Classical Music Concert Series. Messiah Lutheran Church of Madison, Alabama. Founded in 2013
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Friday, October 2, 2015
Organ Takes Center Stage at Messiah Lutheran
Plan to attend this Sunday's organ recital with Tom Alderman.
Organ Takes Center Stage at Messiah Lutheran
Earlier today, WLRH Host Ginny Kennedy sat down with Lois Graff, Director of Music Ministries and Messiah Lutheran Church and Bob Gustafson, to discuss this Sunday's concert that will feature Messiah's pipe organ. The concert is being sponsored by Miller Pipe Organ Services, Inc. of Buford, Georgia.
Click on the link below to hear the interview. Enjoy!
Organ Takes Center Stage at Messiah Lutheran
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Alderman Rehearses at Messiah - Concert This Sunday
Yesterday organist Tom Alderman rehearsed for several hours on Messiah's pipe organ in preparation for Sunday's 6 PM organ concert. Alderman's recital will be the first concert of the 2015-2016 Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series and the first to feature Messiah's recently installed pipe organ as a solo instrument.
Sunday's concert will feature a variety of beautiful music well suited to both Messiah's organ and the splendid acoustics of the sanctuary which was expanded in 2012.
The organ was custom built on site by George Miller and Miller Pipe Organ Services, Inc. last summer and dedicated on Reformation Sunday, October 26th, 2014. Mr. Miller is sponsoring this concert, arranging Mr. Alderman's trek across and over the Georgia-Alabama line this Sunday after his morning worship services conclude at Roswell United Methodist Church where he is organist.
All are welcome to attend Sunday's concert. While our concerts remain free of charge, the series does take at the door and has donor recognition program. Advertisements are also available in future programs.
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Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Tom Alderman, October 4 Organ Recital
Tom Alderman, organist at Roswell United Methodist Church, Roswell Georgia will be presenting an organ recital as part of the 2015-2016 "Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series." The concert will take place on Sunday, October 4th at 6 PM at Messiah Lutheran Church, 7740 Hwy 72 West, in Madison, Alabama. The concert is free, no tickets required.
Alderman will be playing Messiah's pipe organ which was installed in the fall of 2014. The custom built, refurbished organ was designed by Miller Organ Company of Buford, GA and features over 800 pipes specifically tailored to fill Messiah's acoustically splendid sanctuary with rich textures and tonal variety
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Concert Date August 2nd, Not July 26th as reported by recent Madison Record Article
Dear Friends of Music at Messiah -
The Madison Record recently ran a printed article which listed an incorrect performance date as July 26th. While we're not certain where the error occurred, the good news is... you haven't missed the concert! They have placed the correct date on their online article, which can be read here.
Here's the article.
Hear Andrew Nalley interviewed live on Friday 7/31
Andrew Nalley will perform on August 2nd, 2015 at 4 PM at Messiah Lutheran Church. A light reception will follow the performance.
Hear Andrew Nalley interviewed live on Friday 7/31
We also have confirmed that Andrew will be interviewed on Classical Radio Station 89.3 WLRH by host Ginny Kennedy on Friday, July 31st at approximately 10 AM. Listeners online can hear the interview here
We are grateful for the publicity and outreach these two media outlets provide our Classical Concert Series.
See you on August 2nd at 4 PM.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Andrew Nalley, Baritone, Set to Perform August 2nd
Outstanding, Emerging Baritone from the University of Alabama set to present the next concert for the Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series.
Concert Information
Sunday, August 2nd, 2015 at 4:00 pm
Messiah Lutheran Church
7741 Hwy 72 West
Madison, Al 35758
Cost of the concert is free. Donations are welcome. A reception will be held after the performance.
Baritone Andrew Nalley is a senior at the University of Alabama where he is a student of Dr. Paul Houghtaling. At Alabama, Andrew has been heard in a variety of roles with the UA Opera Theatre including the title role in Don Giovanni, John Sorel in The Consul, Archibald Grosvenor in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience, and the Bailiff in the world premiere of Amir Zaheri’s The Raven’s Revenge. Also with the UA Opera Theatre, he was a finalist in the National Opera Association’s 2011 Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition in San Antonio, Texas. In 2014, he appeared as Guglielmo in Così fan tutte and Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods with Opera in the Ozarks in Arkansas.
