Playlist for Thursday, July 31

Cross the classic jam band The Grateful Dead with classically trained LaGrange composer Lee Johnson and what do you get? The "Dead" Symphony - an orchestral tribute to the Grateful Dead. The Baltimore Symphony gives its world premiere tomorrow, Friday, August 1, on the 66th birth anniversary of late bandmember Jerry Garcia. On GPB, hear my chat with Lee Johnson plus parts of his "Dead Symphony," right after the noon news. (NPR's Scott Simon recently spoke with Lee Johnson too; check that out.)

11 AM

  • Chopin: Fantasy-Impromptu, Op. 66. Jon Nakamatsu. Harmonia Mundi 907244.
  • Schubert: Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat, Op. 99. Storioni Trio. PentaTone 050.
  • Sullivan: Overture di Ballo. Royal Liverpool Phil, Groves. EMI 64726.
12 N
  • Lee Johnson: Dead Symphony No. 6: excerpts. Russian National Orch, Johnson. OMI 0635.
  • Joplin: Swipesy. Benjamin Loeb. Naxos 8.559277.
  • Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez. Sharon Isbin, New York Phil, Serebrier. Warner 60296.
  • Kodaly: Dances of Marosszek. Budapest Festival Orch, Fischer. Philips 462 824.
1 PM
  • Massenet: Meditation from Thais. Nicola Benedetti, London Sym, Harding. DG 987 057.
  • Schumann: Piano Quartet in E-flat. Rabinovitch, Schwartzberg, Imai, Gutman. EMI 55484.
  • Rossini: William Tell, Overture. Montreal Sym, Dutoit. London 433 074.

Playlist for Wednesday, July 30

11 AM

  • Farrenc: Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano in E-flat. Engerer, Guyot, Salque. Naive 5033.
  • Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier, Suite. Houston Sym, Eschenbach. RCA 59408.
12 N
  • Bencini: Ave Maria. A Sei Voici, Fabre-Garrus. Naive 8892.
  • Jobim: Jardim Abandonado; Milagres e Palhacos. Guettel: Octet. Sergio & Odair Assad. Nonesuch 278140.
  • Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3. Earl Wild, Royal Phil, Horenstein. Chandos 8521/2.
  • Debussy: Suite Bergamasque: Passepied. Sergio & Odair Assad. Nonesuch 278140.
1 PM
  • Telemann: Overture in C minor. Berlin Baroque Soloists, Kussmaul. DG 5761.
  • Ravel: Miroirs. Jean-Yves Thibaudet. London 433 515.
  • Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Overture. Atlanta Sym, Levi. Telarc 80551.

Playlist for Tuesday, July 29

11 AM

  • Brahms: Tragic Overture arr. four-hands piano. Matthies, Kohn. Naxos 8.554117.
  • Brahms: Sextet No. 2 in G major arr. string orchestra. NES Chamber Orch, Sitkovetsky. Nonesuch 79545.
12 N
  • Sowash: Daweswood: The Bud, the Blossom and the Berry. Mirecourt Trio, Olzenak. Gasparo 285.
  • Rimsky-Korsakov: "Antar" Symphony (Symphony No. 2). State Sym Orch of Russia, Svetlanov. RCA 62558.
  • Phalese: Two gaillards and an alemande. Baltimore Consort. Dorian
1 PM
  • Purcell: Fantasias in Four Parts, Nos. 10-12. Hesperion XX, Savall. Alia Vox 9859.
  • Bach: English Suite No. 6 in D minor. Angela Hewitt. Hyperion 67541/2.
  • Mendelssohn/Liszt: On Wings of Song. Bertrand Chamayou. Naive 5131.

Playlist for Monday, July 28

Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer Norman Dello Joio passed away Thursday at age 95. In his honor, Midday Music concludes with his Trio as performed by the Atlanta Chamber Players. For more on Norman Dello Joio, please visit his website or read his New York Times obituary.

