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

Date: _________________________________

Name: ______________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: ___________________________________________________

Home Phone: ____________________________________________________

Work Phone: _____________________________________________________

Cell Phone: ______________________________________________________

E-mail: __________________________________________________________

Volunteer Interest: ________________________________________________

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:

$ __________________

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:

The Pro-Mozart Society of Atlanta, Georgia, Inc. 3495 Piedmont Road, NE

Building 11 Suite 910 Atlanta, GA 30305

www.MozartAtlanta,com