January brings the sound of classical music - Orett Rhoden to hold three-part festival

The internationally renowned Jamaican concert pianist is the brain behind the Orrett Rhoden International Music Festival to be held on Sunday, January 22, atthe Royal Plantation Hotel in Ocho Rios.

The 5 p.m. festival will be followed by another like it on January 29 at the Kingston Parish Church. That event will begin at 4 p.m.

Tickets for the first date can be bought at the Royal Plantation Hotel, while the second event boasts tickets outlets at Music Mart, Twin Gates, andat churches across Kingston.

Rhoden, in his first effort at something like promotion, has gone big and will be having a third concert on February 5 at the Mountambrin Theatre Gallery in Westmoreland. That event begins at 2 p.m. and tickets are available at the Mountambrin Theatre Gallery.

inspiration

Rhoden's inspiration to have a classical music festival here in Jamaicacame mainlyas an attempt to keep classical music alive in the country. It was not difficult to persuade his friends and internationally acclaimed musicians from the United States, Europe, and Jamaica to participate as the response frommany parts of the worldhas been overwhelming. Rhoden intends to make the festival an annual event.

Performing at the festival are Dr Illo Humphrey, concert baritone, who for decades has enjoyedacclaim as one ofthe world's leading medieval scholars and performers; Mme Claudine Pascal-Grisi,celebrated concert organist from France; Dwight McBean, renownedJamaican musician who will be directing a group of steel pan musicians called Musical Apostles;and Rhoden, oncea pupil of thelate 'High Priestess ofBach, Mme Rosalyn Tureck.