Music Man - a.k.a. "Flower Child"

For the past ten days the Flower Child has been enjoying the Music Events in Middle Georgia. The first event was held on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at the Vineville United Methodist Church. It was a Concert featuring "The Manhattan Piano Trio." The Trio consisted of:

Milana Strezeva-Bahl, Piano

Dmitry Lukin Violin

Dmitry Kouzov, Cello

This talented group came from the Juilliard School of Music, New York City. The concert featured works by Haydn, Schumann, Bartok, Joun, Liszt and Ravel. A delightful Sunday afternoon, indeed.

Then on Friday Evening, February 15, 2008 there was a gala performance by the Diaz Trio. This spirited group performed at the Neva Langley Fickling Hall in the McCorkle Music Building on the Campus of Mercer University. This spirited group performed as a Trio for the first segments of the Concert. The Trio was:

Andres Cardenes, Violin

Roberto Diaz, Viola

Andres Diaz, Cello

After a brief intermission these performers were joined by:

Amy Schwartz Moretti, Violin

Reid Harris, Viola

Christopeher Rex, Cello

The music was composed by Dohnanyi, Francaix and Brahms. The vigor displayed by the performers and also the smooth melodic performances was exceptional. The Neva Langley Fickling Hall is a stellar venue for this type of Concert, which is as it should be. The Mercer University Music Department is also the Home of the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings. For those who read this Blog who are not familiar with Macon and Mercer, let it be known that Robert McDuffie is a product of Macon, Georgia who has received international acclaim as a Solo Performer on the Violin.

All of this background stated to also let it be known that the six performers who concluded the Concert on February 15, 2008 each have impressive credentials. The Biographies of the Six Artist consisted of three pages.

Then on Saturday, February 16th, 2008 I attended the Macon Symphony Orchestra Masterworks Concert #4 at Macon, Georgia's Historic Opera House. The performance was billed as "An Evening of Opera Choruses" and it most certainly was the high point of the Musical Performances available in Middle Georgia. Seventy-four young women and men from these four Colleges/Universities of Middle Georgia comprised the Chorus.

Mercer University Singers

Georgia College and State University Chorus

Macon State College Chorus

Wesleyan College Woman's Chorus

The Symphony and Combined Choruses performed with exceptional brilliance and vigor. A true joy to behold. One more delightful evening of music. Selections for the evening were:

Overture to "Rienzi" by Wagner

Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from "Nabucco" by Verdi

Pilgrims' Chorus from "Tannhauser" by Wagner

Humming Chorus from "Madam Butterfly" by Puccini

Polovtsian Dances from "Prince Igor" by Borodin

Voyagers' Corus from Idomeneo" byMozart

Soldiers' Chorus from "Faust" by Gounod

Bridal Chorus from "Lohengrin" by Wagner

Anvil Chorus from "Il Trovatore" by Verdi

Carmen: Suite No 2 by Bizet

Each of the above selections were special in as they were "First Macon Performance" by our own Macon Symphony Orchestra. Each of the selections performed during this Evening of Opera Choruses was well done and received thunderous applause. For the Flower Child, the Verdi piece from the Opera "Il Trovatore," known as the Anvil Chorus was the high light of the entire concert. The "Anvil" performer was right on time and target with a striking performance that captivated the entire House.

I might also state here that while each of the four Vocal Groups practiced at their respective schools, they only had two sessions as the Combined Choruses for a total practice time of about three hours. I asked one of the performers and this is what I was told. They certainly performed well and each group represented their respective schools in the best tradition of their school.

Well Done!!!!! to the Macon Symphony Orchestra and the Vocalist. It was an outstanding evening of Musical Entertainment and it was Opera!!!

To conclude this Review of Music in February in Middle Georgia I must state that today, Feburary 19, 2008 I attended the "Third Tuesday Organ Interludes" sponsored by the In-Town Church Congregations of Macon. The Interlude today was held at First Presbyterian Church on Mulberry Street. This series is held at Noon and today's Organist was Dr. Robert Parris, of Mercer University. This 30 minute Concert consisted of the following:

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.... J.N. Hanff

Lamb of God, Most Holy.....J.S. Bach

Stations of the Cross.....Marcel Dupre

The Music Selections were very appropriate for the Lenten Season.

The Flower Child has had a very enjoyable and varied exposure to great Music this February of 2008. Thank You to all the fine performers and the respective organizations who sponsor such fine culture to us Citizens of Middle Georgia. In my humble opinion, "World Class" Culture. Because my Navy Career involved World Wide Travel I can truthfully say that what we have in Macon, Georgia equals the Opera Performance I attended at the San Carlo in Naples or the production of "Golden Boy" by Sammy Davis Jr in London in 1968. We certainly have much to be grateful for, here in Middle Georgia.