Few things in this world convey the spirit of the holidays as clearly and concisely as a well-sung (or played) song. From the rousing opening notes of Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus to the jubilant closing notes of “Jingle Bell Rock,” there seems to be something almost magical about the music of the season. Whether your tastes run to orchestral classics, gospel greats, charming children’s favorites or modern pop, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has the music you love. Fusing heartwarming traditions such as Christmas with the ASO and Gospel Christmas with special presentations including Celtic Woman and a New Year’s Eve toast to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the Orchestra provides a beacon of enlightenment for Atlanta’s many communities.
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
- Thursday, December 1, at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, December 3, at 8 p.m.
Director of Choruses Norman Mackenzie and the Chamber Chorus give voice to “Hallelujah” and the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah — a work that vividly captures the transcendence of the holidays as no other work does — and Bach’s treasured touchstone, Magnificat. Composed in 1741, with lyrics from the King James Bible and the Book Of Common Prayer, Messiah wasn’t what you’d call a breakout hit after its London premiere. But in the ensuing 270 years, it has emerged as one of the most frequently performed choral works in music history. J.S. Bach composed the Magnificat (based on the canticle of Mary as told in the Gospel of Luke) in 1723 for Christmas Vespers in Leipzig.
GOSPEL CHRISTMAS
- Friday, December 2, at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, December 3, at 2 p.m.
“Sing out your glory, glory,” or simply bask in the spiritual glow of this annual celebration of life. The dynamic Chelsea Tipton II conducts a raise-the-roof program of traditional and contemporary gospel, with the Orchestra’s acclaimed Gospel Choir, comprised of singers from leading churches across Atlanta. Directing the choir is Jarvis Wilson, who trained under the late Mrs. Alberta Williams King at Ebenezer Baptist Church and is currently the Minister of Music at Israel Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. Adding extra luster to this year’s event is a special appearance by Grammy Award-winning songwriter and “Atlanta Housewife,” Kandi Burruss.
A KID’S CHRISTMAS
- Sunday, December 4, at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
- Sunday, December 11, at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
Jingle your children’s bells and your own cherished memories with the season’s favorite songs, sing-alongs and carols, the joyful sounds of Rob Kapilow’s music for Chris van Allsburg’s enchanting Polar Express, and, of course, a timely visit by a very jolly St. Nick. Lee Harper, Atlanta’s First Lady of Dance, and her troupe provide sparkling routines and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, under Music Director Jere Flint, performs with the assured skill and unbridled enthusiasm that A Kid’s Christmas deserves. With four dates to choose from, there’s no excuse to miss this cherished winter wonderland for children.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE ASO
- Thursday, December 8, at 8 p.m.
- Friday, December 9, at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, December 10, at 2 and 8 p.m.
Not to be missed! Forty-five years ago, Robert Shaw gave a gift for the ages to the city he loved: a visionary, four-part interpretation of the greatest story ever told. Shaw was a titan in the classical world, renowned for his choral genius and winning 14 Grammys, 1991 Kennedy Center Honors and the first Guggenheim Fellowship ever awarded to a conductor. Norman Mackenzie presides over the 45th-anniversary edition of this timeless event, with the Orchestra and the Chorus, Morehouse College Glee Club, and Gwinnett Young Singers. If the sound of 400+ singers and musicians united in perfect harmony doesn’t invigorate your holiday spirit, you may want to check your pulse.
A VERY MERRY HOLIDAY POPS
- Friday, December 16, at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, December 17, at 2 and 8 p.m.
In his annual variety show of shows, Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski uncoils his famed Whip Concerto, a.k.a. Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, and welcomes Montego Glover, a native of Macon and Tony Award nominee for her role in the musical Memphis, and singer-pianist Tony DeSare, a jazz pianist and singer from the Michael Bublé school of suave who was named Downbeat Magazine’s Rising Star of 2009. Add a dancing Santa, a reveling drum line and a pair of exuberant choruses from Walton and Lassiter high schools, and you get Atlanta’s merriest-go-round. Krajewski is understandably excited about this year’s concert.
“Montego is going to sing a brand new song called ‘Bring Them Home,’” Krajewski says, “which is about remembering our military heroes who can’t be home for the holidays and hoping that they’ll all be returning safe and sound sometime soon. It’s going to be accompanied by a video showing folks in the services with their families, and I think that’s going to be a very affective sentiment at this time of year.”
HAVE YOURSELF A CELTIC LITTLE CHRISTMAS!
- Tuesday, December 20, at 8 p.m.
You love ‘em and the Orchestra has ‘em! The four remarkable women of Celtic Woman grace Atlanta for one incredible evening — one of only 13 dates on the vocal powerhouse’s first-ever symphony tour. Hear your favorite Christmas songs off their chart-topping Christmas albums and DVDs, in concert with the multi Grammy Award-winning Orchestra. Often described as “Riverdance for the voice,” Celtic Woman was co-assembled in 2004 by David Downes, who was formerly musical director for Michael Flatley’s famed Irish stage show. Combining elements of Celtic folk, classical music and adult contemporary pop, the group has gone on to enormous success, performing sold-out tours and selling over 6 million albums. Celtic Woman’s 2006 holiday album, Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration, remains one of their most popular. Performing with the Orchestra under the leadership of Irish conductor John Page, the group will perform a mixture of holiday classics and seasonal favorites from their beloved catalogue. Nearly sold out, so get your tickets now!
NEW YEAR’S EVE DANCING & ROMANCING
- Saturday, December 31, at 8 p.m.
Michael Krajewski rings in your New Year as only he can, with sparkling music evoking the first couple of song and dance, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. London and Broadway stage stars Joan Hess and Kirby Ward rekindle the golden era of top hats, tuxes, and shimmering gowns as they frolic to big band classics by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Jerome Kern.
“There are going to be lots of different styles of music and dancing going on,” says Krajewski, “from classical, ballroom, waltz and Big Band swing to various popular styles. It’s a very sophisticated, entertaining evening that we just think is the right kind of style for a New Year’s Eve concert. I enjoy giving people a real good time and a goodbye to this past year.”
The evening will end at 10 pm with a traditional champagne toast in the Symphony Hall lobby, which allows the audience numerous options after the show.
“They can either get themselves safely home by midnight,” Krajewski adds with a laugh, “or they can go out and party some more!”
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Bret Love covers the arts, entertainment, and restaurants and has his own website, GreenGlobalTravel.com.
