Select Classical Concerts, January 31-February 5
The next few days bring events of interest in Tifton, Augusta and LaGrange, in addition to plenty of activity in the Atlanta area.
- Thursday through Saturday, the Atlanta Symphony and Robert Spano conducts an all-Russian program with pianist Yefim Bronfman as soloist.
- February 2, 5, 8 and 10, Atlanta Opera presents the company premiere of Carlisle Floyd's Cold Sassy Tree - set in small-town Georgia and based on the real town of Harmony Grove, now Commerce, Georgia. Arthur Fagen conducts and John de Lancie directs.
- A couple of African connections: Ladysmith Black Mambazo makes their Spivey Hall debut in Morrow on Friday, and the African Children's Choir comes to Atlanta's Ferst Center on Saturday.
- Friday: In Atlanta, Peter Schickele and P.D.Q. Bach share a body and a stage at the Ferst Center for the Arts. And in Augusta, France Comes to Asti in a gourmet evening of Italian food and musical entertainment at Sacred Heart Cultural Center.
- Saturday: The Augusta Symphony and Augusta Choral Society perform Beethoven's Ninth. Donald Portnoy conducts at First Baptist of Augusta. And the Jose White String Quartet makes its Spivey Hall debut, teaming up with pianist Michiko Otaki.
- Sunday: In Atlanta, Robert Spano in his guise as pianist joins the Georgian Chamber Players in concert at the Galloway School at Chastain Park. In Morrow, soprano Christine Schäfer makes her Spivey Hall debut.
- Monday: Georgia State University faculty member Robert Ambrose conducts two pieces by Arnold Schoenberg at Atlanta's Rialto Center.
- Tuesday: On the LaGrange College campus, the LaGrange Symphony gives the second performance ever of the Sinai Symphony by Georgia composer Douglas Hooker. This "American Celebration" concert also presents music of Bernstein and Gould, plus LaGrange-raised mezzo-soprano Emily Landa. Meanwhile in Tifton, the Cypress Trio performs in the ABAC Chapel.
