Pianist to close season

A Ukrainian pianist will take the stage Saturday for the final performance of the season for the Augusta Symphony's Columbia County Music Series.

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The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center at the Columbia County Library in Evans.

Valentina Lisitsa, who now resides in North Carolina, will play several pieces, including Sergei Rachmaninoff's Etude-tableau in A minor and Four Prelude . During the second half of the program, she will perform Beethoven's Sonata in F minor, Robert Schumann's Kinderszenen, Sigismond Thalberg's Fantasy on Barber of Seville and Franz Liszt's Totentanz.

The program will showcase a variety of musical "moods" for the audience, said Augusta Symphony Executive Director Sandra Self, who described the pieces as "romantic" and "soulful."

"They'll be able to witness that fire that she has, and that's what music is all about," she said. "I think they'll be able to really take some of that with them."

Lisitsa's first trip to the Augusta area was when she performed with the symphony's orchestra last year as a replacement for another musician, Self said.

The pianist tours internationally and has played Saturday's program in cities such as London, Tokyo, and Vienna.

"I'm looking forward to every performance," said Lisitsa, who began playing the piano at age 3. "It's always such a treat to come in front of people and play for them."

Lisitsa said her performance is not that of a typical classical concert, adding that she is excited to return to the area.

"I'm aiming for people's souls," she said. "If one of the persons cries during the concert, I think I did my job well."

The Augusta Symphony will bring the music series back to the county next season with four concerts. Self said the dates will be announced within six weeks.

Tickets cost $30 per person and can be purchased in advance at (706) 826-4705 or www.augustasymphony.org. Students and military personnel can purchase tickets for $7 at the door if they are still available.

"What I'm trying to do is give people a real thrill," Lisitsa said, "and to give them some goose bumps on the way."