11 AM

  • Smetana: The Bartered Bride, Overture. Janacek Phil, Kuchar. Brilliant 93634.
  • Casasdesus: Violin Sonata No. 2 (1941). Fritz Gearhart, John Owings. Koch 7528.
  • Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat, K. 595. Murray Perahia, Chamber Orch of Europe. Sony 63380.
12 N
  • Mendelssohn: Prelude in B minor, Op. 104a/2; Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 15. Bertrand Chamayou. Naive 5131.
  • Purcell: Three Fantasias in Three Parts. Hesperion XX, Savall. Alia Vox 9859.
  • Tavener: Song for Athene. Santa Cecilia National Academy Chorus, Gabbiano. DG 289 459 146.
  • Crusell: Sinfonia Concertante for clarinet, bassoon, horn and orchestra. Korsimaa-Hursti, Hara, Lanzky-Otto, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Vanska. BIS 495.

1 PM
  • Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 1 in E-flat. Frankfurt Radio Sym Orch, Inbal. PentaTone 5186 157.
  • Dello Joio: Trio for flute, cello and piano. Atlanta Chamber Players (Christina Smith, Brad Ritchie, Paula Peace). MSR 1190.

Playlist for Thursday, July 24

11 AM

  • Mozart: The Impresario, Overture. Lausanne Chamber Orch, Menuhin. Virgin 363284.
  • Alkan: Concerto for Solo Piano. Marc-Andre Hamelin. Hyperion 67569.
12 N
  • Villa-Lobos: Prelude No. 1 in E minor. David Russell. Telarc 80672.
  • Sainz de la Maza: Campanas del Alba. David Russell. Telarc 80672.
  • Cui: Piano Preludes Nos. 1-3. Jeffrey Biegel. Naxos 8.555557.
  • Mendelssohn: "Italian" Symphony (Symphony No. 4). London Sym Orch, Wordsworth. Virgin 391372.
  • Dvorak/Kreisler: Two Slavonic Dances. Catherine Manoukian, Akira Eguchi. Marquis 81215.
1 PM
  • Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks. London Classical Players, Norrington. Virgin 3913334.
  • Finzi: Eclogue for piano and strings. Peter Donohoe, Northern Sinfonia, Griffiths. Naxos 8.555766.
  • Wagner: Siegfried Idyll. Lausanne Chamber Orch, Lopez-Cobos. Denon 78764.

Playlist for Wednesday, July 23

Not to dampen your summer fun, but we've got a couple of real downers today.

The painting at left, The Isle of the Dead by Arnold Boecklin, inspired Sergei Rachmaninoff's piece of the same title, which we hear in the first hour of Midday Music. The music begins and ends with the repeating heavy, low pulses of Charon's oars as he ferries the newly deceased across the River Styx.

For The Wood Dove, Antonin Dvorak took inspiration from Czech folklore. A woman murders her husband. She remarries. But she imagines the plaintive sound of the wood dove to be the voice of her first husband. The guilt drives her around the bend. She kills herself. Again, not a super cheerful scenario: two funeral marches with a wedding and some chirping in between.

Enjoy! ;)

11 AM

  • Chopin: Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-flat, Op. 61. Richard Goode. Nonesuch 79452.
  • Davidoff: Cello Concerto No. 1 in B minor, Op. 5. Wen-Sinn Yang, Latvian National Sym, Mikkelsen. CPO 777 263.
  • Rachmaninoff: The Isle of the Dead. Royal Phil Orch, Litton. Virgin 90830.
12 N
  • Saint-Saens: Fantaisie for flute and harp, Op. 124. Renie Yamahata, Angela Jones. Discover 920281.
  • Palestrina: Alma Redemptoris. Voices of Ascension, Keene. Delos 3179.
  • Haydn: Piano Concerto in G major. Mikhail Pletnev, German Chamber Phil. Virgin 61881.
  • Ravel: Sonatine. Lise de la Salle. Naive 4936.
1 PM
  • Wagenseil: Symphony for Six Parts in A major. Stuttgart Chamber Orch, Goritzki. CPO 777 112.
  • Dvorak: The Wild Dove (Holoubek), Op. 110. Netherlands Phil Orch, Kreizberg. PentaTone 5186 065.
  • Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 2. Christopher Krueger, Boston Baroque, Pearlman. Telarc 80619.

