Orchestra presents two classics, and world premiere of “Beneath the Frozen Lake”

The Jacksonville University Orchestra will span three centuries of compositional styles in its Oct. 21 free concert featuring music by Joseph Haydn, Maurice Ravel and JU’s own Dr. Michael Olson.

Beneath the Frozen Lake by Olson, an assistant professor of Music Business in the College of Fine Arts, combines the sublime sound of the orchestra with pre-recorded electronic sounds.

“This piece really stretches the students and opens their minds to a very contemporary sound,” said Music Director Dr. Marguerite Richardson. “It is great for the students to experience something very different from traditional ‘classical’ music. For this piece, I will have to wear headphones with a click track to keep me and the orchestra synchronized with the electronic sounds, since the two sets of ‘performers,’ both live and recorded,’ have to line up.”

The orchestra will also perform Ravel’s iconic work Bolero, known for its hypnotic theme that is passed from one instrument to another throughout the work, building to a thrilling climax. Rounding off the program is Haydn’s Symphony No. 45, The Farewell, one of the great master’s most beloved works.

The concert is at 7:30 p.m. in Terry Concert Hall on the JU campus, 2800 University Blvd. N. The performance is free to the public. For more information, contact the JU Division of Music at (904) 256-7370.

To see the entire 2014-15 JU College of Fine Arts Performing Arts Series, click here.