Georgia Symphony: Sounds of Destiny

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Sounds of Destiny

Georgia Symphony Orchestra

The GSO is in the process of determining who shall become the new Music Director, to replace Michael Alexander who has moved on to enjoy the winters in Colorado. The board has narrowed the candidate list down to three first-class conductors, each of whom will be invited to perform here for audience response.

On October 17, we were treated to a program, Sounds of Destiny, under the baton of Brian Dolinger. Mr. Dolinger currently conducts the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra and the Clinton Symphony. And, maybe he’d enjoy the winters down here as opposed to Iowa, where they really do get a little more snow than we do.

The GSO opened with Giuseppe Verdi’s Overture to La Forze del desitno which sets the stage for thinking about what occurs and what might have occurred as we find that life is what happens while you wait for your plans to work out.

The second number was Johannes Brahms’ Schicksalslied which is a choral piece and featured the GSO chorus directed by Bryan Black. It was based upon a poem by Friedrich Holderlin. It’s one of those somewhat dark works, to be performed by a chorus with a chamber orchestra. Brahms is a fairly unique composer and you either dig him big time, or tolerate his work.

But, after intermission the audience was treated to Beethoven’s Fifth which is one of those classical works that you want to hum along with, and even try to count the number of times that the principal dah-dah-dah-DAH chords get played, or woven into the score.

Maestro Dolinger reminded me of the days when Yoel Levi conducted the ASO. For, Dolinger needed no score in front of him as he took to the podium. Every note and bit of instructional coding reposed in his head. The choral work was the only one where he may have looked at a score. He’s a very impressive conductor who interacts very well with an audience.

Next up with the GSO is a jazz concert on November 7th, at The Strand in Marietta Square. This big band night will be under direction of Sam Skelton and should be a blast. For more info and tickets visit GeorgiaSymphony.org