Playlist for Tuesday, July 22

11 AM

  • Avshalomov: Four Biblical Tableaux. Berlin Radio Sym, Schwarz. Naxos 8.559426.
  • Granados: The Ghost's Serenade, from Goyescas: Young Men in Love. Eric Parkin. Chandos 9412.
  • Glazunov: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat. Royal Scottish National Orch, Serebrier. Warner 61434.
12 N
  • Schubert: Stabat Mater in G minor, D. 175. Immortal Bach Ensemble, Leipzig Chamber Orch, Schuldt-Jensen. Naxos 8.570381.
  • Beethoven: "Ghost" Trio in D major, Op. 70/1. Borodin Trio. Chandos 9296.
  • Telemann: Concerto in A minor for recorder, viola da gamba and strings. Pehrsson, Larsson, Drittningholm Baroque Ens, Sparf. BIS 617.
  • Anonymous (Italy, 13th c.): Istampitta: Saltarello II. Hesperion XXI, Savall. Alia Vox 9848.
1 PM
  • Anonymous (Italy, 13th c.): Istampitta In Pro. Hesperion XXI, Savall. Alia Vox 9848.
  • Maslanka: A Child's Garden of Dreams. Dallas Wind Sym, Junkin. Reference 108.
  • Secunda/Cohen: Bei mir bist du schoen. Quartet San Francisco. JCCD105 (Whirled Chamber Music).

Playlist for Monday, July 21

Hi again. Many thanks to co-hosts Eric Nauert, Russell Wells and Alan Cooke for hosting while I was in Ithaca, New York, enjoying such scenic spots as Buttermilk Falls State Park (right). Fine as the trip was, it's good to be back with you and the music on GPB.

11 AM

  • Falla: Ritual Fire Dance. Montreal Sym, Dutoit. London 452 500.
  • Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D, K. 218. Maxim Vengerov, UBS Verbier Festival Chamber Orch. EMI 78374.
  • Medtner: Piano Quintet in C major, op. post. Dmitri Alexeev, New Budapest Quartet. Hyperion 66744.
12 N
  • Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme. Mstislav Rostropovich, Royal Concertgebouw Orch, Kondrashin (live 1977). RCO 06004.
  • Arnold: Wind Quintet, Op. 2. East Winds. Naxos 8.570294.
  • Rameau: Le Rappel des Oiseaux. Dmitry Paperno. Cedille 074.
  • Susato/Dunnigan: The Danserye (1551). University of Texas Wind Ensemble, Junkin. Reference 104.
1 PM
  • Elgar: Symphony No. 1 in A-flat, Op. 55. London Philharmonic Orch, Solti. London 443 856.

Playlist for Thursday, July 10

Alan Cooke hosts Friday Requests from WACG Augusta this week and next. Between those two dates however, Midday Music comes to you from WSVH Savannah, with Eric Nauert and Russell Wells holding down the fort. I'll be back July 21. Happy trails till then.

11 AM

  • Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet: Dance with Mandolins. Berlin Phil, Abbado. DG 289 453 439.
  • Haydn: "Emperor" String Quartet in C major, Op. 76/3. Takacs String Quartet. London 421 360.
  • Lajtha: Cello Sonata (1932). Peter Szabo, Denes Varjon. Hungaroton 31552.
  • Danielpour: Urban Dances: Finale. Philharmonia Orch, Macal. Sony 60779.
12 N
  • Wagner: Prelude to Act 3 of Lohengrin. Philadelphia Orch, Thielemann. DG 289 453 485.
  • Raff: Duo on Themes from Wagner's Lohengrin. Livia Sohn, Benjamin Loeb. Naxos 8.570202.
  • Barber: Violin Concerto. Robert McDuffie, Atlanta Sym, Levi. Telarc 80441.
  • Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture. Russian National Orch, Pletnev. DG 477 053.
1 PM
  • Schein: Suite No. 14 for Five Viols, from Banchetto Musicale. Sax Cordae Consort of Viols. Centaur 2357.
  • Beethoven: "Pathetique" Piano Sonata in C minor, Op. 13. Angela Hewitt. Hyperion 67605.
  • Schumann: Concert Piece for Four Horns and Orchestra. Philharmonia Orch, Thielemann. DG 453 482.

