Upcoming Concerts
Sunday, 3/1 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Steinway Piano Galleries
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Beethoven, Chopin & Friends
5950 North Point Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30022
Sunday, 3/22 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Baptist Church Dahlonega
Light Festive Music
234 Hawkins St, Dahlonega, GA 30533
Saturday, 3/28 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
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Pianoworks
Baroque Period & Chamber Music
2805 Buford Hwy, Duluth, GA 30096
Upcoming Musicales
Study Group Meeting
Thursday 1/9, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
PianoWorks
PianoWorks Musicale
Tuesday, 1/21 10:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
PianoWorks, Duluth
Home Musicale
2/6, Thursday, 10 a.m.
Home Musicale
PianoWorks Musicale
Tuesday, 2/18 10:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
PianoWorks, Duluth
Study Group Meeting
Sunday 2/23, 3 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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GMG Matinee of Classical Music on 11/23
Mr. George Mann made our day!
On Saturday, November 23rd it might have been rainy and gloomy outside, but inside the recital hall at PianoWorks in Duluth the atmosphere was warm and inviting as we came together to share an afternoon of music. The concert began with Kien Luong, a student of Kimber Kwiatkowski, performing a piece called “Beethoven Virus,” which was a remix of the “Pathetique” (Op. 13) Sonata’s final rondo movement. The transcription was done by Bayna and proved to be a rather interesting twist on the melodies and rhythms of the original. Following the “Virus” Kimber very capably played for us the movement the way Beethoven composed it. One wonders if the new version might have amused Beethoven and given him a smile.
Next on the program was Utako Tanigawa performing another Beethoven favorite, the “Waldstein” (Op. 53) Sonata’s opening movement (Allegro con brio), which she played skillfully and with a lot of emotional depth. Ed Ewing then performed the Prelude from Bach’s English Suite No. 2. Hats off to Ed on getting through this very complex and intricate piece by memory. Following Ed, Pam Martin and Kristi Helfen played “Lebensturme” (Storms of Life), Op. 144, by Schubert. This duet piece was written near the end of his life and encompasses a variety of characters (tumultuous, celestial, whimsical) of which Pam and Kristi enjoyed conveying during their performance.
Following intermission Kien returned with another solo, Stormy Seas, by Cornelius Gurlitt. To close this section of the concert, we were delighted to hear Leanne Manning (clarinet), Geoffrey Barnes (bassoon) and Monique Arar (piano) perform the first movement of the Trio, Op. 11 by Beethoven. What a treat to hear this seldom-performed chamber piece and what a lovely combination of instruments!
Our featured guest artist, George Mann, then performed three solo piano pieces from the early keyboard repertoire. He opened with Buxtehude’s “Now We Pray to the Holy Ghost” and played with such beauty and expression that it brought tears to some of our eyes. His second piece was Sonata in G minor by Arne, and he closed with the Siloti transcription of Bach’s Chaconne in D minor, which he masterfully performed. At the end George received a well-deserved standing ovation, and the audience came away deeply enriched. How grateful we are to hear such fine playing from our guest artists!
Respectfully submitted by: Kristi Helfen
Second Annual Spivey Hall Concert
on September 15, 2019
On this Sunday afternoon, the Georgia Musicale Group, gave a splendid recital at Spivey Hall, Clayton State University. Asa Williams opened the program with a powerful performance of Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude, Op, 3, No.4”. The beautiful Brahms “Rhapsody Op. 79, No.2” followed and was skillfully played by Kimber Kwiatkowski. Abbie Hattauer Dreamed a Dream for us with her lovely vocal solo. A “Rhapsody” by Mary Leaf was played gracefully with such convincing expression by Judy Manganiello. Another vocal solo by Robin Engleman, “Elegy”, clearly conveyed the sadness of the one whose love is lost. Utako Tanigawa’s stunning performance concluded the first half of the program with Chopin’s “Nocturne Op. 27, No.2” and Beethoven’s “Sonata Op. 53” “Waldstein”.
The second half of the program began with Debussy’s “Jardins sous la pluie, Estampes”. Shoko Tanaka elegantly played this lovely composition. The “Premier Rhapsody” for Clarinet and piano by Debussy followed. Leanne Manning, accompanied by Shoko Tanaka gave a superb performance. Nico Brett played an outstanding “La campanella” from Grandes Etudes de Paganini, S141. Dawn Delangin Hawk performed with such poise and grace as she played Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude in D major, Op. 23 No.4”. Pam Martin and Kristi Helfen are a dynamic duo on the piano. With 4 hands they skillfully played Dvorak’s “Silent Woods and Troubled Times” from the Bohemian Forest. Our vocalists performed in costume this time. Robin Engleman gave a wonderful performance of “Non so piu cosa son”. A charming, “Chacun a Son Gout” was the grand finale for our concert, sung by Abbie Hattauer.
Bravo performers, you were all outstanding. Our lovely audience thoroughly enjoyed the program. Thank you to all at Spivey Hall and Clayton State University who assisted us in making this concert a success. We also extend a thank you to the Director of Spivey Hall, Mr. Christopher Tollak and Dr. Michiko Otaki, Professor of Music, Clayton State University. We also want to thank Dr. Utako Tanigawa, Founder and President of Georgia Musicale Group for her organization and direction of this event. We also would like to express our sincere appreciation to Julie Woodall who served as MC for the concert, and other GMG members; Pam Martin, Krist Helfen, Annette Russo, Asa Williams, and others who have worked behind the scenes preparing and running this concert.
Respectfully submitted by: Annette Russo
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