Support the Programs You Use on GPB

GPB's shortened spring 2009 membership campaign runs just a week, from Tuesday, April 28 to Monday, May 4. Support public broadcasting by calling 1-800-222-4788 or going to gpb.org and becoming a contributing member at any level. Ensure the availability of the music you love and the news you rely on on GPB.

If you'd like a thank-you gift as a token of our gratitude for your contribution, take your pick. They're all listed at gpb.org. Here let me just point out our new classical music gifts.

For a kid in your life, how about a beautifully illustrated retelling of Peter and the Wolf. This hardcover book and the accompanying CD tell of adventurous, resourceful Peter's exploits in rural Russia. It's narrated together with Sergei Prokofiev's tuneful music. Meet the instruments of the orchestra through the small-scale drama of Peter, his grandfather, the cat, the bird, the duck, the wolf and the hunters, in this colorful repackaging of a children's classic. Available at the $90 membership level.

Johann Sebastian Bach's Brandenburg Concertos are colorful, too, in the sonic sense. Bach wrote these varied, delightful six pieces on spec for a potential employer, but the real beneficiary is posterity. From the brilliant trumpet of the second concerto to the recorders of the fourth and and the violas of the sixth, each piece highlights a different instrument or instruments, and they're all great listening. This superlative new two-disc super-audio recording features the super Academy of Ancient Music, directed from the harpsichord by Richard Egarr. The group performs with just one player per part, baroque-style, and they play at an extra low, "French baroque" pitch, giving the sound a mellow richness. Update your collection or get your first Brandenburgs right here. (For more on this, check out YouTube.) Available at the $75 membership level and up.

Finally, in this new era we're all living through, we're pleased to offer Antonin Dvorak's beloved, beautiful "New World" Symphony - along with three other Dvorak symphonies (nos. 5, 7 and 8), two shorter orchestral pieces by Dvorak and, as a bonus, Smetana's Moldau. This much-praised three-CD set features conductor Mariss Jansons and the Oslo Philharmonic. Our gift to you, if you like, at the $100 level.

Or...can't choose? Join at the $250 level and we'll send you our Classical Combo: all three of the thank-you gifts above. That's a total of six discs and a book, with music of Prokofiev, Bach and Dvorak (plus a pinch of Smetana).

Public broadcasting relies on you. I look forward to hearing from you during GPB's spring drive, April 28-May 4. Thank you for your support at any level!

-Sarah

Tuesday, April 28: In addition to selections from the recordings above, we hear music from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, Strauss's Fledermaus Overture, Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 and more.

Wednesday, April 29: In addition to Bach and Dvorak from the sets described above, we hear Mendelssohn's D major string quartet (Op. 44/1), short selections from 17th century Venice by Storace and Uccellini, Mozart's Overture to Cosi fan tutte, Schubert's G-flat impromptu (Op. 90/3) and Haydn's Trumpet Concerto.

Thursday, April 30: More Bach Brandenburgs, Dvorak's Fifth, Glazunov's Mazurka-Oberek, Chabrier's Espana, Arensky's Piano Quintet, a couple of quick numbers from the Italian baroque, and the Strings & Threads Suite by Mark O'Connor for violin and guitar, featuring him and Sharon Isbin.

Friday, May 1: The customary Bach and Dvorak, plus...Strauss's Violin Sonata, Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus, Smetana's Moldau (stowing away with that Dvorak set), Palestrina's Osculetur Me and Chaminade's Flute Concertino.

Monday, May 4, last day of the spring drive: Yes, yet more fine Dvorak and Bach, plus Wagner's Tannhaueser Overture, Beethoven's "Pathetique" Piano Sonata, Liszt's Fantasy on a theme from The Ruins of Athens, Huang Zi's Plum Blossoms in the Snow, Bernstein's Candide Overture, Granados's Caress Waltz, Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola and Holst's First Suite. Thank you for your support!