He has been a winner and a finalist in numerous competitions including Alabama’s MTNA Young Artist Voice Competition, the Alabama Federation of Music Clubs, Birmingham Music Club Guild, Alabama Music Teachers Association, NATS, and the Montgomery Symphony’s Vann Vocal Institute Emerging Artists Competition. Additional performance credits include Dick McGann in Street Scene with the Harrower Opera Workshop and Robert Livingston in Huntsville, Alabama’s Independent Musical Theater’s production of 1776.
Andrew began his vocal studies with Martha Brouse at Belle Voce Studio in Huntsville. With Belle Voce he was seen as Count Almaviva in the Marriage of Figaro and Marius in Les Miserable. He has also studied at the Westminster Choir College’s CoOperative training program and has coached with David Cangelosi, Laurie Rogers, Alan Held, and Steven Crawford.
Concert Information
Sunday, August 2nd, 2015 at 4:00 pm
Messiah Lutheran Church
7741 Hwy 72 West
Madison, Al 35758
Cost of the concert is free. Donations are welcome. A reception will be held after the performance.
Baritone Andrew Nalley is a senior at the University of Alabama where he is a student of Dr. Paul Houghtaling. At Alabama, Andrew has been heard in a variety of roles with the UA Opera Theatre including the title role in Don Giovanni, John Sorel in The Consul, Archibald Grosvenor in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience, and the Bailiff in the world premiere of Amir Zaheri’s The Raven’s Revenge. Also with the UA Opera Theatre, he was a finalist in the National Opera Association’s 2011 Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition in San Antonio, Texas. In 2014, he appeared as Guglielmo in Così fan tutte and Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods with Opera in the Ozarks in Arkansas.
He has been a winner and a finalist in numerous competitions including Alabama’s MTNA Young Artist Voice Competition, the Alabama Federation of Music Clubs, Birmingham Music Club Guild, Alabama Music Teachers Association, NATS, and the Montgomery Symphony’s Vann Vocal Institute Emerging Artists Competition. Additional performance credits include Dick McGann in Street Scene with the Harrower Opera Workshop and Robert Livingston in Huntsville, Alabama’s Independent Musical Theater’s production of 1776.
Andrew began his vocal studies with Martha Brouse at Belle Voce Studio in Huntsville. With Belle Voce he was seen as Count Almaviva in the Marriage of Figaro and Marius in Les Miserable. He has also studied at the Westminster Choir College’s CoOperative training program and has coached with David Cangelosi, Laurie Rogers, Alan Held, and Steven Crawford.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
AGO Organ Recital at Messiah Lutheran at Noon on April 9th
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| The console of Messiah Lutheran's newly installed pipe organ (Photo / illustration by Meredith Kilby) |
Organists Susan Fletcher and Mary Williamson will be the recitalists.
Messiah's pipe organ is just into its first full year of enhancing the worship and music ministries at Messiah Lutheran Church. The church was built in 1993 and a pipe organ was installed shortly thereafter, but a 2011 sanctuary expansion necessitated the need for a larger instrument to be located. The Organ Search Committee sought an instrument that would not only support Messiah's worship services but also serve as a quality performance and recital organ for the community and the newly formed Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series. After an extensive search and intensive build process during the summer of 2014, Messiah dedicated the organ on October 26th, 2014 and held its first recital.
The organ features over 800 pipes and is located within the upper level of the east transept of the choir area. This custom built, refurbished organ was designed by Miller Pipe Organ Services with the rich textures of a solid foundation, adding tonal variety and color with reeds and mixtures. The fine workmanship of the organ builders and the acoustics of the sanctuary combine to give the pipe organ a lively presence and glorious sound.
The event is presented by local American Guild of Organists members, in coordination with Lois Graff, who is the Organist and Director of Music at Messiah Lutheran Church. Lois also serves on the board of the Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series.
The April 9th concert was originally scheduled March 5th as part of a noontime organ recital series during the Lenten season, but was cancelled due to wintry weather.
The concert is free and all are welcome to attend!
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Tonight 7 PM! The University of Alabama - Birmingham Chorus to perform at Messiah with Bob Jones HS Chorus.
| The expanded sanctuary of Messiah Lutheran Church offers exceptional accoustics for choral performances. |
The University of Alabama-Birmingham Chorus and Bob Jones High School Chorus will be in concert tonight at Messiah Lutheran Church
This is a rare opportunity to hear fine choral music performed by an accomplished college choir (of about 60 voices) in our church sanctuary.
