Thursday, February 25

If you heard me mention a Georgia concert of interest in connection with one of these pieces and want the full scoop, please check out the links in the February calendar below. Friday's Midday Music will come to you from GPB's Savannah station WSVH, as usual. Enjoy, and see you on Monday.

11 AM
  • Telemann: Violin Concerto in A major, "The Frogs" (Die Relinge). Pavlo Beznosiuk, New London Consort, Pickett. Decca 455 621.
  • Harbison: Songs America Loves to Sing (2004). Atlanta Chamber Players. MSR 1190.
  • Milhaud: Le Boeuf sur le Toit (The Bull on the Roof). National Orch of Lille, Casadesus. Naxos 8.557287.
12 N
  • Philidor: Sonata in D minor. Robert Stallman, Edwin Swanborn, Karl Bennion. Bogner's Cafe 104.
  • Golijov: Air to Air: Aiini Taqtiru (My Eyes Weep). Silk Road Ensemble. World Village 468095.
  • Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture. London Sym, Wordsworth. Virgin 391372.
  • Dvorak: String Quartet in E-flat, Op. 51. Alban Berg Quartet. EMI 57013.
1 PM
  • Atterberg: Symphony No. 4 in G minor, "Sinfonia Piccola." Frankfurt Radio Sym, Rasilainen. CPO 999 639 (in CPO box 777 118).
  • Liszt (after Verdi): Sacred Dance and Final Duet from Aida. Alexandre Dossin. Naxos 8.557904.
  • Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat, K. 447. Eric Ruske, Scottish Chamber Orch, Mackerras. Telarc 80367.

Wednesday, February 24

Thanks to Russell Wells for hosting Tuesday's show (playlist here). Today on GPB's Midday Music: just over an hour's worth of music used in the ladies' figure skating short programs in Vancouver, and then on to concert tie-ins and more.


11 AM
  • Mozart/Levin: Requiem, K. 626: Lacrimosa, Amen. Atlanta Sym Orch & Chamber Chorus, Runnicles. Telarc 80636. (Miki Ando, Japan.)
  • Chopin: Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp minor, Op. post. Therese Motard, Louise-Andree Baril. Analekta 3142. (Carolina Kostner, Italy)
  • Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D major. Gil Shaham, Singapore Sym, Shui. Canary CC04. (Carolina Kostner, Italy.)
  • Piazzolla: Histoire du Tango: Night Club 1960. Emmanuel Pahud, Manuel Barrueco. EMI 56578.
  • Rodriguez: La Cumparsita. London Cello Sound, Simon. Cala 0109. (Joannie Rochette, Canada.)
12 N
  • Khatchaturian: Masquerade: Waltz. French Radio Phil. Jarvi. Virgin 45609. (Mao Asada, Japan.)
  • Mozart: Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201. English Baroque Soloists, Gardiner. Philips 412 736.
  • Chopin: Cello Sonata in G minor. Therese Motard, Louise-Andree Baril. Analekta 3142.
1 PM
  • Verdi: Aida: Triumphal March, arr. wind band. United States Marine Band, Colburn. Naxos 8.570243.
  • Schumann: Piano Quartet in E-flat, Op. 47. Rabinovitch, Schwartzberg, Imai, Gutman. EMI 55484.
  • Bach: Trio Sonata, BWV 529. Musica Pacifica. Virgin 45192.

Monday, February 22

11 AM

  • Dolle: Suite No. 1 in G major for viola da gamba and continuo. Petr Wagner, Jacques Ogg. Dorian 93246.
  • Weber: Clarinet Concerto in E-flat, Op. 26. Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orch, Groves. ASV 4001.
  • Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber. Atlanta Sym, Shaw. Telarc 80606.
12 N
  • Chopin: Andante Spianato, Op. 22: mvt 1. David Duckworth. pianospa.com.
  • Haydn: Symphony No. 23 in G major. Academy of Ancient Music, Hogwood. L'Oiseau-Lyre 430 082.
  • Prokofiev: Flute Sonata in D major, Op. 94. Emmanuel Pahud, Stephan Kovacevich. EMI 56982.
  • Baermann: Adagio for clarinet and strings. Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orch, Groves. ASV 4001.
1 PM
  • Couperin: Divertissement No. 5, "Les Plaisirs de l'Ile Enchante." Capriccio Stravagante, Sempe. Naive 8820.
  • Brahms: "Double" Concerto in A minor for violin, cello and orchestra. David Oistrakh, Pierre Fournier, Philharmonia Orch, Galliera. EMI 81487.