Classical Concerts, April 28-May 3

Tuesday, April 28

  • The LaGrange Symphony, with conductor Patricio Cobos, offer popular pieces by Elgar, Rimsky-Korsakov and Strauss, and competition winner Matthew Allen soloes in Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations for cello and orchesta. 7:30, Callaway Auditorium, LaGrange College.
Wednesday, April 29
  • Sandersville United Methodist Church presents "Musical Praises," a free program of reflection, renewal and rejoicing (classical and contemporary standards) with cellist Ruth Berry and pianist Kevin Pollock. 6:30, Sandersville.
Thursday, April 30
  • The Augusta Symphony presents a "Music to the People" concert with outgoing music director Donald Portnoy. It's a program of Broadway and light classics, featuring principal trumpet James Ackley in Haydn's Trumpet Concerto. Tickets are moderately priced and all proceeds further the mission of the McCormick Arts Council. 7:30, McCormick County Elementary/Middle School Gym.
April 30 & May 2-3
  • Itzhak Perlman appears with the Atlanta Symphony conducting Schubert's Third Symphony and Brahms' Fourth and soloing in a Bach violin concerto. Symphony Hall, Atlanta. Sold out.
May 1-3

Friday, May 1
  • The Vega String Quartet plays Haydn, Beethoven and Mendelssohn at Emory University's Schwartz Center, Atlanta.
  • Georgia State University Opera Theatre and Symphony Orchestra presents Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites. Rialto Center, Atlanta.
Saturday, May 2
  • The Macon Symphony Orchestra, Macon State College Chorus and Middle Georgia Choral Society, all led by Adrian Gnam, perform The Planets by Gustav Holst. Also on the program: a Mozart overture and Chabrier's Espana. Grand Opera House, Macon.
  • Prizewinning organist Vincent Dubois plays Bach and more on the fine organ at Spivey Hall, Morrow.
Sunday, May 3
  • Acclaimed cellist Daniel Muller-Schott and pianist Angela Hewitt appear in Georgia as part of Spivey Hall's mini Bach festival. They play, yes, Bach at 3 p.m. Spivey Hall, Clayton State, Morrow.
  • The Macon Symphony's Porter Picnic Pops concert begans at 7 p.m. on the campus of Wesleyan College, Macon. Free.

Midday Music, Monday 4/27/09

11 AM

  • Telemann: Orchestral Suite in G major. La Stagione Frankfurt. CPO 999 994.
  • Beethoven: Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69. Daniel Muller-Schott, Angela Hewitt. Hyperion 67633.
  • Beethoven: Romance No. 2 in F for violin and orchestra. Itzhak Perlman, Berlin Phil, Barenboim. EMI 49567.
12 N
  • Duarte: Joan Baez Suite. Sharon Isbin. Sony 88697-45456.
  • Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme for cello and orchestra. Sol Gabetta, Munich Radio Orch, Rasilainen. RCA 75912.
  • Hahn: To Chloris. Sol Gabetta, Prague Phil, Olivieri-Munroe. RCA 359622.
  • Vali: Flute Concerto: finale. Alberto Almarza, Boston Modern Orch Project, Rose. Naxos 8.557224.
1 PM
  • Copland: The City, Suite. Eos Orch, Sheffer. Telarc 80583.
  • Ravel: Introduction and Allegro for two pianos. Giorgia Tomassi, Alessandro Stella. EMI 67051.
  • Pasculli: Grand Concerto on themes from Verdi's Sicilian Vespers. Quartetto Gelato. Marquis 81602.

