Tallahassee, FL – The Florida State University College of Music is thrilled to announce a special performance by Members of the University Symphony Orchestra (USO), a chamber orchestra that showcases the talented musicians of the USO in an up-close, intimate setting, conducted by Dr. Alexander Jiménez, Professor of Conducting and Director of Orchestral Activities. This unique concert will take place on Friday, November 1, at 7:30 pm in Opperman Music Hall, featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of works by Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Honegger.
The concert will open with Pastorale d’Été (Summer Pastorale) by Swiss composer Arthur Honegger, a rarely performed work that beautifully captures the essence of a serene summer morning. This piece sets the stage for the more close-up chamber experience, inviting the audience into a delicate exploration of sound.
One of the evening’s highlights will be Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, performed by this year’s Doctoral Concerto Competition winner, Bang-Shyuan Chen, with doctoral assistant conductor Guilherme Rodrigues at the podium. The concerto showcases Mozart’s elegant, conversational writing between soloist and orchestra, making it a perfect fit for the concert’s close-knit atmosphere.
“Mozart’s Piano Concerto in A Major strikes a perfect balance between simple, elegant themes against creative development of texture, harmony, and dialogue between the piano and orchestra,” shares Chen. “Working on this concerto has been a source of delight and inspiration in response to Mozart’s brilliance. I am excited to share that joy and inspiration with the audience at my coming performance.”
The evening will close with Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 in A minor, often called the “Scottish Symphony,” conducted by Director of Orchestras Alexander Jimenéz. This passionate and evocative work draws from Mendelssohn’s impressions of the Scottish landscape, balancing romantic nostalgia with sweeping, dynamic themes.
According to Jimenéz, this performance by Members of the USO offers an especially rare opportunity for audiences to experience pieces that may not fit the larger orchestral concerts. “Because this is not a concert series event, I believe a number of our patrons may not be aware of our “Members of the USO.” This group plays music for chamber orchestra that would not be heard necessarily in one of our large USO concerts. It is an opportunity to watch the fine musicians of the USO working in a more intimate and immediate setting.”
No tickets are required for this event, it is free and open to all. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a dynamic and intimate concert with Members of the USO!
What: Members of the USO Chamber Orchestra Concert
When: November 1, 7:30 pm
Where: Opperman Music Hall