Thursday, February 18

Want to see violinist Leila Josefowicz live in Atlanta, take in Baroque music with Symphony Orchestra Augusta on Saturday, or attend the Albany Symphony's cycle of Brandenburg Concertos, also Saturday? Check out our February Concert Calendar and go forth and see! And meanwhile, thanks for listening to Midday Music on GPB. Friday's show will come to you, as usual, from GPB's station in Savannah, WSVH (their playlists live here). Have a great weekend.

11 AM
  • Berwald: Grand Septet in B-flat. Gaudier Ensemble. Hyperion 66834.
  • Mozart: La Clemenza di Tito, Overture. Freiburg Baroque Orch, Jacobs. Harmonia Mundi 901923.24.
  • Beethoven: String Quartet No. 1 in F major, Op. 18/1. Tokyo String Quartet. Harmonia Mundi 907436.37.
12 N
  • Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia. Minnesota Orch, Oue. Reference 80.
  • Grieg: Violin Sonata No. 3 in C minor. Leila Josefowicz, John Novacek. Philips 456 571.
  • Bach: Oboe d'Amore Concerto in D major, BWV 1053. Thomas Stacy, Toronto Chamber Orch, Mallon. Naxos 8.570735.
  • Anonymous, 1630s: Adew, Dundee. Baltimore Consort. Dorian 90801.
1 PM
  • Piazzolla: Tango Suite for two guitars. Katona Twins. Channel 19804.
  • Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole for violin and orchestra. Joshua Bell, Montreal Sym, Dutoit. London 425 501.

Wednesday, February 17

Yep, more Olympic figure skating music, from the men's short program in Vancouver. Then it's rep from upcoming concerts across Georgia.


11 AM
  • Rossini: William Tell Overture. Montreal Sym, Dutoit. London 433 074. (Stephane Lambiel, Switzerland.)
  • Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez: slow movement. Alfonso Moreno, London Sym, Batiz. (Yevgeny Plushenko, Russia.)
  • Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain. Cincinnati Sym, Jarvi. (Kevin Van Der Perren, Belgium.)
  • Beethoven: "Moonlight" Sonata in C-sharp minor. Stephen Kovacevich. EMI 57131. (Viktor Pfeifer, Austria.)
  • Stravinsky: Firebird: finale. Cinconnati Pops, Kunzel. Telarc 80625.
12 N
  • Rachmaninoff: Elegiac Trio No. 1 in G minor. Bekova Sisters. Chandos 9329. (The Paris Piano Trio performs this piece plus Chopin and Mozart Thursday, February 18 at Auburn University, presented by the Auburn Chamber Music Society, 334-887-9379.)
  • Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-flat. Academy of Ancient Music, Egarr. Harmonia Mundi 807461.62. (In south Georgia, principal players of the Albany Symphony Orchestra, with music director Claire Fox Hillard, offer all six of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos Saturday at Albany Municipal Auditorium.)
  • Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty, Suite, Op. 66a. Boston Sym, Ozawa. DG 435 619. (Sunday, February 21 at 3 p.m. the Moscow Festival Ballet performs Tchaikovsky's full ballet The Sleeping Beauty at Macon's Grand Opera House.)
  • Daugherty: Lincoln Letters: Abraham Lincoln Is My Name. Thomas Hampson, Spokane Sym, Preu. E1 7725. (Great baritone Thomas Hampson sings "Songs of America" in Atlanta this Friday.)
1 PM
  • Mozart: Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K. 183. Concentus Musicus Vienna, Harnoncourt. DHM 75736. (Symphony Orchestra Augusta caps off an otherwise Baroque program with this early gem by Mozart, Saturday, 7:30 at First Baptist of Augusta.)
  • Gershwin/Heifetz: Porgy and Bess Suite; & Traditional spiritual/Heifetz: Deep River. Leila Josefowicz, John Novacek. Philips 289 462 948. (Leila Josefowicz performs Prokofiev with the Atlanta Symphony and Roberto Abbado this Thursday through Saturday in Atlanta.)

