I am new to symphonies, but enjoy them. What would be a good event to attend this year in Atlanta 4 a newbie?

Question

Please see their calendar of events located at http://www.atlantasymphony.org/calendarandtickets/default.aspx to suggest a good night for me. I don't know any of these so I am having a hard time choosing 1 for this season. It doesn't need to be this month - it can be anything they have scheduled this year - from Feb. - forward.

I realize that it is really "to each his own" when it comes to music and art.... however, their are some musicians and styles that are universal - I am looking for something like that to go listen to.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Best Wishes, Genie

Answer 1

Let's see it all depends on what you like:

More atmospheric music Ravel, Sheherezade concert on 1/18,1/20, 1/21. "Le Tombeau" is very pretty, Ravel piano concerto is a showy piece with lots of fireworks, Shaherezade is all around as beautiful as it is exciting.

Lighthearted Romantic music: Mendelsohn is a must see on 2/1, 2/2, 2/3. He is not as heavy as Brahms and has very nice melodic content.

If you just want to be entertained I suggest James Galway (English flutist) on 2/10, 2/11 .Pops concerts are always fun and very accessible and involving

If you want to be dazzled and are more into serious music then Stravinsky/Mozart is for you on 4/12, 4/13, 4/14 Rite of Spring is my personal favorite and Dumbarton oaks is a fanatastic piece that is fun to listen to and Mozart's 17th piano concerto is light and entertaining. This concert in my opinion has the best programing.

Answer 2

Who or wherever you are, Peter Serkin is NOT to be missed. He is one of the greatest pianist alive today, up there with Perahia and Garrick Ohlsson. We saw him perform with the Utah Symphony and, even though he spat on us when he was really into the music (we were in the front row), it was amazing. Beethoven, much like Shakespeare, 'was not for an age, but for all time.'
James Galaway is indeed probably the most important FLAUTIST (not 'flutist') today, but it probably wouldn't appeal to an audience much wider than symphony frequenters and aspiring flautists.
Dvorak's New World Symphony is one of the Greatest ever written, but it is VERY easy to ruin. Paval Kogan really botched the last movement by playing it about seven times to fast. None the less, it's always worth seeing live.
And, lo! Garrick Ohlsson himself. He recently played the Rach third with the Utah Symphony; it was a concert to end all. He got eight ovations and did two encores. Admittedly, Mozart is not quite as exhillerating as Rachmaninoff, but Stravinsky should balance that out nicely.
Stravinsky also would go well with the Sorcer's Apprentice; the well-known Dukas piece that Mickey Mouse does magic to. Despite it being one of the most overplayed pieces in the repertoire, it's still very rich and darkly invigorating.
Another piece popularized by Disney is the ultimate caricature of American music, Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. I just finished playing the Gershwin Concerto, so believe me when I say, Gershwin is some of the Best I've ever seen. Jazzy and Modern, yes, but losing none of the depth or feeling of a classical or romantic piece. I'd go for Gershwin, Ohlsson or Serkin. Have fun!

Answer 3

what a great line up! First of all, on 2-17 you have sir james galway guest performing with the flute- he is the most important living flute player today- that would be nice to see. The Dvorak on 3-15 of course will be the most delightful and traditional- you wouldn't want to miss that. and if you like things on the beautiful bizarre- but not very bizarre, they're performing the John Adams piece for orchestra and chorus on the 3-22- this was the piece written for 9-11, and John Adams is probably America's most important living composer- it's very deep, but very attractive music. Good luck deciding.

Answer 4

You are right, Genie, it IS a question of taste. If you are looking for something really "classical"- go for the "Scheherazade". That is 45 minutes of huge orchestra playing beautiful tunes, from the start to the end. Absolutely marvelous.
If you like the sound of the large orchestra, but want something with even more power, listen to the "Rite of Spring". Very powerful indeed, but not the same melodic stuff.
If you are interested in flute music go to Galway, virtuoso player, could be fun but not always so.
Personally I would like to go to John Adams. His music is really fun to hear, incredibly well written. And you have the possibility to see him LIVE! One of the great composers of our time!
But why take a chance on only one of these suggestions? Go to all of the concerts!! Then you have a chance to find out what YOU really like.

Good luck!

Answer 5

You're in luck! There's a great beginner's concert this weekend with an excellent and accessible Ravel piano concerto followed by the always popular "Scheherazade." Dvorak's "New World Symphony" in March is also good for newbies, as is Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring." Enjoy!

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Gosh, I looked at just the stuff for January, and it all looked great. Ravel and Rimsky-Korsikoff, or Hayden and Der Rosenkavalier. Can't go wrong with either.