ACSO presents "An Evening of French Fantaisie" : simplebooklet.com

The Atlanta Community Symphony OrchestraHistory of the OrchestraThe Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra(ACSO) was conceived in the summer of 1957under the auspices of the Atlanta Music Club(AMC). At that time, there were very limitedorchestral opportunities for seriousinstrumentalists in Atlanta. Mrs. CharlesChalmers, AMC President (1956-1960),worked with AMC members Mrs. Ruth DabneyAllen and Ms. Ruth Kern, a local musiceducator and violist, to establish a communityorchestra to further he progress of talentedamateur musicians in the Atlanta area.Ms. Kern emphasized that it was theresponsibility of the teachers of the city tosee that serious music students and adultmusicians had an opportunity to rehearse andperform symphonic music.In the fall of 1957, at the invitation ofthe AMC, an ensemble of seventeenplayers convened at the home of Mrs.Andrew Fairlie to explore thepossibilities for a new community-based orchestra to perform symphonicliterature. The Atlanta CommunityOrchestra (now the ACSO) was officiallyfounded in 1958. The ACSO’s first freepublic concert was performed on May12, 1958,under the baton of MaestroHarry Kruger. More than half a century later, theACSO continues to provide symphonicorchestral training and performanceopportunities for serious Atlanta-areamusicians and quality, free symphonic performances for audiences around metro-Atlanta and the State of Georgia. For morethan forty years, the ACSO has held an annual Young Artists’ Concerto Competition(YACC), giving dedicated music students the opportunity to perform solo works with theorchestra. The Ruth Kern YACC is named in honor of Ms. Kern, founding ACSO member,for her dedication to both music education and the orchestra.Today, the ACSO provides the citizens of metro Atlanta and other Georgia cities withmultiple concerts each year at no admission charge.

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Phillip E. Allen,Guest ConductorA native of Atlanta, Phillip is honored to havebecome a nationally recognized Composer,Arranger and Orchestrator. Over the years hegarnered many local and national awards forhis work; among these is the noteworthy andprestigious George Foster Peabody Award forhis music composition work in television forThe Boy King, about the childhood years ofMartin Luther King, Jr. Additional notablecomposing highlights include: the theme songfor the Macy’s Christmas Parade, livetheatrical productions, produced Off-Broadway, at the Kennedy Center for thePerforming Arts, the Beverly Hills Playhouse,the Atlanta Jewish Community Center, theoriginal bid theme song “The Dream” for the1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta sung byCeline Dion, the award-winning Atlanta Passion Play, and original music for the epicand historic Jerusalem 3000 Celebration – played by the Israel PhilharmonicOrchestra and conducted by Maestro Zubin Mehta.As a conductor, over the years Phillip has become associated with notable symphonyorchestras. A few of these groups include: The Israel Philharmonic, The Gulf CoastSymphony, The Nashville String Machine and The Atlanta Pops Orchestra. In 2017 hebecame founder and conductor of the concert/recording/scoring orchestra, ThePeach State Orchestra.While Phillip remains an active Conductor, Composer, Organist and Pianist, he canalso currently be found producing and playing in recording studios in both Atlantaand Nashville, as well as performing at churches throughout the Southeast. A few ofthese have included Roswell Street Baptist Church, Christ Church Anglican, FirstBaptist Church of Atlanta (including the international television ministry of Dr.Charles Stanley, In Touch, seen weekly by millions of people worldwide), First BaptistChurch of Jonesboro, Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church, Peachtree CornersBaptist Church, First Baptist Church of Marietta, Saint Catherine of Siena CatholicChurch, Briarlake Baptist Church and at his current home church, Johnson FerryBaptist Church, in Marietta, Georgia.Over the past several years, the door has opened for Phillip to dive into scoringmovies, with new projects in the works slated to be released soon. At last estimate,there are more than 4,000 pieces of music which have been penned by Phillip’sprolific hand, a segment of which have found their way into movie scores.In his spare time, Phillip plays for numerous live theatre productions in orchestra pitsaround Atlanta. He also enjoys composing live musical accompaniment for classicHollywood silent movies, along with pre-show entertainment and sing-alongs, risingfrom the pit as Staff Theatre Organist at The Strand Theatre in Marietta. Phillip currently resides in Marietta, Georgia with his wife Mandy. Together they enjoycruising and traveling, especially exploring the amazing back roads of Georgia. Phillipalso enjoys reading, studying and collecting symphonic classical music scores alongwith great Hollywood movie scores.