Tuesday, February 16

Olympic figure skating music, continued. Yesterday we heard tunes from the Sunday pairs short program. Today it's music from or related to Monday's pairs free skate. Plus Mardi Gras!


11 AM
  • Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor: Finale. Yefim Bronfman, Philharmonia Orch, Salonen. Sony 47183. (Evora & Ladwig, U.S.)
  • Torroba: Aires de la Mancha. David Russell. Telarc 80451; & Telemann: Don Quixote Suite. Northern Chamber Orch, Ward. Naxos 8.554019. (Taking a bit of license here. Silver medalists Pang & Tong, China, skated to "To Dream the Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha, which in turn is based on Don Quixote.)
  • Schulz-Evler: Arabesques on Themes from The Beautiful Blue Danube. Piers Lane. Hyperion 66785. (Kavaguti & Smirnov, Russia.)
  • Grofe: Grand Canyon Suite: Sunrise. Cincinnati Pops Orch, Kunzel. Telarc 80474. (Langlois & Hay, Canada.)
12 N
  • Albinoni/Giazotto: Adagio, arr. guitar and orchestra. Sharon Isbin, Zurich Chamber Orch, Griffiths. Warner 0927 45312. (Gold medalists Shen & Zhao, China.)
  • Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Symphonic Suite after The Thousand and One Nights. Atlanta Sym, Arzewski, Spano. Telarc 80568. (Two figure skating pairs sliced and diced Scheherezade, differently, for their free skates: Denney & Barrett of the U.S. and Zhang & Zhang of China.)
1 PM
  • Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9. Stefan Vladar. Harmonia Mundi 901890.
  • Schumann: Carnaval Jest from Vienna, Op. 26. Stefan Vladar. Harmonia Mundi 901890.

Monday, February 15

11 AM - Music from last night's figure skating pairs short program at the Vancouver Olympics

  • Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals: The Swan. Misha Maisky, Orchestra of Paris, Bychkov. DG 289 453 909.
  • Stravinsky: The Firebird, Suite (1945 version). Russian National Orch, Pletnev. DG 453 434.
  • Bizet: The Pearl Fishers: Je crois entendre encore. Placido Domingo, Los Angeles Phil, Giulini. DG 289459 352.
  • Sondheim: A Little Night Music: Night Waltz; Send in the Clowns. Boston Pops Orch, Williams. Philips 2606.
12 N - Music for President's Day and Black History Month
  • Persichetti: Symphony for Band. "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, Colburn. Naxos 8.570243.
  • Daugherty: Letters from Lincoln: Gettysburg Address. Thomas Hampson, Spokane Sym, Preu. E1 7725. (Note: Star baritone Thomas Hampson appears in Georgia this weekend, singing "Songs of America" February 19 at Emory's Schwartz Center in Atlanta.)
  • Still: Symphony No. 1, "Afro-American"(1930). Cincinnati Phil, Cai. Centaur 2331.
1 PM
  • Ewazen: Classical Concerto for Tenor Saxophone and Orchestra. James Houlik, Czech Phil Chamber Orch, Polivnick. Albany 477.
  • Haydn: "Military" Symphony (No. 100 in G major). Concertgebouw Orch Amsterdam, Harnoncourt. Teldec 8.43301.

Thursday, February 11

(Georgia February concert info here.)

11 AM
  • Chen/He: Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto. Gil Shaham, Singapore Sym, Shui. Canary CC04.
  • Chen/He: Butterfly Lovers: Falling in Love, arr. guitar. Xuefei Yang. EMI 06322.
  • Holst: St. Paul's Suite. New Zealand Chamber Orch, Braithwaite. Koch 7058.
  • Chaplin: City Lights: Overture & The Statue. City Lights Orch, Davis. Silva 5006.
12 N
  • Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in F minor. Philadelphia Orch, Eschenbach. Ondine 1104.
  • Praetorius: Dances from Terpsichore. Georgia Guitar Quartet.
1 PM
  • Mozart: Piano Trio in E major, K. 542. Anne-Sophie Mutter, Andre Previn, Daniel Muller-Schott. DG 6099.
  • Mozart: Coronation Mass, K. 317. Concentus Musicus Vienna, Arnold Schoenberg Chorus, soloists, Harnoncourt. Teldec 9031-72479.