Midday Music, Thursday 4/23/09

11 AM

  • Mozart: The Magic Flute, Overture. Lausanne Chamber Orch, Menuhin. Virgin 363284.
  • Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 3, "Pastoral"; Symphony No. 4, beginning. London Sym, Thomson. Chandos 9087-91.
12 N
  • Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor. Emmanuel Pahud, Berlin Baroque Soloists, Kussmaul. EMI 57111.
  • Interview with Eric Mitchko, the Atlanta Opera's director of artistic administration, about Wagner's The Flying Dutchman. The Atlanta Opera production runs April 25 & 28 and May 1 & 3 at the Cobb Energy Centre, Atlanta. Tickets through Ticketmaster.
  • Wagner: The Flying Dutchman, Overture. Cincinnati Sym, Lopez-Cobos. Telarc 80379.
  • Sarasate: Basque Caprice. Yossif Ivanov, Itamar Golan. Ambroisie 136.
  • Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1. BBC Scottish Sym, Maksymiuk. Naxos 8.550864.
1 PM
  • Grieg: Wedding Day at Troldhaugen. BBC Scottish Sym, Maksymiuk. Naxos 8.550864.
  • Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat. Zoltan Kocsis, Budapest Festival Orch, Fischer. Philips 422 380.

Classical Concerts, April 23-28

Thursday-Friday, April 23-24

  • Donald Runnicles leads the Atlanta Symphony in Mahler's "Tragic" Symphony No. 6. Symphony Hall, Atlanta.
April 25 and 28, May 1 and 3
  • The Atlanta Opera presents The Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner. Mark Delavan stars. Arthur Fagen conducts. Cobb Energy Center, Atlanta.
Saturday, April 25
  • Renowned flutist Emmanuel Pahud and harpsichordist Trevor Pinnock play an all-Bach program at UGA's Performing Arts Center in Athens.
  • The Atlanta Chamber Players' postponed program "Tour de Force," snowed out March 1, finally takes place. Poulenc, Beethoven, Korngold. Spivey Hall, Clayton State, Morrow.
  • The Georgia Philharmonic and guest violinist Jun Isawaki perform Goldmark's Violin Concerto. Philip Rice also conducts Beethoven and Vaughan Williams. Oglethorpe University, Atlanta.
Sunday, April 26
  • Renowned flutist Emmanuel Pahud, harpsichordist Trevor Pinnock and cellist Jonathan Manson play Bach sonatas and more at Spivey Hall, Clayton State, Morrow.
  • The Augusta Symphony presents the Greater Augusta Youth Orchestra and this year's concerto competition winners in concert at Augusta State's Maxwell Theatre, 3 p.m. Free.
Tuesday, April 28
  • The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra offers "Joys of Spring": popular selections by Rimsky-Korsakov, Elgar and Strauss, plus 2008 LSO Young Artists Competition winner Matthew Allen in Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations for cello and orchestra. Callaway Auditorium, LaGrange College.

Midday Music, Wednesday 4/22/09

11 AM

  • Poulenc: Trio for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon. Levine, Schellenberger, Turkovic. DG 427 639.
  • Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. David Russell. Telarc 80584.
  • Goldmark: Violin Concerto. Sarah Chang, Gurzenich Orch Cologne, Conlon. EMI 64319.
12 N
  • Debussy: La Mer. Philharmonia Orch, Simon. Cala 1024.
  • Rameau: Pieces de Clavecin en Concert No. 4. Pinnock, Podger, Manson. Channel 19098.
  • Brahms: Sonata in E-flat, Op. 120/2. Emmanuel Pahud, Yefim Bronfman. EMI 73708.
1 PM
  • Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Overture. Atlanta Sym, Spano. Telarc 80568.
  • Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring. Philharmonia Orch, Salonen. Sony 45796.

Midday Music, Tuesday 4/21/09

11 AM

  • Wagner: The Flying Dutchman, Overture. Cincinnati Sym, Lopez-Cobos. Telarc 80379.
  • Hindemith: Overture to The Flying Dutchman as Sightread by a Second-Rate Orchestra at the Village Well at 7 o'clock in the Morning. Leipzig String Quartet. MDG 307 1362.
  • Smetana: Souvenirs of Bohemia in Polka Form. Radoslav Kvapil. Calliope 9206.
  • Mozart: Concerto for Three Pianos in F major, K. 242, arr. two pianos. Leon Fleisher, Katherine Jacobson Fleisher, Stuttgart Chamber Orch.
12 N
  • Lully: Suite Italienne. Chatham Baroque. Dorian 90272.
  • Schumann: Symphony No. 4. Royal Concertgebouw Orch, Chailly. London 425 608.
  • Victoria: Vidi Speciosam. Stile Antico. Harmonia Mundi 807489.
1 PM
  • Mahler: Symphony No. 6, "Tragic": mvts 1-3. Atlanta Sym, Levi. Telarc 80444.