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Andrzej ŻabińskiConcertmasterAndrzej Michael Żabiński is a remarkableviolinist whose musical journey hasencompassed a plethora of performance andeducational opportunities. Graduating fromVanderbilt University and the ClevelandInstitute of Music where he studied withCornelia Heard and David Updegraff,Żabiński’s commitment to music led him tobecome an adjunct professor of violin andmusic theory at Vanderbilt for 2 years. Hispassion for teaching continues through athriving private violin studio maintained since2005. He most recently has begun teaching with theAtlanta Music Project. With a career spanning over two decades,Żabiński’s artistry has resonated with various orchestras, including the Nashville Symphony, Atlanta Opera, and the AtlantaSymphony orchestras. In addition, he served as Assistant Concertmaster with theSavannah Philharmonic for nearly 10 years. Beyond his mastery of the violin, Żabiński’s creative spirit extends to compositionand conducting. A mentorship under the baton of Kenneth Kiesler for two decadeshas deepened his understanding of musical expression. His musical path has alsoled to collaborations with a diverse array of artists including Emanuel Ax andBernadette Peters. In addition, he toured with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. Andrzej Michael Żabiński’s journey in music is one that seamlessly weaveseducation, performance, and collaboration. His commitment to excellence is notonly evident in his performances but also in his dedication to nurturing the musicaltalents of others. Support the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestraby selecting us as your charitable organization when youshop with your Kroger Community Rewards Prgram orby sponsoring your favorite musician!SPONSOR A MUSICIAN

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Marvin R. Winter, DDSinfo@marvinwinterdds.com(404)373-2667160 Clairemont Avenue, Suite 140Decatur, GA 30030Proud sponsor of the Atlanta Community Symphony OrchestraVisit our website for more Information:https://acsorch.org/concertocompetition/The Ruth Kern Young Artists ConcertoCompetition was named after Ruth Kern,a dedicated musician who touchedcountless lives through her passion formusic and education.Embrace the legacy of Ruth Kern andwitness young talents shine with theAtlanta Community Symphony Orchestra.Don't miss the chance to support and beinspired by the next generation of musicalprodigies. Join us in celebrating thepower of music and the influence it hason our youth! Every year, winners are given theopportunity to perform as solo artistswith the Atlanta Community SymphonyOrchestra.

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ATLANTA COMMUNITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAPhillip E. Allen, Guest ConductorProudly presents their Fall Concert “An Evening of French Fantaisie”Sunday, November 5 at 4:00pmChurch at WieucaDr. Barry Howard, PastorRev. Rick Cobb, Minister of Worship Arts--- Intermission ---PreludeAdagiettoCarillonIntermezzoMinuetFarandoleRoman Carnival Overture, Op. 9 - Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) Allegro Assai Con Fuoco Andante Sostenuto Allegro VivaceMarche Funèbre d’une Marionnette – Charles Gounod (1818-1893) Orchestrated by Tomáš KöpplMeditation from THAIS – Jules Massenet (1842-1912) Arranged and Orchestrated by Phillip E. Allen Andrzej Zabinski, Violin SoloistL’Arlesienne Suite - George Bizet (1838-1875)Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Orchestrated by Tomáš KöpplSelections from “Les Misérables” – Claude-Michel Schoenberg (1944- ) Arranged by Bob Lowden

