The New American Sinfonietta Makes Its Atlanta Debut

First Appearance at Georgia Inaugural Music Festival

On June 22, 2024, the city of Atlanta witnessed a grand inaugural event of the Georgia Music Festival. The star of the night was The New American Sinfonietta, which made its debut Atlanta performance under the guidance of artistic director Michael Palmer.

The First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta provided a mesmerizing venue with Tiffany-stained glass illuminating the enchanting melodies from the orchestra. The intimate setting enabled the audience to connect deeply with the performance.

Background of the New American Sinfonietta

The New American Sinfonietta early beginnings trace back to 2022. The ensemble was kickstarted at The Hamptons Festival of Music (THFM), another successful event curated by Anacrusis Productions. Despite the disruptions due to the pandemic, the passionate team, led by artistic director Michael Palmer and executive director Michael Yip, have managed to strengthen their mission of bringing classical music to the masses with the Georgia Festival of Music and The Art of Conducting workshop.

Program Lineup

The program for the evening showcased the finesse of classical music with compositions from regulatory staples— Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn. The overture from Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro and Symphony No. 35’s Andante, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, and Haydn’s Symphony No. 92 were performed.

Performance Review

The concert began with conductor Logan Souther leading the orchestra in performing the overture to Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. Logan, a local conductor and pianist, has been tutored under Maestro Palmer since he was 15. His stable yet energetic approach was appreciated by the orchestra and the audience alike.

Alexander Wilkerson, the first student to graduate from The Art of Conducting workshop, led the next performance of Symphony No. 35’s Andante by Mozart. The tranquil chords filled the church, creating an emotionally stirring atmosphere.

The orchestra’s rendition of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 was a striking contrast to Mozart, filled with rhythmic excitement. The first half of the concert concluded with warm applause from the pleased audience.

Post-intermission, Maestro Palmer took to the stage to lead the performance of Haydn’s Symphony No. 92. During the performance, the judicious use of rests and silences created a powerful connection between the orchestra and the audience. The piano dynamics and instrument features in the performance amplified the expressive potential of the composition. The final movement brought about vibrant energy amongst the audience, causing many to tap their feet and nod their heads in rhythm, and ended on a high note with heartfelt applause ringing across the concert hall.

The successful Atlanta debut of The New American Sinfonietta proves to be a promising start to their journey. It is truly an exciting time for the classical music enthusiasts of Atlanta as they anticipate more such performances from this team in the future.

Author: Charlotte Dennison, a cellist, choral singer, and music educator. A recent graduate of Georgia State University.