Midday Music, Monday 4/20/09

11 AM

  • Bach: Flute Sonata in E major, BWV 1035. Jean-Pierre Rampal, Trevor Pinnock, Roland Pidoux. CBS 39746.
  • Blanc: Septet for winds and strings, Op. 40. Consortium Classicum, Kloecker. Orgeo 282 921.
  • Ravel: Ma Mere l'Oye. Corona Guitar Quartet. Albany 1084.
12 N
  • Rachmaninoff: Trio Elegiaque in G minor, op. posth. Gina, Gary & Eugene Levinson. Cala 0507.
  • Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C major. German Chamber Phil, Jarvi. Sony 33835.
  • Mozart: Andante and Variations in G major, K. 501. Martha Argerich, Stephen Kovacevich. EMI 67051.
  • Janacek: Suite for String Orchestra (1877): Adagio; Andante. Virtuosi di Praga, Vlcek. Discover 929234.
1 PM
  • Chopin: Polonaise Brillante for cello and piano, Op. 3. Therese Motard, Louise-Andree Baril. Analekta 3142.
  • Suk: Serenade in E-flat for string orchestra, Op. 6. Virtuosi di Praga, Vlcek. Discover 929234.
  • Rautavaara: Isle of Bliss. Helsinki Phil, Segerstam. Ondine 881.

Classical Concerts, April 17-20, 2009

Friday, April 17

  • The Prairie Winds, a wind quintet from Chicago, perform at Augusta State's Maxwell Theatre, presented by the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society.
  • Acclaimed male vocal group Chanticleer performs a program of American music through time, "Wonderous Free," at Spivey Hall, Clayton State, Morrow.
  • Violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and guitarists Sergio and Odair Assad return to Athens to play Gypsy folk tunes, original compositions and music by Charlie Chaplin. UGA Performing Arts Center.
Saturday, April 18
  • Portnoy & Friends: The Finale. Outgoing long-time Augusta Stymphony maestro Donald Portnoy leads his final masterworks concert as music director of the Augusta Symphony. For the occasion he has invited back some of his favorite collaborators as soloists: violinist Vadim Gluzman, soprano Carol Sparrow and tenor Randolph Locke. Saint-Saens, Bizet, Puccini and more. First Baptist of Augusta.
  • The Columbus Symphony welcomes Finnish pianist Paavali Jumppanen as soloist in Johannes Brahms' mighty Piano Concerto No. 2. Also on the program: the joyful "Rhenish" Symphony (No. 3) by Brahms' friend and colleague Robert Schumann. George del Gobbo conducts. RiverCenter, Columbus.
  • Chanticleer performs at Spivey Hall again, a distinct show from Friday's. They call this kaleidoscopic program "Divine Tapestry - A Mass for All Time." Clayton State, Morrow.
Sunday, April 19
  • Bach to the Future is the Atlanta Symphony's latest family concert. Members of Platypus Theatre join conductor Jere Flint and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Symphony Hall, Atlanta. Two matinee performances.
Monday, April 20
  • The Robert McDuffie Center for Strings presents Trio RPM in a free concert of music for piano trio. Trio RPM is made of faculty members violinist Amy Schwartz Moretti, cellist Christopher Rex and pianist Elizabeth Pridgen. Fickling Hall, Music Building, Mercer University, Macon.