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PROGRAM NOTESGloria C. Jacobson, Ph.D.Berlioz, Roman Carnival OvertureHector Berlioz (1803-1869) was, like Chopin and Schumann, a Romantic. His musicexemplified it and so did his personal life. He was the son of a doctor and planned to become a doctor himself. However, he foundthat the scenes of carnage were too much for him and, consequently, began pursuing amusical career. He started learning the flute and the guitar and in 1826 entered the ParisConservatory. In 1827 he saw a production of Hamlet at the Odéon Theater and fellwildly in love with the Irish actress Harriet Smithson, who played Ophelia. Hisunrequited passion was set to music in his programmatic Symphonie fantastique,subtitled “Episodes in the life of an artist.” He ended up marrying Harriet Smithson and,although he never divorced her, he had a long affair with the singer Marie Recio. Sheended up becoming his second wife after Harriet Smithson died of alcoholism in 1854.Berlioz was beset by financial problems and resorted to writing reviews and articles tosupplement his income. His talent was not recognized in his country by the composersof the time. Bizet called him “a genius without talent” and Debussy called him “amonster; he is not a musician at all.” Even Ravel called him “the worst musician amongmusical geniuses.”Berlioz' opera Benvenuto Cellini was a total failure when it premiered in 1838. It was“hissed with admirable energy and unanimity,” as the composer admitted. Five yearslater he composed the Roman Carnival Overture based on the music from the opera . Itsfirst performance as an independent piece took place in Paris in 1844 with the composerconducting. It was encored immediately and it is nowone of his most popular Overtures.Bizet, L'Arlésienne Suites 1 and 2Georges Bizet (1838-1875) was born into a musical family. His father was a singingteacher and composer and his mother a talented pianist. He was destined for a musicalcareer. He entered the Paris Conservatory in 1847 where he studied piano, harmony andcomposition. When he was just seventeen he wrote his Symphony in C Major His firstimportant opera, Les pêcheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers), premiered in 1863 and wasa failure. The composer, dejected, suffered an emotional breakdown in 1868. His operaCarmen, premiering in 1875, was better received, but apparently not as well as Bizet hadexpected, which plunged him into a deep depression. He died a few weeks later, of aheart attack, at age 36.L'Arlésienne, was a play adapted by Alphonse Daudet from his famous short story“Lettres de mon moulin.” Bizet hurriedly composed 27 pieces of incidental music for theplay. The play was a failure but Bizet extracted a suite from the music and arranged it forfull orchestra. Suite 2 was extracted by Ernest Guiraud after Bizet's early death. Suites 1and 2 have become extremely well-known and performed throughout the world. Todaywe hear selections from both Suites. The “Farandole” in Suite 2 is very popular, setting aProvençal tune against a playful dance melody. Gounod, Marionetten-Trauermarsch Charles Gounod (1818-1893) is today remembered primarily for his opera Faust (1859).However, he was an accomplished and prolific composer whose works were influentialin both France and England.The son of two artists, Gounod, at the age of thirteen, studied music with his artist-