Messiah choir director Randall Fields will be conducting his high school chorus as part of the program. The evening will include "O Magnum Mysterium" as a combined piece performed by both choruses.
Concert begins at 7:00 p.m.
Open to the public.
Donations accepted.
Messiah Lutheran Church is located at 7740 Hwy 72 West, Madison, Alabama
for directions visit www.mlutheran.org
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Countdown to First Concert of 2015. Debra Saylor - January 11th at 4 PM.
Solo Piano Concert, "Piano at Twilight" Sunday January 11th at 4 PM.
The Music at Messiah Classical Concert series extends Happy New Year blessings to all followers and friends, and look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming January 11th at 4 PM concert which features the extraordinary talent of pianist Debra Saylor.
Debra will be interviewed live on classical radio station WLRH this coming Friday, January 9th at 11:00 a.m. by regular morning host Ginny Kennedy. WLRH can be found at FM/HD 89.3 or by listening online at http://www.wlrh.org/
Saylor, a finalist in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for amateurs in 2000, took third place for her awe-inspiring performance of Debussy's Claire de Lune. Fellow Van Cliburn competitor Carl Tait described her semi-final performance in this entry from his March 2001 blog post as follows.
"The most memorable pianist of the entire competition made her first appearance at 4:15 that afternoon. Steve Cumming introduced Debra Saylor without fanfare, in much the same genially professional way he introduced all of us. We saw the long white cane first. There was a collective gasp. Debra Saylor was blind. Shea made her way to the piano bench with surprising speed and adjusted it quickly with well-practiced motions. She spread her arms widely across the keyboard several times to judge both height and proximity. My mind was awash in conflicting emotions. This was remarkable, brave, commendable - but would it be any good?
Debra began with Schubert's familiar Moment Musical in F minor. It was good. Very good. I was smiling within seconds. The performance had a cheerful Viennese lilt and real charm. Next came Debussy's Clair de lune, for which no one was prepared, or could have been prepared. Debussy's overplayed work, mutilated by several generations of piano students over the past century, glowed to new life in Debra's hands. Her tone was warm and deep, her legato singing, her phrasing impeccable, her pianissimos infinitely shaded. Anyone who claims not to have been in tears by the end is probably lying. It was one of those revelatory performances in which one feels the composer's ideas fusing with the artistry of a gifted pianist."
Titled "Piano at Twilight" attendees can expect Saylor's artistry on the piano to fill Messiah Lutheran' Church's recently expanded sancturay with piano works written by the world's finest composers. It is sure to inspire and move audiences of all ages. Oh and be warned, Debussy's Claire de Lune is on the program so you might want to grab a few tissues before you arrive!
Here's a wonderful performance by Debra from a later Van Cliburn competition. We truly are blessed to have this wonderful musician perform a concert with the Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Debra Saylor performs "Piano at Twilight" for January 11th 2015 Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series
Give the Gift of Music and mark January 11th on your 2015 Calender.
On Sunday, January 11th, Music at Messiah presents pianist Debra Saylor, an award winner at the Van Cliburn Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs. The full-length concert from will feature her winning interpretation of Debussy's "Clair de Lune" along with works by Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. The concert is open to the public and will begin at 4:00 pm at Messiah Lutheran Church
on Route 72 in Madison.
Give a gift of music for Christmas. Series sponsorships begin at the $25 dollar level and come with a single line dedication of your choosing. Donating with a dedication is a wonderful way to honor and recognize your loved ones! The Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series is a self supporting series focused on presenting quality live and free classical concert performances to our community. The date for having sponsor forms and advertising artwork in is January 4th. 2015. Forms are available at the Welcome Center desk of Messiah Lutheran Church. www.mlutheran.org
We also offer advertising rates for any area businesses starting at $25.00. Contact us today for more information, details.
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Tuesday, October 21, 2014
A "Barefoot Abbey" and the Brilliant Spanish Composer Thomas Luis de Victoria.
Music at Messiah's Classical Concert next concert will be Saturday evening, November 1st starting at 7:30 pm. It will feature Huntsville Collegium Musicum's performance of Thomas Luis de Victoria's Officium Defunctorm.
Researching Victoria's "Requiem" for relevant visuals for the poster and program artwork was an interesting journey.
The spanish composer was born in 1548, and evidence suggests he grew up a choir boy in the Cathedral in Avila. The Catholic Counter- Reformation that nearly paralled his years provide a historical backdrop for this young Catholic man with outstanding musical gifts. So promising were his talents that Philip II provided him a grant to travel to Italy in 1567.
