave way to the alto and then the tenor and soprano saxophones when the teenage Branford began working in local bands. A growing fascination with jazz as he entered college gave him the basic tools to obtain his first major jobs, with trumpet legend Clark Terry and alongside Wynton in Art Blakey’s legendary Jazz Messengers. When the brothers left to form the Wynton Marsalis Quintet, the world of uncompromising acoustic jazz was invigorated. Branford formed his own quartet in 1986; since then, the Branford Marsalis Quartet has long been recognized as the standard to which other ensembles of its kind must be measured. Some might gauge Branford Marsalis’s success by his numerous awards, including three Grammys and (together with his father and brothers) his citation as a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts. To Branford, however, these are only way stations along what continues to be one of the most fascinating and rewarding journeys in the world of music.
Eric Jacobsen
Already well-established as one of classical music’s most exciting and innovative young conductors, Eric Jacobsen combines fresh interpretations of the traditional canon with cutting-edge collaborations across musical genres. Hailed by the New York Times as “an interpretive dynamo,” he has built a reputation for engaging audiences with innovative and collaborative programming. Eric joined the Virginia Symphony Orchestra as Music Director in 2021, being named the twelfth music director in the orchestra’s 100+ year history. He is also Music Director of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, as he continues to pioneer both orchestra’s programming and community engagement in new and exciting directions. Eric is artistic director and co-founder of The Knights, the uniquely adventurous NYC-based chamber orchestra. As conductor, Jacobsen has led the “consistently inventive, infectiously engaged indie ensemble” (New York Times) at venues throughout New York City and surrounding areas, at major summer festivals, and on tour nationally and internationally. Eric brings joy, storytelling, and a touch of humor to what he describes as “musical conversations” that delight audiences around the world, including those who do not traditionally attend classical music concerts. Jacobsen is married to Grammy-Winner singer-songwriter Aoife O’Donovan and they have a fiveyear-old daughter, Ivy Jo.
Produced by Louis Levitt, Christian Amonson, and Kristen Bennington. Engineered and mastered by Christian Amonson. Recorded at Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach, VA, December 5, 2021. Cover art by Dathan Kane. Design by Haeg Design.
As the region’s most celebrated musical, educational and entrepreneurial arts organization, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra continues to challenge expectations and push the boundaries of what an American orchestra can be. The VSO is the largest performing arts organization in southeastern Virginia, presenting more than 150 concerts and events annually for more than 100,000 residents and visitors, and has received national attention for its unique mission serving a home area of 1.7 million across its diverse communities.
The selection of the dynamic conductor Eric Jacobsen as music director in 2021 was another bold step forward for the VSO, further expanding its vision to attract wider and larger audiences with engaging concert experiences and creative and relevant programming. Rounding out the artistic leadership team is Norfolk native Thomas Wilkins in the role of Principal Guest Conductor, reflecting the VSO’s commitment to tell its community’s stories and advance the important conversations that will promote understanding and belonging among all residents.
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
VIOLIN I
Vahn Armstrong
Yun Zhang
Allison Kim
Mayu Cipriano
Jorge Aguirre
Seiko Syvertsen
Kirsty Barnett Green
Olivia Cottrell
Violaine Michel
Elaine Swinney
Satoko Fukasawa
Virginia Flores
Lesa McCoy Bishop
VIOLIN II
Elizabeth Coulter Vonderheide
Jonathan Richards
Anna Bishop
Yu-Chia Hsiao
Angelina Gandolfo
Brendon Elliott
Amanda Gates
Lenore McIntyre
Delaney Turner
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PRODUCERS’ CIRCLE
Mrs. George Helfrich
Diane and Bob Petterson
Jane and Win Short
Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Cooper
Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. McClellan
Steve and Lynne Winter
Erwin B. Nachman
F. Blair and Jane S. Wimbush
Anonymous
Ms. Christina L. Goode
Garland Tillery and Jim Early
Ronald and Celia Adolphi
Martha Goode and Blair Mielnik
David Helfrich
Stan & Renee Howard
Sarah Umlauf
Carol Flitter
Justin Stanley
VIOLA
Satoko Rickenbacker
Jocelyn Smith
Matthew Umlauf
Alexandra Takasugi
Fitz Gary
Jena Chenkin
Michael Daniels
Rebecca Gilmore Phillips
Nancy Keevan
Carter Melin
Ismar Sergio Gomes
Daniel Mumm
Lui Chong Berz
Elizabeth Richards
BASS
Chris White
Scott Harris
William McPeters
Kynan Horton-Thomas
Tom Reel
Matthew Brvenik
FLUTE
Debra Wendells Cross
Joanne Meyer White
Rachel Ordaz
OBOE
Sherie Lake- Aguirre
George CorbettCLARINET
Michael Byerly
Scott Boyer
William Thomas
BASSOON
Laura Leisring
David Savige
Elizabeth Roberts
HORN
Jeremy Tonelli-Sippel CELLO
Jacob Wilder
Stephen Slater
Everett Burns
Alex Laskey
Emily Hagee TRUMPET
David Vonderheide Adam Gandolfo
McElroy
Antonetti Rodney Martell
Peter DuBeau TIMPANI Michael Laubach
PERCUSSION
Robert W. Cross
Jackson
Lance Pedigo
HARP
Barbara Chapman
GENERAL MANAGER Christy Havens
PERSONNEL MANAGER
Jim Nesbit
LIBRARIANS
Carl Wilder
Paula Bonds