Wednesday, February 10

11 AM

  • Bach, C.P.E.: Flute Concerto in D minor. Patrick Gallois, Toronto Camerata, Mallon. Naxos 8.555715-16.
  • Rachmaninoff/Kreisler: O, Cease Thy Singing, Maiden Fair. Nathan Gunn, Joshua Bell, Jeremy Denk. Sony 52716.
  • Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C minor. Academy of Ancient Music, Hogwood. L'Oiseau-Lyre 414 338.
12 N
  • Torroba: Estampas (Impressions). Georgia Guitar Quartet.
  • Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor. Robert McDuffie, Scottish Chamber Orch, Swensen. Telarc 80507.
  • Infante: Danzas Andaluzas. Karin Lechner, Sergio Tiempo. EMI 58472.
  • Telemann: Quartet in D major. Georgia Guitar Quartet.
1 PM
  • Strauss: Capriccio: Sextet (Overture). Scottish National Orch, Jarvi. Chandos 8758.
  • Bach, J.S.: English Suite No. 5 in E minor, BWV 810. Angela Hewitt. Hyperion 67451/2.
  • Zimbalist/Primrose: Sarasateana. Roberto Diaz, Robert Koenig. Naxos 8.557391.

Tuesday, February 9

11 AM

  • Chopin: Mazurka in E minor, Op. 17/2; Fantaisie in F minor, Op. 49. Alexandre Tharaud. Virgin 6855652.
  • Bortkiewicz: Symphony No. 1, "From My Homeland" (i.e. Russian Ukraine). BBC Scottish Sym, Brabbins. Hyperion 67338.
12 N
  • Adams: Gnarly Buttons: Hoedown (Mad Cow); Put Your Loving Arms Around Me. Andre Trouttet, Ensemble InterContemporain, Robertson. EMI 67133.
  • Sinding: Caprice; Alla Marcia; Pomposo. Jerome Lowenthal. Bridge 9306.
  • Valentini: Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 7/11. Musica Antiqua of Cologne, Goebel. Archiv 435 393.
  • Ponchielli: Dance of the Hours. Philharmonia Orch, Karajan. EMI 67020.
1 PM
  • Dvorak: Serenade for Winds in D minor, Op. 44. National Chamber Players, Graham. Klavier 11126.
  • Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez. David Russell, Naples Phil, Kunzel. Telarc 80459.

Monday, February 8

11 AM

  • Mozart: Piano Sonata in A minor, K. 310. Maria Joao Pires. DG 427 768.
  • Ravel: Bolero. Rotterdam Phil, de Waart. PentaTone 5186 167.
  • Puckett, J.: Colloquial Threads: Football and the Lord, Lamentation, Mint Julep. Scott Conklin, Alan Huckleberry. Albany 1138.
  • Traditional American: When the Saints Go Marchin' In. Empire Brass. Telarc 80438.
12 N
  • Copland: Rodeo, Four Dance Episodes. Buffalo Phil, Faletta. Naxos 559240.
  • Layton & Creamer/Dedrick: Way Down Yonder in New Orleans. Canadian Brass. Opening Day ODR 7371.
  • Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor. Vienna Phil, Rattle. EMI 57165.
1 PM
  • Arensky: Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor. Claremont Trio. Tria TR3860.
  • Leclair: Violin Sonata in F-sharp minor on viola da gamba. Tina Chancey et al. Versatile Viol II.