Victoria lived in Italy for the next twenty years; he canted, attended seminary, taught at the German College and was very well respected, holding a number of succeedingly impressive posts as a chapelmaster and organist. By 1587 Victoria desired to return to Spain, and once again, Philip II responded, posting him to be the personal Chaplain of the Dowager Empress Maria.
The music itself is a funeral mass written for Empress MarÃa's death in 1603. She lived in retirement with her daughter Princess Margarita at the royal monestary The Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, literally the "Monastery of Barefoot Royals." Upon entry to the convent, these well heeled women would donate their dowry to the convent and vow to go shoeless. (Could it be expensive women's shoes have always been horribly uncomfortable?) The convent was tremendously well off and the Monastery allowed Victoria to produce gloriously rich and spiritual compositions until his death in 1611.
The Counter Reformation fueled a revived spritualism in Catholic religious arts, and this is also evidenced by Victoria's contemporary, El Greco, whose Crucificion also appears on the poster artwork. The intensity and palette of tones are emotional, and one cannot listen to Victoria's Requiem without feeling that same sense of spiritual awakening that is ever present in El Greco's work.
If you are intrigued by this, you'll really enjoy this Sacred Music program on Victoria produced recently by BBC on Victoria's music, featuring the choral group "The Sixteen." It's lengthy, but well worth an extended listening. I hope this article, as well as the video pique your curiousity and compel you to attend the November 1st presentation of Victoria's Officium Defunctorium.
The Counter Reformation fueled a revived spritualism in Catholic religious arts, and this is also evidenced by Victoria's contemporary, El Greco, whose Crucificion also appears on the poster artwork. The intensity and palette of tones are emotional, and one cannot listen to Victoria's Requiem without feeling that same sense of spiritual awakening that is ever present in El Greco's work.
If you are intrigued by this, you'll really enjoy this Sacred Music program on Victoria produced recently by BBC on Victoria's music, featuring the choral group "The Sixteen." It's lengthy, but well worth an extended listening. I hope this article, as well as the video pique your curiousity and compel you to attend the November 1st presentation of Victoria's Officium Defunctorium.
- Meredith Kilby, for the Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series
Friday, September 26, 2014
Huntsville Collegium Musicum to Perform Saturday November 1st, 7:30 pm
Preparations underway for our next Music at Messiah concert.
Please mark you calendars for Saturday evening, November 1st, 2014 at 7:30 PM
We are pleased to announce Huntsville Collegium Musicum will be performing Thomas Luis de Victoria's 1605 Officium Defunctorium commonly known as his "Requiem Mass."
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Saturday, September 20, 2014
Solar Winds "A European Tour" Concert Tomorrow at 4 PM
Solar Winds: Woodwind Quintet Concert this Sunday
Final preparations have been made for the first concert of the second season of Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series.
Sunday's concert features 'Solar Winds', a woodwind quintet comprised of five musicians from the US Army Materiel Command Band at Redstone Arsenal.
The quintet rehearsed Friday afternoon at Messiah Lutheran Church the pieces they will be presenting Sunday, September 21st. They familiarized themselves with the stage and the captivating acoustics of the sanctuary when filled with rich, beautiful sound. Here's a sneak peek, an excerpt from the Rondo of Beethoven's Op 71.
The Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series is delighted to feature this talented ensemble. Oboeist Staff Seargeant Katherine Beyer leads the 'Solar Winds' quintet, and remarked that playing the Concert Series is a terrific opportunity for them to rehearse and perform classical music that's a bit outside of the typical military band repertoire.
SSG Beyer has only recently moved to the Huntsville area and gave high praise for the Madison/Huntsville area having an abundant offerings to enjoy great music.
We sincerely hope that you take this Sunday's opportunity to enjoy great music performed beautifully in a space so suited for small chamber ensembles such as 'Solar Winds'
We sincerely hope that you take this Sunday's opportunity to enjoy great music performed beautifully in a space so suited for small chamber ensembles such as 'Solar Winds'
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Solar Winds:Woodwind Quintet to perform September 21
The Solar Winds Woodwind Quintet will be performing on Sunday, September 21st at Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison, AL. The free concert starts at 4 pm.