Midday Music, Thursday 4/16/09

11 AM

  • Andree: Piano Quintet in E minor (1865). Midsummer's Music. Centaur 2448.
  • Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488. Leon Fleisher, Stuttgart Chamber Orch. Sony 435052.
  • Persichetti: Pastoral. Prairie Winds. Albany 401.
12 N
  • Schumann: "Rhenish" Symphony (No. 3 in E-flat). Cleveland Orch, Dohnanyi. London 421 643.
  • Victoria: Alma Redemptoris Mater. Chanticleer. Teldec 49702.
  • Tchaikovsky: Souvenir d'un lieu cher. Vadim Gluzman, Bergen Phil, Litton. BIS 1432.
1 PM
  • Assad: Andalucia. Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Sergio & Odair Assad. Nonesuch 79505.
  • Pletnev: Fantasia Elvetica for piano duo and orchestra. Martha Argerich, Alexander Mogilevsky, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Pletnev. EMI 67051.
  • Roncalli: Capricci Armonici (1692): Guitar Sonata No. 1 in G major. Richard Savino. Dorian 90804.

Midday Music, Wednesday 4/15/09

11 AM

  • Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major. Nikolaj Znaider, Vienna Phil, Gergiev. RCA 10336,
  • Bach: Italian Concerto, BWV 971. Christophe Rousset. L'Oiseau-Lyre 433 054.
12 N
  • Borodin: Prince Igor, Overture. Russian National Orch, Pletnev. DV 439 892.
  • Arensky: Piano Quintet. Lilya Zilberstein, Dora Schwarzberg et al. EMI 67051.
  • Vivaldi: Viola D'amore Concerto in A major, RV 396. Catherine Mackintosh, Orch of the Age of Enlightenment. Hyperion 66795.
  • Assad: Gypsy Songs. Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Sergio & Odair Assad. Nonesuch 79505.
1 PM
  • Morley: First Book of Consort Lessons: selections. Corona Guitar Kvartet. Albany 1084.
  • MacDowell: Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor. Seta Tanyel, BBC Scottish Sym, Brabbins. Hyperion 67165.
  • Sierra: Flute Sonata No. 1. Linda Chatterton, John Jensen. LC8032.
  • Piazzolla: Fuga y Misterio; Zita. Corona Guitar Kvartet. Albany 1084.

Midday Music, Monday 4/13/09

Note: For details on editions of Midday Music hosted out of our member station in Savannah, please consult WSVH's playlists. Thanks for stopping by.

11 AM

  • Bach: Easter Oratorio, "Kommt, eilet und laufet," BWV 249. Taverner Consort and Players, Van Evera, Trevor, Daniels, Kooy, Parrott. Virgin 62068.
  • Kuhlau: Elverhoj, Overture. Danish National Radio Sym, Frandsen. DaCapo 224020.
  • Sousa: Easter Monday on the White House Lawn. USAF Heritage of America Band, Graham. Klavier 11131.
12 N
  • Three 16th century settings from The Song of Songs: Jacob Clemens non Papa: Ego flos campi (I am a flower of the field); Francisco Guerrero: Surge, propera amica mea (Arise, my love); Orlando di Lasso: Veni, delicte mi (Come, my beloved). Stile Antico. Harmonia Mundi 807489.
  • Biber: The Five Glorious Mysteries: The Resurrection. John Holloway, Tragicomedia Ensemble. Virgin 90838.
  • Schumann: Piano Quartet in E-flat, Op. 47. Argerich, Capucon, Chen, Capucon. EMI 89241.
1 PM
  • Pachelbel: Easter Cantata "Halleluja! Lobet den Herrn." La Cappella Ducale, Musica Fiata, Wilson. CPO 999 916.
  • Wagner: Siegfried: Forest Murmurs. Met Orch, Levine. DG 447 764.
  • Mahler: Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection": middle movements. Vienna Phil, Michelle DeYoung, Boulez. DG 6684.