Thursday, February 4

11 AM

  • Ries: Piano Sonata in F minor, Op. 11/2. Susan Kogan. Naxos 8.570796.
  • Ravel: La Valse. Rotterdam Phil, Nezet-Seguin. EMI 66342.
  • Sibelius: Valse Triste. Berlin Phil, Karajan. DG 445 282.
  • Leclair: Violin Sonata in A minor, Book 3, Sonata 7, played on pardessus de viole. Tina Chancey et al. Versatile Viol II.
12 N
  • Bach: Three transcriptions for piano (Sinfonia in D major, arr. Kempff; Wachet auf, arr. Kempff; Sanctify Us by Thy Goodness, arr. Cohen). Angela Hewitt. Hyperion 67309.
  • Prokofiev: Cinderella, Suite. Scottish National Orch, Jarvi. Chandos 10484 X.
  • Tchaikovsky: Souvenir d'un Lieu Cher. Julia Fischer, Yaakov Kreizberg. PentaTone 5186 095.
1 PM
  • Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21. Emanuel Ax, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Mackerras. Sony 63371.
  • Mozart: Horn Quintet, K. 407. Nash Ensemble. Virgin 91074.

February Concert Calendar

Thursday, February 4
  • Columbus’s RiverCenter for the Performing Arts presents the great pianist Emanuel Ax. He’ll perform Schumann’s Fantasy, Op.17 and Fantasiestucke, Op. 12; and Chopin mazurkas and more.
  • The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and pianist Angela Hewitt. Bach’s Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ Sea Orpheus (Atlanta premiere), Stravinsky’s “Basel Concerto” for string orchestra, and Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings. Candler Concert Series, Schwartz Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 8 p.m.

February 4-7, 12-14

  • The Atlanta Ballet presents Prokofiev's Cinderella.

Friday, February 5

  • Atlanta’s Ferst Center for the Arts presents Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, Mexico’s finest and most celebrated traditional dance company. Atlanta.
  • The UGA Performing Arts Center in Athens presents young award-winning pianist Benjamin Moser.

Saturday, February 6

  • The UGA Performing Arts Center in Athens presents the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet in music by Karl Pilss, Gunther Schuller, Paul Hindemith, Samuel Barber and Carl Nielsen.
  • Master guitarist Pepe Romero performs at Morrow’s Spivey Hall. Program: “Celebration of Romantic Spain,” a tribute to Albéniz and Tárrega on the 100th anniversary of their deaths.

Sunday, February 7

  • Georgian Chamber Players with guest artists Amy Moretti, violin; Hsin-Yun Huang, viola; Andrés Diaz, cello. 3 p.m. Eloquent Romantic sextets by Strauss and Dvorák, and the youthful Prelude and Scherzo for string octet by Shostakovich.Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, Morrow.
  • Atlanta Symphony family series: Classical Clown. Conductor Jere Flint. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta.

Tuesday, February 9

  • Augusta’s Tuesday Music Live series presents the Atlanta harp and flute pairing the Kimoni Duo. Free noon concert at Saint Paul’s Church, 6th & Reynolds, downtown Augusta. Advance reservations are required for lunch following the concert.

February 9-10

  • The national touring production of A Chorus Line comes through Columbus. RiverCenter, 7:30 p.m.

February 11 & 13

  • Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with conductor Roberto Abbado. Mozart: Selected Church Sonatas, Coronation Mass; Beethoven: Symphony No. 1. Vocal soloists Inva Mula, Marianna Pizzolato, John Osborne, Lorenzo Regazzo. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta.

Thursday, February 11

  • Take 6 and Symphony Orchestra Augusta present a program of jazz, urban gospel, rhythm & blues and pop. Pops! At the Bell. 7:30, Bell Auditorium, Augusta. Take 6 is a Grammy-award winning a cappella vocal harmony ensemble of six men. Maestro Kuwahara keeps the first part of the program – with orchestra only – a secret. Take 6 joins the orchestra during the second half of the concert, performing with, and without the orchestra.

Friday, February 12

  • The Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society presents the Millennium Brass in concert at Augusta State University’s Maxwell Theatre.
  • The Falany Performing Arts Center at Reinhardt College in Waleska presents the Michael O’Neal Chamber Singers.
  • Emory University’s Chopin/Schumann Bicentennial Celebration Series continues with Schumann songs. Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta noontime Series, noon, Michael C. Carlos Museum. free. “Valentine’s Day Love Songs”: Teresa Hopkin sings Frauenliebe und Leben and tenor Bradley Howard sings Dichterliebe with pianist Deborah Thoreson.
  • Mercer University Opera presents a Valentine Opera Gala, “The Many Splendors of Love.” 7:30 p.m., Cox Capitol Theatre, Macon, (478) 257-6391. Pre-concert gala reception optional.