The Woodwind Quintet is comprised of five members of the U.S. Army Materiel Command Band at Redstone Arsenal. Namely, Oboe: SFC Megan Newman, Flute: SPC Robert Lambert, Clarinet: SPC Eric Flores-Ortiz, Horn: SPC Stephan Fahrlander, Bassoon: SSG Kathryn Beyer.
The full length concert is titled, "A European Tour," and will include works by Beethoven, Ibert, Stamitz, and others. An intermission and reception following the concert is planned.
Monday, April 21, 2014
April 27th Concert Preview - The Distinctive Music of Astor Piazzolla
Astor Piazzolla (1921 – 1992) was a twentieth century
composer who combined the elements of traditional tango, jazz and classical
music to create a distinctive style that is unmistakable.
We will get a fair sampling of his beautiful music at the Toot and Twang concert on April 27 when Phil Weaver and Rosa Richardson play two pieces from Piazzolla’s Histoire de Tango, originally written for flute and guitar, and then Libertango arranged for flute and guitar. As Phil Weaver indicates in his notes for the program, the selections will nicely demonstrate Piazzolla’s energetic and percussive rhythms as well as his emotional and sometimes haunting melodies.
We will get a fair sampling of his beautiful music at the Toot and Twang concert on April 27 when Phil Weaver and Rosa Richardson play two pieces from Piazzolla’s Histoire de Tango, originally written for flute and guitar, and then Libertango arranged for flute and guitar. As Phil Weaver indicates in his notes for the program, the selections will nicely demonstrate Piazzolla’s energetic and percussive rhythms as well as his emotional and sometimes haunting melodies.
You will not want to miss the concert! It is this Sunday, April 27th at 4:00 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison, AL The concert is free and a light reception will follow.
Piazzolla was born in Argentina, but then moved at the age
of 4 with his Italian immigrant parents to Greenwich Village in New York. His father bought him a bandoneon that he
found in a pawn shop, and Astor began playing a wide range of music inspired by
the many recordings that this father played for him. The bandoneon, Piazzolla’s signature
instrument for his entire life, is similar to an accordion. It was
invented in Germany in the 1800’s by Heinrich Band to serve as a compact
organ for religious music in small churches.
German and Italian sailors found it especially convenient to take on
board ship, and it migrated with them to South America, where it became an
essential part of Argentinian tango ensembles.
Here is a beautiful video recording of Piazzolla performing the bandoneon in a live 1986 performance in Utrecht.
Here is a beautiful video recording of Piazzolla performing the bandoneon in a live 1986 performance in Utrecht.
Astor’s love for traditional tango and classical music
developed rapidly. He composed his first
tango at 11, then started classical piano lessons at 12 in New York with
Hungarian Pianist Bela Wilda, a student of Rachmaninoff. His skill on the bandoneon was recognized by
tango composer Carlos Gardel who invited 13 year old Astor to joint him on tour. Fortunately his father did not grant him
permission to leave home, since Gardel and his group were killed in a plane
crash soon afterwards. Piazzolla later
joked that if his father had not been so wise, he would be playing harp,
instead of the bandoneon.
Piazzola lived in New York and Italy with his family until
at 17 when he moved to Buenos Aires where he made a living playing bandoneon in
tango orchestras. At this time he met
Artur Rubenstein who encouraged him to study with the Argentinian composer Ginastera. Piazzolla continued to perform and arrange
for tango orchestras through the 1940’s and early 1950’s, when he decided to give
up tango and began studying Stravinsky, Bartok and Ravel. It was over the next few years that Piazzolla
began to develop a distinct style of his own.
In 1953 he won the Savitsky composition award in Buenos Aires after a
performance of his work for bandoneon and orchestra, an unusual work that led to
fighting in the audience. The award
included a grant to study in Paris with Nadia Boulanger, who immediately
realized his talent and encouraged him to never leave the tango.
Back in Argentina Piazzola continued to compose by working
with small groups, quintets and octets, and composing essentially instrumental
tangos that combined traditional elements of the tango with jazz and chamber
music. This he called the Nuevo Tango. It continued to be too avante guarde for
Argentina, but became more widely appreciated in Europe and North America.
Over the next 30 years he traveled with a number of small groups
that he organized and conducted to showcase his music, including Conjunto 9,
the first Quintet (1960), Conjunto Electronico, and the second Quintet
(1978). Many recordings were made during
this time, including the famous recording with his Quintet at the Montreal
International Jazz Festival in 1984 and the New York Central Park concert in
1987 with vibraphonist Gary Burton. The
Utrect video from 1986 is with the Nuevo Tango Quintet, including some
beautiful playing by violinist Fernando Suarez Paz, first violinist for the
Buenos Aires Philharmonic.
