The Red and Black

Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Out & About

Conducted by renowned music director Robert Spano, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform an all-Tchaikovsky program. [Click to enlarge]

Though Christmas commercials have forever ingrained his music into popular culture, Tchaikovsky had much more to offer than the nostalgic twinkles of "The Nutcracker."

Grammy award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will be performing an all-Tchaikovsky program featuring acclaimed violinist Robert McDuffie on campus Sunday.

The orchestra hopes to revive the passion inherent in Tchaikovsky's original works.

"In many ways, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's life and career placed him uncomfortably between different worlds - a conflict that was a central aspect of his creative life," said Charlie Wade, Atlanta Symphony's vice president for marketing.


"Authors, dramatists and filmmakers have found his life a compelling source of raw material for discussion in plays, films and operas."

Sunday's program features Tchaikovsky's "Francesca da Rimini," "Violin Concerto in D Major" and "Symphony No. 1."

"The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is considered one of America's leading orchestras, known for the excellence of its live performances, presentations, renowned choruses and its impressive list of Grammy award-winning recordings," Wade said.

A pre-concert lecture will be given by Thomas Dickey, a doctoral student studying orchestral conducting at the University.

The lecture will begin 45 minutes prior to the concert and will be open to the public at no cost.

Dickey will present background information on Tchaikovsky's life and provide context on the three pieces being performed.

"I hope that my lecture will give the audience greater insight into the life of Tchaikovsky and the ways his life experiences impacted and are reflected in his music," Dickey said.

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