Playlist for Wednesday, July 9

11 AM

  • Chaminade: Arabesque. Peter Jacobs. Hyperion 66846.
  • Sammartini, G.B.: Sinfonia in A major. Accademia d'Arcadia, Lurig. Brilliant 93610.
  • Mozart: String Quartet in G major, K. 387. Cleveland Quartet.
  • Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin: Waltz. Cincinnati Pops Orch, Kunzel. Telarc 80541.
12 N
  • Orekhov: Troika Variations. Artyom Dervoed. Naxos 8.570447.
  • Torelli: Trumpet Concerto: Allegro, arr. brass quintet. Paramount Brass. Centaur 2355.
  • Balakirev: Islamey, Oriental Fantasy. Yefim Bronfman. Sony 60689.
  • Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor. Tonhalle Orch Zurich, Zinman. Arte Nova 49685.
1 PM
  • Faure: Berceuse. Gil Shaham, Akira Eguchi. Canary 03.
  • Albeniz: Fete-Dieu a Seville. Cincinnati Pops,Kunzel. Telarc 80703.
  • Martinu: Concerto for Flute, Violin and Orchestra. Thomsen, Matousek, Czech Phil, Hogwood. Hyperion 67671.
  • Brahms: Intermezzi, Op. 117. Nicholas Angelich. Virgin 379302.

Playlist for Tuesday, July 8

Not the most obvious pair of influences, but Ernest Bloch's dual inspirations in writing his Violin Concerto were (1) Indian songs he heard on a visit to New Mexico and (2) "the complex, glowing, agitated soul" he felt "vibrating through the Bible." The Swiss composer's Indian-biblical concerto concludes today's show.

11 AM

  • Mozart: String Quintet in C major, K. 515. Takacs Quartet, Koromzay. Hungaraton 12656.
  • Hartmann, J.P.E.: Correggio. Danish National Sym, Dausgaard. DaCapo 8.226061.
  • Debussy: Premiere Rhapsodie. James Campbell, Philharmonia Orch, Simon. Cala 1025.
12 N
  • Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor. Nikolaj Znaider, Israel Phil Orch, Mehta. RCA 69216.
  • Handel: Trio Sonata in G minor, Op. 2/2. London Baroque. Harmonia Mundi 901379.
  • Poulenc: Sextet for Piano and Winds. Ralf Gothoni, Wind Quintet of the Danish National Sym. Naxos 8.557356.
1 PM
  • Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Simon Preston. DG 427 668.
  • Bloch: Violin Concerto (1938). Zina Schiff, Royal Scottish National Orch, Serebrier. Naxos 8.557757.

Playlist for Monday, July 7

11 AM

  • Telemann: Concerto in D for Two Horns. La Stagione Frankfurt, Schneider. CPO 777 267.
  • Chopin: Three Mazurkas. Ingrid Fliter. EMI 148992.
  • Field: Piano Concerto No. 6 in C. Miceal O'Rourke, London Mozart Players, Bamert. Chandos 9442.
12 N
  • Berlioz: Te Deum: March for the Presentation of Colors. Frankfurt Radio Sym, Inbal. Denon 81757 6142.
  • Haydn: Symphony No. 63, "La Roxelane." Orpheus Chamber Orch.
  • Tchaikovsky: Dumka, Russian Rustic Scene, Op. 59. Christoph Eschenbach. Ondine 1131.
  • Grieg: Holberg Suite. Oslo Camerata, Barratt-Due. Naxos 8.557890.
1 PM
  • Schuman, W.: Newsreel (1943). Milwaukee Sym, Foss. Pro Arte 102.
  • Mozart: Serenata Notturna (Serenade No. 6 in D), K. 239. PRague Chamber Orch, Mackerras.
  • Beethoven: String Quartet No. 5 in A, Op. 18/5. Cleveland Quartet. Telarc 80414.

Playlist for Thursday, July 3

You know the vaguely Mozartean theme from Performance Today? Remember the distinctive the All Things Considered theme? The theme for NPR's Morning Edition?