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PROGRAM NOTES(cont’d)pianist mother. He went on to the Paris Conservatory, winning the Prix de Rome in1839. He spent three years in Rome, where he became interested in ancient Italianchurch music, primarily that of Palestrina. He then began writing his own sacred musicand produced oratorios for British festivals. He even considered becoming a priest.Gounod composed a total of thirteen operas, but none achieving the popularity ofFaust. Trauermarsch is translated as Funeral March of a Marionette. This short piece tells thetale of two members of a Marionette troupe who participate in a duel. When one of themarionettes dies the funeral procession sets out for the cemetery. It was originallywritten for solo piano in 1872 and orchestrated in 1879. The music was used in fourfilms during the 1920's. Alfred Hitchcock heard the music in the film Sunrise: A Song ofTwo Humans and decided to use it as the theme for his television program “AlfredHitchcock Presents.” Debussy, Clair de Lune, arr. Köppl Claude Debussy (1862-1918) entered the Paris Conservatory at the age of ten, wherehe studied piano, solfege and harmony. His rebellious ways while at the Conservatory,preferring harmonies that shocked his teachers, ended this path to formal training. Hewas convinced that French music had to rid itself from the German influence ofBeethoven and Wagner. He was the first Western composer to use whole-tone scaleswith regularity. He was fascinated by Mussorgsky's vocal writing and Erik Satie'sunconventional style. The Javanese gamelan music he heard at the 1889 ParisExposition helped him realize the power of musical economy of means. The exoticflavor and the unique scales used in this music made a lasting impression on him. Heinfluenced Ravel, Stravinsky, de Falla, Bartok, as well as Gershwin and Messiaen.Originally written for piano, Clair de Lune is the third and most famous movement ofSuite bergamasque (1890). A depiction of moonlight, it was written with Paul Verlaine'spoem of the same name in mind. The movement shows incredible simplicity of textureand turns of color. It is a challenge to performers. It is mostly played pianissimo and isin D-flat major.Tomáš Köppl is a Slovakian conductor, composer, pianist, arranger and teacher. Massenet, “Meditation” from ThaisJules Massenet (1842-1912) was first instructed in piano by his mother, who alsotaught his other three talented siblings. At age 11 he entered the Paris Conservatorywithout difficulty and continued on to win a number of prizes, including the Prix deRome in 1863. Massenet cultivated the French musical tradition when, at the end ofthe 19th century, several musical styles were in vogue. The style was more Classicaland orderly than Romantic and very expressive. It was understated and full of lyrical,sensuous melodies as exemplified in his operas Manon (1884), Werther (1892), LeJongleur de Notre Dame (1902) and Thais (1894).Thais, adapted from the novel by Anatole France, tells the story of the violent conflictin the soul of the monk Athanael, who has fallen in love with the famous courtesan ofAlexandria, Thais. The “Meditation” is actually the second-act intermezzo, and isscored for violin solo and orchestra.Thais, adapted from the novel by Anatole France. tells the story of the violent conflictin the soul of the monk Athanael, who has fallen in love with the famous courtesan ofAlexandria, Thais. The “Meditation” is actually the second-act intermezzo, and isscored for violin solo and orchestra.

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PROGRAM NOTES(cont’d)Schönberg, Selections from Les MisérablesLes Misérables is a musical, originally premiering in Paris in 1980, and based on the1862 novel of the same name by Victor Hugo. It tells the story of Jean Valjean, aFrench peasant who has served nineteen years in jail. In the process of seekingredemption, Valjean breaks his parole and decides to start a new life, but a policeinspector is adamant about not letting him escape, and pursues him for most of theplay.Although the initial review of Les Misérables was negative, the Broadway productionopened on March 12, 1987 and ran until May 18 2003. It closed after 6,680performances. It was then the second-longest-running musical in Broadway history.Claude-Michel Schönberg (b. 1944) is a French record producer, actor, singer,songwriter, and musical theatre composer. He has collaborated with lyricist AlainBoublil in several other productions, including La Révolution Française (1973) , MissSaigon (1989), Martin Guerre (1996), The Pirate Queen (2006), and Marguerite (2008).

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Serving the Atlanta community since 1912, AllianceFrançaise Atlanta is a member-supported 501c 3 non-profit organization with a mission of promoting theknowledge of French language and French-speakingcultures through educational and cultural programming.We are committed to teaching French, fostering cross-cultural understanding and enriching cultural life inMetro Atlanta.Our language school offers a full range of French coursesfor individuals, groups, businesses, and non-profit andgovernmental organizations. Our students learn Frenchin a friendly, intimate setting, with class sizes rangingfrom 5 to 14 students.Our social and cultural calendar includes concerts,culinary events, film screenings, art exhibits and debatesthat are held at our Downtown and Roswell centers andat locations throughout the city in collaboration with ourmany cultural and educational partners.https://afatl.comAlliance Française Atlanta233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA30303(404) 875-1211admin@afatl.com