Piazzolla wrote on the order of 3000 pieces. His music has been embraced by a large number
of musicians, ranging from jazz artists such as Al Dimeola to classical
performers including Gidon Kremer. The impeccable
technique of Kremer and his friends in his “Hommage a Piazzolla” CD is a real
treat.
When a six-year old girl was once asked “How do you like
this music?” she responded “This music
comes from angels”. Who could ask for
more?
--- Submitted by John Shriver for Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Poster for April 27th Concert
Longing for sunshine and warmth? Our April 27th Concert will feature the musical flavors of Latin America. "Sambas, Tangos and Dances" will be performed by 'Toot & Twang,' the performance duo of floutist Rosa Vidro Richardson and innovative classical guitarist Phil Weaver.
The concert takes place at Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison, AL.
Concert begins at 4 pm. A light reception will follow the concert.
Concert is Free. Donations will be collected to support the Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series.
Thank you for supporting Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series!
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Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Sambas, Tangos and Latin American Flavors Highlight Third Concert
Third Concert to Feature Duo of Phil Weaver, Rosa Vidro Richardson
Please consider supporting the Music at Messiah Concert Series as an advertiser or donor.
Preparations are underway for the third concert of Music at Messiah's inaugural concert season. The concert will take place on Sunday April 27th at 4:00 p.m.
"Toot and Twang" is the musical duo of classical guitarist Phil Weaver and flautist, Rosa Vidro Richardson. They are preparing a program filled with the lively rhythms and textures of Latin and South American music and dance. (Given the extended chilly weather we've been experiencing, a trip "South of the Border," even if carried out via music, is a welcome thought to the author)
Phil Weaver is, as his Web site says, "an innovative classical guitarist. He has a strong local following in Huntsville through the several ensembles he is party to. One is Consonare, a performance duo with pianist wife Ingrid von Spakovsky (she performed with Oboist Gary Parks in our second concert). Weaver strives to make classical music interesting and accessible to an ever-widening audience.
Phil Weaver is, as his Web site says, "an innovative classical guitarist. He has a strong local following in Huntsville through the several ensembles he is party to. One is Consonare, a performance duo with pianist wife Ingrid von Spakovsky (she performed with Oboist Gary Parks in our second concert). Weaver strives to make classical music interesting and accessible to an ever-widening audience.
Rosa Vidro Richardson is an accomplished and dynamic musician as well. A quote on her Facebook page provides a hint of the bright personality she brings to the musical mix. "Half of the world claims they are musicians because they can "jam" on an instrument...I'm one of them." Her performance duo with Phil Weaver is a recent collaboration. They chose "Toot & Twang" in contrast to the commonly held belief that serious classical music must be stiff, humorless and performed only in reputable concert halls!
While MAMCCS will maintain itself as a reputable concert venue, these two talented musicians bring serious classical music to the Tennessee Valley area in a fresh and approachable way which is truly at the heart of the Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series! The concert is April 27th at 4:00 PM.
Written by Meredith Kilby for the Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series.
For more information on Phil Weaver, visit his Web site
http://www.philweaverguitar.com/index.html
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Michael Head Concert Sunday - Next Concert Announced for April 27th
Parks - von Spakoksvy Concert Sunday at 4 pm
Gary Parks and Ingrid von Spakovsky are set to perform this Sunday at Messiah Lutheran Church. The concert begins at 4 pm. The concert will feature pieces for Oboe and Piano composed by the English Composer Michael Head, Claude Debussy and others. Solo piano pieces by Ingrid von Spakovsky will include Peter Maxwell Davies' Farewell to Stromnes and George Gershwin's Three Preludes.
This will be the premier performance of the concert. "Oboe Music of Michael Head." This is the second concert in the newly formed concert series.
Admission is free. Donations will be taken on the door to support the Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series. Thank you for your patronage and support.
Admission is free. Donations will be taken on the door to support the Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series. Thank you for your patronage and support.
Phil Weaver, Rosa set for April 27th Concert Date
"Phil Weaver and Rosa Vidro Richardson"
Sunday, April 27th, 2014 - 4:00 p.m.