Midday Music, Tuesday 4/7/09

11 AM

  • Grechaninov: Passion Week: Parts 12-13. Phoenix Bach Choir, Kansas City Chorale, Bruffy. Chandos 5044.
  • Grechaninov: Cello Sonata in E minor. Members of Moscow Rachmaninov Trio. Hyperion 67295.
  • Elgar: In the South (Alassio). London Phil, Solti. London 443 856.
12 N
  • Buxtehude: Membra Jesu nostri: Ad cor; Ad faciem. Cantus Cologne, Junghanel. Harmonia Mundi 901912.
  • Bach: Solo Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor. Steven Isserlis. Hyperion 67541/2.
  • Turina: Piano Quartet in A minor, Op. 67. Ames Piano Quartet. Albany 1052.
  • Salieri: De profundis clamavit. WDR Radio Chorus and Orch, Froschauer. Phoenix 112.
1 PM
  • Kozeluch: Moses in Egypt, or the Liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian Servitude (oratorio): selections. Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert, soloists, Max.
  • Strauss: Suite for 13 Wind Instruments, Op. 4. Minnesota Orch, de Waart. Virgin 61142.

This Week's Classical Music on GPB

A quick note about Midday Music hosts. I'm in the hot seat here in Atlanta only this Monday and Tuesday. For the rest of the week, GPB's network edition of Midday Music will be in the capable hands of Russell Wells and Eric Nauert from WSVH Savannah. Their playlists, as always, are posted here.

But please do join me Thursday night at 9 (or Sunday night at 10) for The ASO on GPB. Violinist Joshua Bell is soloist in Samuel Barber's exquisite Violin Concerto. Also on the program, Robert Spano leads the Atlanta Symphony in Copland's Suite from Appalachian Spring and Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra, composed in New York and premiered in Boston. It's an "American Originals" concert recorded last November in Atlanta. (Pictured: Joshua Bell and Sarah Zaslaw.)

Looking ahead, I wish you a happy Easter or Passover or weekend, as the case may be, and I'll be back next Monday. - Sarah

Midday Music, Monday 4/6/09

11 AM

  • Beethoven: "Pastorale" Symphony (No. 6 in F major). Tonhalle Orch Zurich, Zinman. Arte Nova 49695.
  • Schmitt: Symphony in D major, Op. 1/1. New Dutch Academy Chamber Orch, Murphy. PentaTone 5186 039.
12 N
  • Grechaninov: Passion Week: Nos. 1-3. Phoenix Bach Choir, Kansas City Chorale, Bruffy. Chandos 5044.
  • Golijov: Tenebrae. Kronos Quartet. DG 9069.
  • Wassenaer: Concerto Armonico No. 4. Combattimento Consort Amsterdam, de Vriend. NM 92030.
  • Roussel: Suite in F. Royal Scottish National Orch, Deneve. Naxos 8.570529.
1 PM
  • Enescu: Violin Sonata "in Romanian folk style" (No. 3 in A minor). Leonidas Kavakos, Peter Nagy. ECM 1824.
  • Porter: Allegro Appassionato. Fritz Gearhart, John Owings. Koch 7439.
  • Handel: Organ Concerto in B-flat, Op. 7/1. Ton Koopman, Amsterdam Baroque Orch. Erato 88136.

