Thursday, January 31
Today I speak with Douglas Hooker. Born in Moultrie and a long-time resident of Atlanta, Doug has an impressive career as engineer and leader. So why is he on Midday Music? Well, he has taken up composing on the side. The DeKalb Symphony premiered his first composition a couple of years ago, and on Tuesday, February 5 the LaGrange Symphony will give it its second performance (after voting in Georgia's Super Tuesday primary, presumably). Tune in to GPB Radio or gpb.org around 1:20 today to hear Douglas Hooker talk about the origin of his Sinai Symphony - it all begain with a starlit, camel-aided climb up Mount Sinai in 1990 - and about how a grandfather with no formal musical training since high school accidentally ended up a performed composer.
For this weekend's Georgia concert lists, please see the post a couple of entries below. For Friday playlists, see Alan Cooke's blog.
11 AM
- Schmitt: "Hurdy Gurdy" Symphony in E-flat minor. New Dutch Academy Chamber Orch, Murphy. PentaTone 5186 039.
- Schubert: "Trout" Quintet. Leopold String Trio, Paul Lewis, Graham Mitchell. Hyperion 67527.
- Handel: Concerto Grosso in A major, Op. 6/11. Boston Baroque, Pearlman. Telarc 80688.
- Urcullu: Theme and Variations, Op. 10. Eugenio Tobalina. Naos 8.570715.
- Melcer: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor. Jonathan Plowright, BBC Scottish Sym, Konig.
- Hovhaness: "Mysterious Mountain" Symphony, Op. 132. Cincinati Sym, Lopez-Cobos. Telarc 80462.
- Khatchaturian: Spartacus, Ballet Suite No. 3. Scottish National Orch, Jarvi. Chandos 8927.
