An Afternoon of Jane Austen Events

Saturday, March 2, 2013
1:30 - 4:00 pm
Two Part Program
Historic Paces Ferry Rd UMC
 

The Piano Scenes of Pride and Prejudice
and
the Music of Jane Austen's Personal Notebooks

 

The piano-forte is mentioned throughout Jane Austen's works, but nowhere does it play a more prominent role than in Austen's masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice.  Three of the Lizzy-Darcy confrontations occur around three different instruments in chapters 8, 10, and 31:

- at Lucas Lodge where Charlotte's family gives a party

- at Netherfied Park where Lizzy visits her invalided sister

- at  Rosings where we almost hear Lady Catherine play (if only she had learnt!)

As part of the 200th anniversary of the publication of that novel, we will have volunteers reading the dialog from those three chapters.  We'll need several people to play Mr. Darcy, Lizzy, Mr. Bingley, Caroline Bingley and others.  Does reading just the piano scenes consecutively reveal new insights on the Lizzy-Darcy 'duet'?  Yes! 

Following the readings and discussion we will break for refreshments before proceeding to our main event:

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  Music from Jane Austen's Music Notebooks
A Conversational Recital 

 Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, musicologist 

We are very fortunate to have visiting us in Atlanta Professor Elizabeth Morgan of St. Josepeh's University in Philadelphia.  Prof Morgan spent time at the Chawton House Museum and and studied Jane Austen's actual music notebooks that the author herself transcribed from borrowed sheet music.  Clearly, the piano-forte was a very important part of Austen's life.  According to family members she practiced early in the mornings nearly every day.  

About the performer... 

Praised by the Baltimore Sun for her “achingly sweet touch at the keyboard,” American pianist Elizabeth Morgan brings history and performance alive in her conversational recitals, writing, lectures, and teaching.  A native of San Francisco, she received her undergraduate and master’s degrees in piano performance at The Juilliard School, before completing a PhD in music history as a Dean’s Fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles, where her advisor was Susan McClary.  Currently Assistant Professor of Music History and Piano Performance at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, she maintains a busy performance schedule.

Ms. Morgan frequently gives conversational recitals, where she introduces musical works with commentary from the keyboard, often crafting programs around a single theme or idea.   She is best known for a conversational recital program of musical works related to Jane Austen, which she has performed throughout the United States and at venues around England, including the Jane Austen’s House Museum and the Cobbe Collection.

 About the venue...

We will be meeting in the historic Paces Ferry Rd United Methodist Church which is located at the intersection of Mt Paran Rd and Paces Ferry Rd.  This is between Vinings and Buckhead and is located approximately 1/2 mile from exit 255 or 256 on I-75.  The small sancturary and its grounds have been immaculately restored. It is the frequent site of weddings and other special occasions.  The 'piano-forte' is a new Yamaha upright that sounds wonderful in this old (1896) building.    

Paces Ferry United Methodist Church

3650 Paces Ferry Rd, Atlanta, 30327

We are asking everyone to bring a snack to share and a donation of $1 to $10 to defray the costs of the facility rental and performer's travel expenses.  The order of events:

Volunteers set up    1:00-1:30
Socialize                  1:30-2:00
Readings                 2:00-2:45
Musical program      2:45-4:00

If you have any questions, please send them to info@JasnaAtlanta.org.



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