Midday Music, Thursday 4/2/09

11 AM

  • Bach: Organ Piece in G major, BWV 572, on viols. Fretwork. Harmonia Mundi 907395.
  • Schubert: Song of the Spirits over the Waters (poem by Goethe). Monteverdi Choir, Vienna Phil, Gardiner. DG 289 457 648.
  • Theofanidis: Rainbow Body. Atlanta Sym, Spano. Telarc 80596.
  • Rosheger: Good Luck Waltz (written for David Russell). David Russell. Telarc 80707.
  • Schoenfield: Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano (klezmer-influenced). Neidich, Polyakin, Renzi. Innova 544.
12 N
  • Orff: Carmina Burana: O Fortuna. Boston Pops, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Williams. Sony 89434.
  • Stenhammar: Serenade for Orchestra. Gothenburg Sym, Jarvi. DG 445 857.
  • Weber: Concert Piece in F minor, Op. 79. Nikolai Demidenko, Scottish Chamber Orch, Mackerras. Hyperion 66729.
  • Bach: Wir glaueben all an einen Gott, BWV 680, on viols. Fretwork. Harmonia Mundi 907395.
1 PM
  • Bazzini: Dance of the Goblins. James Ehnes, Eduard Laurel. Onyx 4038, Homage (winner of Juno Award for classical recording of the year).
  • Beethoven: "Ghost" Trio in D major, Op. 70/1. Kempff, Szeryng, Fournier. DG 415 879.
  • O'Connor: Strings & Threads Suite. Mark O'Connor, Sharon Isbin. Sony 8869745456.

Classical Concerts, April 1-5, 2009

Wednesday, April 1

  • Mozart's Clarinet Quintet and Schnittke's Piano Quintet make up the program of Sensations V at the Savannah Music Festival. Savannah.
April 2-5
  • Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony perform Gershwin's Concerto in F (with pianist Marcus Roberts), Barber's Second Essay for Orchestra and the world premiere of Symphony 2009 by Christopher Theofanidis. Thursday through Saturday in Atlanta; Sunday as the Savannah Music Festival finale in Savannah.
Friday, April 3
  • The Savannah Music Festival's Sensations VI concert includes clarinet trios by Brahms and Schoenfield and a Schubert fantasy. Savannah.
Saturday, April 4
  • The Albany Symphony and Claire Fox Hillard perform Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto (with pianist Jeong Won Suh), music from Weber's (not Puccini's) Turandot, and Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Weber. Albany.
  • Spivey Hall organist-in-residence Richard Morris performs, 3 p.m., Spivey Hall, Morrow.
  • Renowned guitarist David Russell is in recital, 8 p.m., Spivey Hall, Morrow.
  • Orff's Carmina Burana is in Kennesaw, with the Cobb Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Also on the program: Mendelssohn's "Italian" Symphony. Saturday 8 p.m.; repeats Sunday 3 p.m.
  • Soprano Anne-Carolyn Bird, now a Met star, returns to her alma mater for a recital. University of Georgia Performing Arts Center, Athens.
Sunday, April 5
  • The Atlanta Symphony is in Savannah (see April 2-5 above).
  • The Cobb Symphony gives a repeat matinee performance in Kennesaw (see Saturday above).

Midday Music, Wednesday 4/1/09









All but two of today's recordings are new, and over half the music is contemporary. Living on the cutting edge...

11 AM

  • Anonymous/Dowland/Johnson: Four Renaissance Lute Works. Sharon Isbin. Sony 8869745456, Journey to the New World.
  • Haydn: Symphony No. 41 in C major. Cologne Chamber Orch, Muller-Bruhl. Naxos 8.557092.
  • Mendelssohn: Violin Sonata in F major (1838). Uri Pianka, Timothy Hester. Romeo 7272.
12 N
  • Roberto Sierra: Fandangos. Sinfonia da Camera, Hobson. Albany 1078, Souvenirs.
  • Reinecke: Trio in A minor for oboe, horn and piano, Op. 188. Dallas Chamber Players. Klavier 11050.
  • Tsintsadze: Miniatures. Lisa Batiashvili, Georgian Chamber Orch. Sony BMG 88697334002, Beethoven Violin Concerto & Tsintsadze Miniatures.
  • Adams: Put Your Loving Arms Around Me, from Gnarly Buttons. Michael Collins, London Sinfonietta, Adams. Nonesuch 512396-2, Hallelujah Junction.
1 PM
  • Gorecki: Symphony of Sorrowful Songs (Symphony No. 3). Atlanta Sym Orch, Christine Brewer, Donald Runnicles. Telarc 80699, Symphony No. 3.