Toot and Twang is classical guitarist Phil Weaver and flutist Rosa Vidro Richardson. They are on the music faculty at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and have performed live on WLRH public radio, Moonfolk Festival, Berkeley Bob's Coffeehouse, City Lights and Stars Concert Series, and the Flying Monkey Arts Center. This season they performed at the Kentuck Festival's main stage and Tangled String Studios at Lowe Mill. Rosa has a Master's in flute performance from Austin Peay University and has performed with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and Gateway Chamber Ensemble. Phil Weaver was the first guitarist to be awarded an individual artist's fellowship from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and he performed the guitar part for Gustav Mahler's 7th Symphony with both the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and the Louisiana Philharmonic. His music video Danza with filmmaker Jon Sawa has been very well received with acclaim from the composer himself, two-time Grammy winner Edin Solis and Bill Kanengiser of LAGQ.
The program for April will include sambas by Celso Machado, tangos by Astor Piazzolla, Jose Luis Merlin's Progresiones para Pauline, as well as guitar solos by Edin Solis.
Toot and Twang is classical guitarist Phil Weaver and flutist Rosa Vidro Richardson. They are on the music faculty at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and have performed live on WLRH public radio, Moonfolk Festival, Berkeley Bob's Coffeehouse, City Lights and Stars Concert Series, and the Flying Monkey Arts Center. This season they performed at the Kentuck Festival's main stage and Tangled String Studios at Lowe Mill. Rosa has a Master's in flute performance from Austin Peay University and has performed with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and Gateway Chamber Ensemble. Phil Weaver was the first guitarist to be awarded an individual artist's fellowship from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and he performed the guitar part for Gustav Mahler's 7th Symphony with both the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and the Louisiana Philharmonic. His music video Danza with filmmaker Jon Sawa has been very well received with acclaim from the composer himself, two-time Grammy winner Edin Solis and Bill Kanengiser of LAGQ.
The program for April will include sambas by Celso Machado, tangos by Astor Piazzolla, Jose Luis Merlin's Progresiones para Pauline, as well as guitar solos by Edin Solis.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Publicity Efforts in Full Swing for Feb 16th "Michael Head" Concert
Gary Parks, Ingrid von Spakovsky to be interviewed on WLRH Feb 13th
(Update 2/13/2014 - the interview scheduled on WLRH has been cancelled due to weather / road conditions) We're pleased to announce that Gary Parks and Ingrid von Spakovsky are scheduled to be interviewed on air, at approximately 11:05 am, Thursday, Feb 13th on WLRH (89.3FM and online www.wlrh.org) by radio host Judy Watters. In addition to the interview, MAMCCS will be recording a short Public Service Announcement with WLRH to run periodically prior to the February 16th Concert. Please tune in and if you are able, support our local Public Radio Station WLRH. We are grateful for their presence in the Tennessee River Valley.
Announcing a Facebook Page for Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series!
We have recently created a Facebook Page for the Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series. The ability for social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and You-Tube to extend the reach of traditional advertising is immense. Please visit the page and "Like" it and "Share Posts" with your users. Here's the address: https://www.facebook.com/musicatmessiah
Posters and Poster Cards Available at Messiah Lutheran Church!
A limited supply of posters and an ample supply of "Concert Cards" will be set out at the Welcome Center of Messiah Lutheran Church from now until February 16th. Please take the concert cards and use them to invite co-workers or friends and place on your workplace lunch room bulletin board. The cards feature a handy "QR" code that allows the person to save the date to their smart phone calendars.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Gary Parks, Ingrid von Spakovsky prepare for Feb 16th Messiah Concert
Journey into the romantic, lyrical music of British composer Michael Head on February 16th. Concert begins at 4 pm.
Oboist Gary Parks and pianist Ingrid von Spakovsky are set to perform the "Oboe Music of Michael Head." The concert will feature several delightfully pleasant and lyrical compositions by Head including Rondo, Siciliana, and the Suite for Oboe and Piano. Also to be featured on the program will be several piano pieces of Claude Debussy, beautifully transcribed for oboe and piano by oboist, Humbert Lucarelli. Additional works by Gershwin, Sayre and Davies will round out the performance. Michael Head was a 20th century British composer well known as a singer and pianist who composed many art songs and pieces of choral literature. The oboe music featured in this program is mostly a result of his collaboration with Lady Evelyn Rothwell Barbarolli, the first lady of the oboe in England.
Admission to the concert is free. Donations to support the Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series are greatly appreciated. Please visit our sponsorship page for advertising and sponsorship information.
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