Classical Concerts, March 24-31, 2009

An embarrassment of riches. This week you can enjoy live classical music in Newnan, Macon, Athens, Augusta, Calhoun, Atlanta, Columbus, Rome, Kennesaw, Morrow, Roswell, Opelika, Auburn, LaGrange and Savannah. Arts organizations are especially eager to fill seats right now. Consider occupying one!


Tuesday, March 24
  • The Parker String Quartet performs at 8th and Rail Dessert Cafe and Tavern in Opelika, Ala., presented by the Auburn Chamber Music Society.
Wednesday, March 25
  • The Auburn Chamber Music Society presents the Parker String Quartet with pianist Soyeon Lee in Goodwin Recital Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, playing Brahms' Piano Quintet, Dvorak's "American" Quartet and Terry Riley's Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collectors.
  • The Savannah Music Festival's chamber music series, "Sensations," continues with two gems: Brahms' Piano Quintet and Tchaikovsky's sextet Souvenir de Florence. Savannah.
  • Cellist Andres Diaz (with pianist Elizabeth Pridgen) performs a free recital of Rachmaninoff, Piazzolla and Tavener, Kopleff Recital Hall, Georgia State, Atlanta.
Thursday, March 26
  • The Robert McDuffie Center for Strings presents cellist Andres Diaz in recital, Fickling Hall, Mercer University, Macon. Free admission.
  • Pianist Sebastian Knauer is in recital in Savannah, celebrating Mendelssohn's 200th birthday. Savannah Music Festival.
  • Guitarist Manuel Barrueco goes at it in Savannah as well. Savannah Music Festival.
Through the Weekend
  • The Atlanta Ballet presents Stravinsky's Firebird, as well as works by Hampson and Moultrie. March 26-29 in Atlanta.
  • The Atlanta Symphony, conductor Gilbert Varga and violinist Leonidas Kavakos perform in Atlanta's Symphony Hall. Kodaly's Galanta Dances, the Sibelius Violin Concerto and Brahms' Second Symphony.
  • Georgia State University's Opera Production stages Francis Poulenc's masterpiece, Dialogues of the Carmelites, a story of nuns amidst the French Revolution. Rialto Center, Atlanta. March 27 & 29.
  • The Cobb Symphony and the Georgia Ballet team up in A Young Dancer's Guide to the Orchestra and works by Minkus, Auber and Bach. Murray Arts Center, Kennesaw. March 28, 2 & 7 p.m.; March 29, 2:00 p.m.
Friday, March 27
  • The Academy of Ancient Music plays all six of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos in Savannah.
  • Pianist and longtime Piccolo Spoleto chamber music director Charles Wadsworth and friends perform chamber music in honor of Wadsworth's 80th birthday, Wadsworth Auditorium, Newnan.
  • Louise Barfield plays a recital of Romantic piano music at Little Carnegie of the South, to benefit Little Carnegie of the South, Macon. In conjunction with art show by Wesleyan College's Libby Bailey. Tickets include catered reception. Reservations: (678) 256-3388.
Saturday, March 28
  • The Academy of Ancient Music's tour continues in Athens, with a performance of the complete Brandenburg Concertos of Bach.
  • Soprano Cynthia Watters - Carrollton native, Shorter College grad, longtime New Yorker, now on the music staff at Glenn Memorial Methodist in Atlanta - performs beloved songs from many genres at the Harris Arts Center in Calhoun. Info: (706) 629-2599.
  • The Augusta Choral Society presents Mozart's Requiem, with chorus, soloists and orchestra, at St. Paul's Church, Augusta.
  • The Columbus Symphony, led by George del Gobbo, celebrate two great composer's milestone birthdays with Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony and Violin Concerto - with Sergiu Schwartz as soloist - and Haydn's Symphony No. 22, "The Philosopher." RiverCenter, Columbus.
  • Pianists Marcus Roberts and Sebastian Knauer offer Gershwin at the Savannah Music Festival. Savannah.
  • The Rome Symphony, under music director Richard Prior, perform Elgar's Enigma Variations, film music by Walton, and Haydn's Cello Concerto in C with soloist Annie Camp (principal cellist, Rome Symphony; string director, Darlington School; instructor, Berry College and Lee University). Rome City Auditorium.
Sunday, March 29
  • The final stop on the U.S. tour of the Academy of Ancient Music is Spivey Hall, Clayton State, Morrow. Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, all six of them.
  • UGA alum and distinguished musician and administrator Charles Wadsworth turns 80 this year. Before he eases up on the touring and performing, Charles Wadsworth and friends offer music by Bach, Saint-Saens, Brahms, Weber, Rachmaninoff and Wadsworth (!) at UGA's Performing Arts Center, Athens.
  • More great chamber music from the Sensations series at the Savannah Music Festival: Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" Quartet and Elgar's Piano Quintet. Savannah.
  • "Brilliant young organist" (and Juilliard organ department chair) Paul Jacobs performs on the organ at Roswell United Methodist Church, Roswell. 4 p.m., free admission.
Monday, March 30
  • Schubert lieder (art songs) with renowned tenor Ian Bostridge and longtime musical partner Julius Drake bring their artistry to Savannah. Savannah Music Festival.
Tuesday, March 31
  • The Callaway Concert Series presents the Shanghai Quartet in Callaway Auditorium, LaGrange College, LaGrange.

Posted by Sarah Zaslaw at 10:30 PM