Georgian Chamber Players review

A violin, viola, cello, and piano walk into a bar. The bartender looks up and says, “Sorry, we don’t serve your kind here.” The instruments, feeling dejected, ask why. The bartender responds, “Because last time, you all got too keyed up and ended up stringing us along!”

But seriously, the Georgian Chamber Players (GCP) took the small stage at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, Georgia, last evening. By their own admission from the stage, they had played the venue before, so they knew exactly what they were in for, but more on that later.

The GCP is made up of violinist David Coucheron, violist Zhenwei Shi, and pianists Julie Coucheron and Elizabeth Pridgen. They were augmented by Charae Kruger on cello. The Coucherons are ubiquitous in the Atlanta classical music scene. Pridgen is the Artistic Director of the Atlanta Chamber Players, and Krueger is well-known for leading the cello section of the Atlanta Ballet and Opera Orchestras. Talented musicians all.

For the complete review, go here:  https://www.earrelevant.net/2023/11/georgian-chamber-players-enchant-with-season-opener-at-eclectic-eddies-attic/

2024 Grammy nominations!

The 2024 Grammy nominations are out.! AMC continues its record of interviewing so many Grammy nominees and winners. Here is the list for this year: –Akiho: In That Space, At That Time: Andy Akiho, composer (Andy Akiho, Ankush Kumar Bahl & Omaha Symphony) –Scriabin: Symphony No. 2; The Poem of Ecstasy: JoAnn Falletta, conductor (Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra) –Sculptures, Andy Akiho; Andy Akiho & Sean Dixon, producers And Best Engineered album:  

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 & Schulhoff: Five Pieces, Mark Donahue, engineer; Mark Donahue, mastering engineer (Manfred Honeck & Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra) 

JoAnn Falletta

Ankush Kumar Bahl

Andy Akiho

Manfred Honeck

A Tale of Two Pianists: Simone Dinnerstein and Paul Barnes, both play Glass

“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times…” Well, not really! It was actually the best of times on Sunday in Morrow and Decatur, Georgia, where two outstanding pianists gave two great performances with one thing in common: works by one of the most influential living, contemporary composers. Clayton State University’s Spivey Hall presented another renowned artist in its piano series: Simone Dinnerstein, who is a highly respected pianist known for her unique interpretations of the classical piano repertoire. She is said to convey a deep sense of emotion in her performances, but put in another way, she is said to use her expressiveness to make up for less-than-perfect execution. Ms. Dinnerstein addressed the audience prior to her performance. She explained that the pieces she was about to perform are structured as rondeaus, where there is a central “A” theme that returns after exploring contrasting “B” and “C” sections. She explained that humans seem to take comfort in repetition in life. She also said the various pieces would be played attaca, without break. She also offered that the pieces by Couperin would be played at the beginning of the program, as opposed to being separated as in the program booklet. For the complete review, go here: https://www.earrelevant.net/2023/11/a-tale-of-two-pianists-simone-dinnerstein-and-paul-barnes/ 

 Also a special shout out to Constantine Kokenes and Grigoris Karakostas, who, along with Mr. Barnes, were chanters during the North Decatur Presbyterian Church program.

Sublime: Pianist Paul Barnes to be in Atlanta on November 5

Illumination

Piano works based on

Byzantine and Jewish Chant

 

Paul Barnes

pianist and chanter

 with Constantine Kokenes and Grigoris Karakostas, chanters

 

Esther Kim, violin

Andre Barnes, violin

Dajon Carter, viola

Alyssa McBride, cello

 

NDCP Community Choir

Conducted by Huu Mai

 

November 5^th, 7:30pm

North Decatur Presbyterian Church

Potirion Sotiriu                                                         Byzantine chant arranged by Nancy Takis

Simeron Kremate                                        Byzantine chant arranged by Fr. Seraphim Dedes

 

 

Enite ton Kyrion                                                                               arranged by Kevin Lawrence

NDPC Choir

 

 

 

Illuminations on Byzantine Chant (2021)                                                              Victoria Bond

            Potirion Sotiriu (1999)                                                                                                                                  

            Simeron Kremate (2019)                                                                                                    

            Enite ton Kyrion (2021)

 

 

Apolytikion of the Nativity

Megalynarion of the Nativity

 

Kontakion of the Nativity                                                               arranged by Kevin Lawrence

NDPC Choir

                   

                             

Variations on the Incarnation (2023) (Atlanta premiere)                                    J.A.C. Redford

    Intermission

Apolytikion of the Annunciation

Kontakion of the Annunciation

Communion Hymn of the Annunciation                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                

Piano Quintet “Annunciation” (2018) (Atlanta premiere)                                       Philip Glass

            Part One                                                                                                                 

            Part Two  

 

This program was made possible by the generous support of

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral

For more information, go here:  https://ndpc.org/events/ndpc-concert-series-paul-barnes-in-concert/

A Conversation with Composer/Musician Gene Pritsker

Review: Atlanta Baroque Orchestra

Review: Moser and Hamelin