A Concert by SANDRO RUSSO, solo piano
Sunday, November 19, 2017, 3:00 PM
St. John United Methodist Church
Presented in Loving Memory of
Lillian Cox Braswell
Lillian Cox Braswell
October 31, 1915 - December 1, 2016
The Pro-Mozart Society of Atlanta wishes to dedicate this special concert to the memory of Lillian Cox Braswell, one of our most influential and beloved members. Lillian loved the Pro-Mozart Society of Atlanta, and was an active member and generous supporter for nearly half a century, first becoming a member in 1967. She devoted her time and influence as president of the Society for four seasons (1974 – 1978), in addition to serving in numerous other capacities devoted to broadening the reach of the music she loved in our city. She was known for offering her time and resources to host many memorable functions, even hosting special events at her home. It is the sincere hope of the Society that this concert expresses our heartfelt appreciation for her life of giving, and for her patronage of music that will resonate with us all forever.
Program
Images (Book II) Claude Debussy - Cloches à travers les feuilles - Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut - Poissons d’or Barcarolle in F-sharp major, Op. 60 Frédéric Chopin Polonaise-fantaisie in A-flat major, Op. 61 Frédéric Chopin ~ Intermission ~ Fantasia in D minor, K. 397 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Three Transcendental Etudes Franz Liszt - no. 8, Wilde Jagd - no. 5, Feux follets - no. 10, Appassionata Die Zelle in Nonnenwerth (Elegie, 4th version) Franz Liszt Reminiscences de Norma Vincenzo Bellini
The Society wishes to thank the clergy, staff, and congregation of St. John United Methodist Church for hosting our concert today. We extend special thanks to George Butler, Minister
of Music. The Society gratefully acknowledges the following businesses for their generous financial
support: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
HABERSHAM FUNDING, LLC
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
THE PARSONSON FOUNDATION
THE PRIVATE BANK OF BUCKHEAD
About Mr. Russo Acclaimed for his profound
sense of poetry and
distinctive style, Sandro
Russo has been in demand
as a soloist in many venues
around the world. He
unanimously receives
accolades for his sparkling
virtuosity and his playing
has often been referred to as
a throwback to the grand
tradition of elegant pianism and beautiful sound. Abbey Simon has
praised him as “an artist to his finger tips…musical, intuitive, and a
master of the instrument.” Lowell Liebermann has called him “a
musician’s musician, and a pianist’s pianist. There is no technical
challenge too great for him, but it is his musicianship that ultimately
makes the greatest impression. His interpretations reveal a unique and
profound artist at work.”
Born in San Giovanni Gemini, Italy, Mr. Russo displayed exceptional
musical talent from an early age. In 1995, he graduated summa cum
laude from the V. Bellini Conservatory and earned the Piano
Performing Diploma from the Royal College of Music in London with
honors. While still a student, he won top prize awards in numerous
national and international competitions, including Senigallia and the
Ibla Grand Prize. During that time, he performed in some of the
country’s most reputable concert halls.
Soon after Mr. Russo moved to the United States in 2000, he won the
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition, which led to a
performance of the Liszt A-Major Concerto at the Bergen Performing
Arts Center in Englewood, NJ. Shortly thereafter, he gave an
acclaimed Chopin recital at the prestigious Politeama Theatre in
Palermo, Italy, and later appeared at the Nuove Carriere Music Festival,
an international showcase for the world’s most promising young
musicians.
Mr. Russo also has gained attention for an extensive repertoire that is
comprised not only of well-known masterpieces from all periods but of
rarities of the piano literature, as well. Some of his virtuoso
performances of works by Cziffra, Sorabji, Marc-André Hamelin and
other composer-pianists have enthralled music lovers from around the
world. He has also premiered compositions by Lowell Liebermann, and
Paul Moravec.
He has performed in such prestigious concert halls as the
Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Konzerthaus Berlin, Weill and
Zankel halls at Carnegie Hall, Salle Cortot in Paris and Teatro
Politeama in Palermo. His recitals include performances for The
Rachmaninoff Society, the Dame Myra Hess series in Chicago,
Concerts Grand in Santa Rosa (CA), the American Liszt Society, the
Houston International Piano Festival, the Husum Festival of Piano
Rarities in Germany and the Chetham’s International Piano Festival in
Manchester (U.K.), among others. In November 2010 the Italian
Academy Foundation presented Mr. Russo in a sold-out Chopin &
Schumann anniversary concert at Carnegie Hall.
Mr. Russo has also appeared as a soloist with the Slovak Philharmonic
in Bratislava, The Jacksonville Symphony in Florida and The Brussels
Chamber Orchestra at the opening gala of The Music Festival of the
Hamptons in 2008. In July of the same year he gave three highly praised
performances of the Rachmaninoff 3rd Piano Concerto on tour with the
Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana and he was also the featured soloist with
the New York Asian Symphony for a Japan tour in 2009. His
performances have aired on major radio stations in the US and abroad.
In January 2009, Bechstein-America invited Mr. Russo to record a
DVD on the historical 1862 Bechstein piano (#576) owned by Franz
Liszt. In addition, the DVD “Sandro Russo Plays the Steinway CD-75
Horowitz Piano” represents the first recording on this legendary
instrument after Horowitz’s death. Mr. Russo’s latest recording,
Rachmaninov – Solo Piano Works, released in March 2017 on the
Steinway & Sons label, has received great critical acclaim and has been
chosen “Disc of the Month” by Italy’s The Classic Voice magazine.
Recently, Mr. Russo gave a solo recital in the newly opened Stoller
Hall in Manchester, where he also gave master classes to a group of
international students. He also performed with world-renowned South
Korean soprano, Sumi Jo, before the president of South Korea to
celebrate the forthcoming PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics.