If you listen to much GPB, you've heard music or arrangements by Jim Pugh. Well, Pugh ("Pew") also composes music longer than 60-second radio "billboards." In addition to that, he's an award-winning trombonist who has toured with Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble and Steely Dan. We'll have evidence of James Pugh's talents at the end of today's show, when he soloes in his own Trombone Concerto.

A couple of notes: Tonight at 8:00 join me for The ASO on GPB, featuring guest conductor Hans Graf and pianist Ingrid Fliter with the Atlanta Symphony in Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff. Tomorrow, Friday the Fouth, Alan Cooke offers an upbeat Independence Day edition of Midday Music at 11:00. Friday Requests will be back next week. Happy holiday! - Sarah

11 AM

  • Boccherini: String Quintet in D major, Op. 29/1. Kuijken, Stuurop, van Dael, Bylsma, Kuijken. Sony 63190.
  • Popper: Requiem for three cellos and orchestra. Maria Kliegel et al. , Esterhazy Sinfonia, Markson. Naxos 8.554657.
  • Handel: Organ Concerto in F major, Op. 4/6. Bob van Asperen, Orch of the Age of Enlightenment. Virgin 45174.
  • Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba, ballet suite: Dream of Solomon; Dance of Belkis at Dawn. Philharmonia Orch, Simon. Chandos 8405.
12 N
  • Smetana: Hakon Jarl. Janacek Phil, Kuchar. Brilliant 93634.
  • Haydn: Piano Sonata No. 62 in E-flat. Mikhail Pletnev. Virgin 61881.
  • Moscheles: Concertante in F for flute, oboe and orchestra. Grauwels, Van den Hauwe, Belgian Radio Sym, Vandernoot. Naxos 8.555977.
1 PM
  • Matteis: Suite in C major. Arcadian Academy, McGegan. Harmonia Mundi 907067.
  • Bruckner: Overture in G minor. French Radio Phil Orch, Janowski. Virgin 91206.
  • Enescu: Legend for trumpet and piano. Hakan Hardenberger, Leif Ove Andsnes. EMI 56760.
  • Pugh: Trombone Concerto (1992). James Pugh, Colorado Sym, Tyzik. Albany 926.

Playlist for Wednesday, July 2

11 AM

  • Handel: Recorder Sonata in F major, HWV 369. Amarillis. Naive/Ambroisie 9910.
  • Field: Nocturne No. 1 in E-flat. John O'Conor. Telarc 80199.
  • Sullivan: The Tempest, Incidental Music. Kansas City Sym, Stern. Reference 115.
  • Rachmaninoff: Elegiac Trio No. 1 in G minor. Bekova Sisters. Chandos 9329.
12 N
  • Gershwin: Rialto Ripples Rag. William Tritt, Cincinnati Pops, Kunzel. Telarc 80166.
  • Rimsky-Korsakov: Dubinushka. London Sym Orch, Jarvi. Chandos 8783.
  • Stanford: Piano Concerto No. 1 in G major. Piers Lane, BBC Scottish Sym, Brabbins. Hyperion 66820.
  • Chen Yi: Shuo. Ying Quartet. Telarc 80690.
1 PM
  • Villa Lobos: Concerto Grosso for Wind Quartet and Wind Orchestra. "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band, Serebrier. Naxos 8.570727.
  • Saint-Saens: Piano Quintet in A minor. Musique Oblique Ensemble. Harmonia Mundi 901472.

Tuesday, August 1

11 AM

  • Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, "Pathetique." Philadelphia Orch, Eschenbach. Ondine 1131.
  • Tchaikovsky: Melodrama. Moscow Chamber Orch, Orbelian. Delos 3244.
12 N
  • Ravel: Bolero. Cincinnati Pops Orch, Kunzel. Telarc 80703.
  • Lecuona: Afro-Cuban Dances. Thomas Tirino. BIS 794.
  • Haydn: "The Clock," Symphony No. 101. Hanover Band, Goodman. Hyperion 66528.
1 PM
  • Saint-Saens: Tarantella.
  • Dohnanyi: Violin Concerto No. 1 in D minor. Michael Ludwig, Royal Scottish National Orch, Falletta. Naxos 8.570833.