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Violin 1Andrzej Żabiński, ConcertmasterDavid AndersenCraig FrankelGloria JacobsonMorgan JonesAndrea JonssonJonathan KamenearAnanya MoorthyJennie RamboPhilip ReesmanPeter StraussViolin 2Ellen Krall, PrincipalZoë CesarDeborah CookDara JonkoskiMargo KinseyMelissa LuchtAntoine MiltonJennifer Nickell, Sponsored by AnnBallardErnest TurnerViolaBen Bedont, PrincipalAngelique Desiree Carney, Sponsored byJoseph EvansDonna Clegg, Sponsored by NautiGirlfriendsSarah ShapleyNorman Zoller, Sponsored by Bill & RheaBergerCello Abby Jones, Principal Courtney Emerson Margaret Leith Alanna Morris Asia Murray David Ramirez Grace YenBassTerry Klemensen, PrincipalCameron LeopoldCurtis MurdockHarpLiesl HaganTy ShawPianoAnnie CookFlute/PiccoloTisa Schuurman, PrincipalJoel Emerson, piccoloOboe/English HornAmy Ross, Principal, Sponsored by Marian& James PattersonIvy FrancisClarinet/Alto Saxophone Stacey Quiros, Principal Ray Caputo Matthew Hess, alto saxophoneBassoon Jacob Davis, Principal Jason LeeFrench Horn Christopher Nichols, Principal Vicky Avanzato Gibson Garner Michael McFarlinTrumpet Kathleen Nicole Fallin, Principal Herb Kraft Craig SprinkleTrombone/Bass Trombone Richard Schulman, Principal Paul Bonapfel Don Wilmont, bass tromboneTuba Perry PeekTimpani/Percussion Bill Bittman John Chapman Beth Green-Charles Patrick Ham

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CORPORATE PARTNERS$1,000 - $2,499Gaslowitz Frankel LLC$500 - $749Alliance Française d’Atlanta$249 - $499Elizabeth K. PinderVoss ViolinsFOUNDATION SUPPORT$2,499 - $5000Mrs. Chilton D. Varner - MAC Family Fund$500 - $749Vladimir Sovsnosky - Schwab Charitable /Diego Family Charitable Gift FundPRIVATE SUPPORTBenefactor $2500 - $5000Ralph Hough*Contributor $1,000 - $2,499Joel EmersonRichard SchulmanSponsor $750 - $999Ron BradleyPatron $500 - $749Gloria and Ed JacobsonMerchLogix, LLCSupporter $249 - $499Marian and James Patterson**Amy and Jason RossJean Russ*Marvin Winter, DDSNorman and Harriet ZollerDonor $100 - $249Ann Ballard**Irene Constantinides**Joseph Evans**Craig FrankelNauti Girlfriends**Beth Green-CharlesLiesl HaganJanet Hasty*Caitlin KellyJennifer NickellFriends $25 - $99David AndersenNicole BonillaAtlanta Community Symphony OrchestraPhillip E. Allen, Guest Conductor2023-2024 List of DonorsJudy Latz Memorial FundPlaton P. Constantinides MemorialChair Abe Gerson Memorial FundDon Hough Music Library FundAngelique CarneyIvy FrancisMoshe JacobsonCharles Jaret*Abby JonesDavid JonesAndrea JonssonEllen KrallStacy QuirosSarah ShapleyONGOING SUPPORTPhillip E. AllenChristChurch PresbyterianRick CobbMrs. Deborah CookTemple Emanu-ElStephen FrketicJonathan Green-CharlesHeidi HooperGabe JordanMarcia MurdockAbe OkieKroger Community RewardsTisa SchuurmanSt. Bartholomew’s Episcopal ChurchChurch at WieucaACSO ‘IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD’SUPPORTSarah Smith Intermediate School*Donation made in memory of Don Hough**Donation made sponsoring a musicianchair***The ACSO Honors in name pastindividuals who have made a significantimpact through their ongoing funds:

ACSO presents "An Evening of French Fantaisie"

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