Sandro Russo is a Steinway Artist ~ www.sandrorussopianist.com
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Sunday, December 10, 2017 2017 Christmas Party 3:00PM-5:30PM Hosted by the Hon. Consul General of Austria, Ferdinand Seefried, and Monique Seefried 3325 Woodhaven Road, NW, Atlanta
(Tickets are required for this event - Please call 404-667-4700)
Saturday, January 27, 2018 Patrons Dinner Party 6:00-9:30PM St. John United Methodist Church
550 Mount Paran Rd. NW, Atlanta (Event for Patrons and Exec Board Members)
Sunday, February 11, 2018 The Merling Trio 3:00PM St. John United Methodist Church
550 Mount Paran Rd. NW, Atlanta
Sunday, March 11, 2018 Scholarship Competition 3:00PM St. John United Methodist Church
550 Mount Paran Rd. NW, Atlanta
Sunday, April 22, 2018 Scholarship Winners Recital Concert 3:00PM St. John United Methodist Church
550 Mount Paran Rd. NW, Atlanta Sunday, May 20, 2018 Spring Fling for Members and Friends 3:00PM St. John United Methodist Church
550 Mount Paran Rd. NW, Atlanta
Sunday, May 27, 2018 Annual Meeting and Picnic 3:00PM-5:30PM Hosted by Sally Horntvedt
320 Robin Hood Road NE, Atlanta
Patrons and Sponsors 2017-2018
Gold Patrons Mr. Herbert Buffington
Mr. Bryan Freeman Mr. and Mrs. Pete Parsonson (Sally)
Silver Patrons Mr. and Mrs. John Milberger (Ellen)
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Pritchett (Sherry)
Patrons Mrs. Betty Arden
Ms. Jo Ann Bowdoin-Aynsley Mr. and Mrs. Clement Chandler (Judy)
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Dietrichs (Marilyn) Mr. William R. and Rev. Jennifer B. Ham
Ms. Harriet Hart Mrs. Mary Ann Hill-Meehan and Dwayne Priest
Dr. Jo Marie Lyons Mr. John McIntosh and Ms. Maxine Newsome
Ms. Carolyn Rich Ms. Jean Roberson
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rodriguez (Suzanne) Mr. and Mrs. John Selvage (Fay)
Ms. Beth Stedman Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sullivan (Anne)
Mr. Frank A. Tichenor Ms. Linda DeFoor Wickham
Sponsors Ms. Betty Ann Bell
Mr. and Mrs. Madonna Brownlee Dr. Nancy Elton
Ms. Barbara Peeler
Executive Committee
Trevin Dye President
Herbert Buffington* Executive Vice President
Kevin Pritchett* Vice President, Programs
Judy Chandler Vice President, Membership
Fred Rodriguez & Kevin Pritchett* Vice Presidents, Scholarship
Linwood Keith Vice President, Finance
Jo Ann Bowdoin-Aynsley Vice President, Publicity and Promotions
Roger Marmol Recording Secretary
Rev. Jenny Ham Corresponding Secretary
Grace Sanders Historian
Brittany Marmol Parliamentarian * past-presidents serving as officers
Past Presidents (at-large members)
Kay Alvelda, Herbert Buffington, Marilyn Dietrichs, Mary Ann Hill-Meehan, Alice Oglesby, Kevin Pritchett, Fay Selvage
Committee Chairs
Betty Arden Telephone
Fred Rodriguez Concert Programs and Newsletter
Mary Ann Hill-Meehan Patrons’ Circle Party
John and Ellen Milberger Hospitality
Eugene Sanders Website
Jonathan E. Jarrell Legal Counsel
The Pro-Mozart Society of Atlanta Enriching Atlanta’s Cultural Heritage for 53 Years
MRS. NELLIE BUNZL CALLED TOGETHER a group of close friends in 1964 and formed The Pro-Mozart Society of Atlanta, Georgia. This group wanted to bring great music to Atlanta at a time when it did not exist here in the profusion that it does today. Together, they developed a mission statement that is as fresh and timely today as it was over five decades ago. The Mission of The Pro-Mozart Society of Atlanta is to provide an outstanding program of classical music performances and events that promote interest in the works of Mozart and other classical composers, as well as to provide an environment in which all members are valued and friendships are enhanced. Acclaimed musicians perform a variety of musical offerings at our concerts. Compositions of many composers are chosen; however, the works of Mozart are emphasized. Scholarship competitions are held annually for musicians, who are either residents of Georgia, or students attending a Georgia school. Each year, the winner receives a scholarship to the International Summer Institute of the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria. This program has helped numerous musicians further their education and their careers. The Society takes great pride in this contribution. We offer many opportunities for social gatherings almost always including music. Receptions are held after each concert to meet the artists. In addition, parties, dinners and picnics occur during the year. The well-known holiday season fund-raising Gala Noël has been one of Atlanta’s social highlights. A variety of membership options are available; all are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. We want to welcome you as a new Member. Join us for a wonderful musical adventure. Make new friends, enjoy superb music, and participate in one of Atlanta’s oldest and most distinguished musical societies.
The Pro-Mozart Society is a 501(c)(3) organization and dues are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
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Name: ______________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________
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SEASON MEMBERSHIP (membership year is Sept 1 – Aug 31)
For and individual: For a couple:
Basic: $75 Basic: $125
Sponsor: $125 Sponsor: $175
Patron: $200 Patron: $250
Silver Patron: $325 Silver Patron: $375
Gold Patron: $575 Gold Patron: $625
For a Student:
Basic: $35 Amount Enclosed:
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We would welcome you to become a member today. For your convenience we accept AMEX, VISA, MasterCard and Discover.
Or you may mail this membership form along with your check to:
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www.MozartAtlanta,com
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