ASO to play thought-provoking Adams work
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra this week features violinist Leila Josefowicz performing a new work by John Adams written for her, "Scheherazade 2."
In a talk linked to the New York Philharmonic's world premiere of the piece in March, Adams said he composed it after attending a Paris history exhibit about "Arabian Nights" folk stories that left him “shocked and appalled” by their “casual brutality” toward women. It sparked him, as well, to consider continuing physical and mental brutality against women in contemporary societies from the Middle East to America, he said.
Adams conducts the 8 p.m. Thursday and 7:30 p.m. Saturday concerts, which also will feature Respighi's "Pines of Rome" and Liadov's "The Enchanted Lake." $20-$99. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. aso.org.
Johns Creek program makes Soweto stop
Credit: hpousner
Credit: hpousner
The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra will have a little help with its musically globetrotting season-finale concert “Around the World in 80 Minutes” on May 9.
The 8 p.m. program of light classics and pops under the baton of J. Wayne Baughman will include a guest appearance by Atlanta’s Soweto Street Beat Dance Theater Company, performing to its own music. The concert also features compositions by Grieg, Borodin, Smetena, Loewe, Rodgers and Kern.
$30, $25 ages 55 and up, $15 students. Theater at Johns Creek High School, 5575 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek. 678-748-5802, www.johnscreeksymphony.org.
Decatur Civic Chorus leader to retire
After 57 years of directing the Decatur Civic Chorus, one of the country's longest continuously running vocal ensembles, Mary Anne Sharp plans to retire following its 64th Annual Spring Concert on May 17.
Sharp’s many accomplishments including leading the chorus on concert tours of Wales, England, Austria, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Mexico and serving as artistic manager for the 1993 DeKalb International Choral Festival.
Her farewell concert, at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church Decatur, is billed “A Salute to the Geniuses of the American Music Theatre” and includes a celebration of “The Sound of Music’s” 50th anniversary.
The concert will be dedicated to the late Nancy Bridges, a soprano in the chorus for more than six decades.
Free. 308 Clairemont Ave., Decatur. www.decaturcivicchorus.org.
