Wednesday, September 25
Three cheers for American soprano Dawn Upshaw! Yesterday she was named a fellow of the MacArthur Foundation. As the announcement of her "genius grant" noted, "She has become a catalyst for the creation of numerous works through her passionate advocacy of contemporary composers, both established and emerging," and "Through her performances, award-winning recordings, teaching, and commissions, Upshaw is breaking down stylistic barriers and forging a new model of a performer who is directly involved in the creation of contemporary music." Here's an example with a Georgia connection: Dawn Upshaw has collaborated in recordings with Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony of new music by Osvaldo Golijov.
In the noon hour we hear Upshaw and the ASO in parts of Golijov's Ainadamar and Three Songs. Today happens to be the 50th anniversary of West Side Story and the birthday of George Gershwin, and we note both those American milestones too. (Tomorrow Midday Music marks the new ASO concert season with more Golijov: listen for the ASO's new recording of Oceana.)
11 AM
- Ries: Introduction and Polonaise, Op. 174. Hinterhuber, Gavle Sym, Grodd (Naxos 8.557844)
- Beethoven: "Archduke" Piano Trio in B-flat, Op. 97. Chung Trio (EMI 81751)
- Tchaikovsky: Andante Cantabile, Op. 11. Han-Na Chang, Orch of the Natl Acad of Santa Cecilia, Pappano (EMI 82390)
- Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat for violin and viola, K. 364. Daniel Majeske, Robert Vernon, Cleveland Orch, Dohnanyi (London 443 175)
- Golijov: Ainadamar:"Mariana, tus ojos." Dawn Upshaw, Jessica Rivera, Atlanta Sym Orch & Chorus, Spano (DG 6429)
- Golijov: Three Songs: "Lua descolorida." Dawn Upshaw, Atlanta Sym, Spano.
- Bernstein/Brohn: West Side Story Suite. Joshua Bell, Philharmonia Orch, Zinman (Sony 89358)
- Amram: American Dance Suite: Blues. Manhattan Chamber Orch, Clark (Newport 85546)
- Gershwin: An American in Paris. Cincinnati Pops, Kunzel (Telarc 80542)
