Sound of the Sun
ERIC JACOBSEN, VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WITH BRANFORD MARSALIS
FOR YOUR
GRAMMY® CONSIDERATION
Best Classical Instrumental Solo
Best Arrangement, Instrumental Or A Cappella
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2,
mvt IV. Urlicht (Primal light)
“Under Jacobsen's direction, the VSO offers a vibrant palette against which Marsalis soars.”
— AllMusic
ABOUT
LISTEN
The soulful sounds of the saxophone played by multi-GRAMMY-award-winning Branford Marsalis pairs perfectly with the evocative works of British composer Sally Beamish and Mahler. Led by Eric Jacobsen with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, this album delivers the songful melancholy of the Mahler songs, played by Marsalis, combined with the freneticism and imagery of Sally Beamish’s two rarely heard works, brought to a center stage.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
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, andeducator —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.
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 together they have a daughter.
Founded in Norfolk, Virginia in 1920, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra continues to challenge expectations and push the boundaries of what an American orchestra can be. The VSO is the largest professional performing arts organization in southeastern Virginia, bringing its artistic excellence to 1.8 million people across 17 distinct cities. Through appearances at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall and its commitment to adventurous programming, the orchestra has garnered media coverage including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, and BBC Worldwide News. Recent recordings have featured collaborations with banjoist Béla Fleck and violinist Gil Shaham.
Appointed in 2021, Music Director Eric Jacobsen, The Macon and Joan Brock Chair, continues to expand the VSO’s vision to attract wider audiences with engaging concert experiences and innovative programming. Rounding out the artistic leadership team are Connie and Marc Jacobson Music Director Laureate JoAnn Falletta and Norfolk native Thomas Wilkins in the role of Principal Guest Conductor, reflecting the VSO’s commitment to tell its communities’ stories.
