Principal Clarinetist Jorge Diez made a splash onstage last year during his first season with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and is back in the spotlight for the upcoming Bravo concert “Epic Dreamscape,” November 22, 7:30 p.m. at Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center.
This comes right on the heels of his marvelous turn in MSO’s Duling Hall debut, “Quad Fusion,” with the mesmerizing, soulful delight of Kinan Azmeh’s Ibn Arabi Postlude.
“Jorge is all over this fall. We’re wearing him out,” MSO Conductor Crafton Beck teased. MSO’s 2025-26 “Season of Genius” highlights top-flight talent from music on the page to music on the stage.
Remember last season, when he and MSO 2nd Clarinetist Lowell Hollinger brought the house down in the “Mozart Glow” concert with Franz Krommer’s Concerto No. 2 for Two Clarinets?
“The audience just ate the two of them up,” said Beck. “Lowell’s never played better and Jorge is as fine a musician as we’ve ever had. The audience just loved it!” He continued, “They got a standing ovation for, like, four minutes. We immediately knew that we needed to feature Jorge at a Bravo concert.”
Expect another listening treat in “Epic Dreamscape,” as Diez dives into Claude Debussy’s Premiere Rhapsody and Carl Maria von Weber’s Concertino in E Flat – two standouts in the clarinet repertoire that offer an illuminating peek into the instrument’s past.
“For me, these are two very contrasting pieces that represent two important eras in the history of the clarinet,” Diez said. “Debussy’s Premiere Rhapsody could be considered the most significant clarinet work of the Impressionist period. It’s full of color contrasts and technical challenges, where the clarinet constantly interacts and blends with the orchestra’s sound.
“Weber’s Concertino, on the other hand, is written as a theme and variations. Known for his operas, Weber showcases both the lyrical qualities and the technical brilliance of the clarinet, highlighting its expressive and virtuosic character.”
Diez brings a bit of his own history to the task, too. “The Concertino is one of the most famous pieces in the clarinet repertoire – I’d even say it’s part of our DNA,” he said with a fond laugh.
“I’ve always had a fascination with French music, so Debussy’s Rhapsody holds a special place for me,” Diez said. “This piece was originally written for clarinet and piano. After its great reception, Debussy himself decided to orchestrate it. I’ve had the chance to perform the piano version a couple of times but playing the orchestral version now with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra is truly indescribable.”
Hector Berlioz’s passionate and dramatic Symphonie Fantastique commands the evening’s second half.
For Diez, the symphony spotlight and audience embrace cast a warm glow. “A big part of what we do as performers is sharing our own perspective and emotions through music, so feeling that the audience connects with that is deeply fulfilling,” he said. “I’m very happy to be part of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, surrounded by wonderful colleagues and such a supportive community. Even though I’m originally from another country, Mississippi has truly made me and my family feel at home.”
Diez, a native of Colombia, loves the versatility he finds with MSO, and the opportunities it offers in programs ranging from the great orchestral masterpieces to chamber music and new works. “I’ve also really enjoyed performing with my woodwind quintet in our educational concerts, where we visit schools and share music with students,” he said.
“Those experiences are especially meaningful because they let us connect directly with the community and inspire young people through music.”