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Three Short Videos:  The Brandenburg Affair

8/30/2015

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Ken Meltzer on Bach performed in a non-traditional venue

Christina Smith and Todd Skitch on the 'Super Flute Effect" in Brandenburg Concerto No. IV

Ken Meltzer on spirituality in Bach's secular music
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The Brandenburg Affair

8/21/2015

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Today's Featured Artist: Todd Skitch, flute - The Brandenburg Affair

Who is Todd Skitch?

Canadian flutist Todd Skitch joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as Second Flute in September 2013. He is also a member of the Atlanta Chamber Players and is the Artist-in-Residence at Kennesaw State University.

Mr. Skitch started his orchestral career with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in 1997 after completing degrees at the University of Toronto and McGill University in Montreal, where his principal teachers were Timothy Hutchins and Nora Shulman.

Mr. Skitch’s career as a teacher and symphony musician includes many credits: an original member of the IRIS Orchestra with Michael Stern; Bellingham Festival of Music; Memphis Chamber Music Society; Tanglewood Music Center; Blossom Music Festival at Kent University, where he received the Maurice Sharp Award for outstanding flute applicant; Spoleto Festival USA; and the National Repertory Orchestra.

While in Memphis, Mr. Skitch served as the Chair of the Board of Directors and the Orchestra Manager for the Memphis Youth Symphony Program and taught flute at Rhodes College.

Mr. Skitch has been heard on CBC Radio-Canada, WKNO-Memphis, and as a soloist with the Memphis Symphony and IRIS Orchestra. In 2003 Todd joined the Canadian group Ensemble Noir on a historic, three-nation African tour to Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Why is The Brandenburg Affair so special to Todd?

"I'm thrilled to be a part of the Brandenburg concertos, especially #4. It is the only one with a Second Flute part! As the Second Flute of the ASO it's not normally my job to stand up in a concerto performance so I relish the opportunity. Only once before in my career have I been involved in a complete performance of all six concerti. This was in 1997."
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The Brandenburg Affair | Michael Palmer, Conductor

8/16/2015

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Today's Featured Artist: Michael Palmer, conductor - The Brandenburg Affair

Who is Maestro Michael Palmer?

Michael Palmer is the Artistic Director of the Bellingham Festival of Music and also holds the esteemed position of the Charles Thomas Wurm Distinguished Professor of Orchestral Studies at Georgia State University.

He has long been considered one of this country's finest conductors. Mr. Palmer began his career at age 21, when he came to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as assistant conductor at the invitation of Robert Shaw. He was soon made associate conductor, and also founded and was music director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. While in Atlanta, Mr Palmer was honored as one of five of the first conductors in the United States chosen by the National Endowment for the Arts to be Exxon Arts Endowment Conductor, and he was soon in demand with orchestras throughout the country. While continuing in his post in Atlanta, he was appointed guest conductor of the Houston Symphony Orchestra for a three-year period. He also worked extensively with the National Symphony Orchestra during this period, and he was, subsequently, named co-principal guest conductor of the Denver Symphony Orchestra.

After 10 years in Atlanta as associate conductor, Mr. Palmer accepted appointments as music director of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra followed by the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. In 1994 Carnegie Hall invited Michael Palmer and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra to make their New York debut on its distinguished Visiting Orchestra Series. During his tenure as music director in New Haven, Mr. Palmer founded the American Sinfonietta, which toured Europe for 10 seasons under his leadership, playing to critical acclaim in the major concert halls of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. This led to the creation of the Bellingham Festival of Music in 1993. Under his artistic leadership, the Festival has become internationally recognized for its artistry. Festival concerts are heard across the nation on NPR and feature some of the finest orchestral musicians and major guest artists from the United States and abroad. As Artistic Director since its formation, Mr. Palmer continues to lead the Festival each summer, having just wrapped up his 22nd season. He also maintains an active international guest conducting career each year.

Maestro Palmer also balances his performing career with his dedication to preserving and promoting the legacy of classical music for tomorrow’s generation. In 2009, he co-founded Anacrusis Productions Ltd. where he holds the position of Artistic Director.


Why is The Brandenburg Affair so special to Maestro Palmer?

"The Brandenburg Concertos are among the greatest works of musical art. They stand at the pinnacle of Bach’s orchestral repertoire. The opportunity to perform all of them in one evening and in an intimate social setting with a virtuoso ensemble is rare and important in any conductor’s experience. I invite you to join me for this unique and special live artistic event."


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The Brandenburg Affair | Christina Smith, flute

8/11/2015

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Today's Featured Artist: Christina Smith, flute - The Brandenburg Affair

Who is Christina Smith?

Christina Smith holds the esteem position of Principal Flute with the Atlanta Symphony orchestra. She is also one of the most sought-after flutists in the country as an orchestral player, soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. The 2015-16 season is Ms. Smith’s twenty-fifth anniversary season as principal flutist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, where she holds the Jill Hertz Principal Flute chair, endowed in perpetuity. Ms. Smith’s flute solos can be heard on 37 ASO recordings. She has also appeared with the orchestra numerous times as concerto soloist.

She graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy and began her studies at the Curtis Institute of Music as a pupil of the legendary Julius Baker. After just two years in Mr. Baker’s studio, she won the principal flute chair in the ASO at age 20. Ms. Smith has also studied with Jeffrey Khaner, Tim Day, and has collaborated extensively with master teacher and clinician Keith Underwood.

Ms. Smith has recently appeared as guest principal flutist with orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Vancouver Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony. She earned critical acclaim while performing on the latter ensemble’s 2010 European Tour. Equally passionate about teaching, Ms. Smith serves on the faculty at Kennesaw State University and maintains a busy private studio. She remains highly in demand to teach masterclasses across the country.


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Why is The Brandenburg Affair so special to Christina?

"I am thrilled to perform in this concert of all six Brandenburg concerti! The only other time I have experienced all six was in performances with the ASO over a decade ago. The concerti are beautiful, joyful and engaging. I am also very excited to perform them in an unusual venue at the WCAC. I think the acoustics will be fantastic and the modern urban vibe with the art deco bar will be a unique experience for everyone."
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The Brandenburg Affair 

8/1/2015

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ATL Symphony Musicians Foundation and Anacrusis Productions Ltd. invite you to join them on August 29,  at the Westside Cultural Arts Center for a performance of Bach's entire masterpiece: all Six Brandenburg Concertos in a single evening’s concert, featuring ATL Symphony Musicians, conducted by Michael Palmer.

The Brandenburg Affair is a chamber music concert and reception event, to bring musicians, artists and music lovers together, to mark the summer's end and look forward to the 2015-2016 artistic season.  Join us!


Welcome Reception 6:30 PM
Pre-Concert Talk       7:00 PM
Performance             7:30 PM
Tickets
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    Todd Skitch and Sally Kann for ATL Symphony Musicians Foundation

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