Saturday, February 13

  • The Valdosta Symphony Orchestra gives a concert featuring Georgia "native son" Robert McDuffie, soloist in Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto. Also on the program: Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony and Mozart's Marriage of Figaro Overture.
  • The UGA Performing Arts Center presents the Athens debut of international opera star and Marietta native Jennifer Larmore, mezzo-soprano. 8pm in Hodgson Concert Hall. A Metropolitan Opera star, the mezzo-soprano will perform a program she’s calling “The Art of Love,” with songs by Copland, Ives, Nin, Guastavino, Ravel, Barber, Weill and Herbert, accompanied by French pianist Antoine Palloc.
  • Violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Jeremy Denk are at Spivey Hall, Morrow. The concert is sold out.

Sunday, February 14

  • The Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights. One of the great silent films, with the CSO in the pit providing a musical score as a complement. Join “the Little Tramp,” the blind flower girl for a romantic Valentine’s Day event. Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries will be served before the concert. George Del Gobbo, conductor. Bill Heard Theatre, RiverCenter, Columbus, 7:30.
  • Saint John Church and Concerts with a Cause present the Georgia Guitar Quartet, 3:00, Saint John United Methodist Church, Augusta. Free. Nursery provided. An offering will be taken for the Lydia Project.
  • Michael Palmer conducts the Georgia State University Symphony Orchestra in a celebration of Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year’s Day, featuring Christina Smith, principal flute of the Atlanta Symphony, in Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach’s Flute Concerto in D minor; and William Pu, Atlanta Symphony associate concertmaster, in the “Butterfly Lovers” Violin Concerto, based on a Chinese legend. Also Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. 3 p.m., Rialto Center for the Arts, Atlanta; free.

Thursday, February 18

  • The Auburn Chamber Music Society presents the Paris Piano Trio. Music by Mozart, Rachmaninoff and Chopin. Auburn University, Auburn, Ala. Info: (334) 887-9379.
  • Guest recital at Albany State University with Frank Kowalsky, clarinet, and Mimi Noda, piano. 7 p.m., ACAD Auditorium, free.

February 18-20

  • Leila Josefowicz performs Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1. Roberto Abbado, in his second week in a row with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, conducts Mozart’s Overture to La Clemenza di Tito and Schubert “Great” Symphony No. 9. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta.

Friday, February 19

  • Thomas Hampson sings “Song of America.” American hymns, spirituals, and folk, cowboy, and war songs. Candler Concert Series, Schwartz Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 8 p.m. Concert star and leading man of opera baritone Thomas Hampson tell the American story of creativity through song in this national tour for the Library of Congress.
  • The great vocal group Sweet Honey in the Rock is at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Columbus.

Saturday, February 20

  • Albany Symphony Orchestra: “Baroque Germany,” featuring the orchestra’s principal musicians in Bach’s Six Brandenburg Concertos. Claire Fox Hillard, conductor. Albany Municipal Auditorium, Albany, 7:30.
  • Symphony Orchestra Augusta, First Baptist of August, 7:30. “Baroque & Beyond,” featuring oboist Kelly O’Dell in Bach’s Concerto for Oboe d’amore, plus Handel’s Overture and Entrance of the Queen of Sheba (Solomon), Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 1, and Mozart’s Symphony No. 25. Music director Shizuo Z Kuwahara conducts.
  • Mercer University’s McDuffie Center for Strings presents its namesake, violinist Robert McDuffie, in recital in Fickling Hall, McCorkle Music Building, Macon.
  • Clayton State University’s Spivey Hall presents organist Hector Olivera in music of Bach, Franck, Clark/Purcell and Liszt. Morrow.
  • The Meehan/Perkins Duo – “superb young percussionists” Todd Meehan and Doug Perkins - perform Paul Lansky’s Travel Diary, John Fitz Rogers’ Once Removed, David Lang’s Table of Contents, Nathan Davis’ Diving Bell and Suzanne Farrin’s This Mind Made War. Kopleff Recital Hall, Georgia State University, Atlanta. Free.

Sunday, February 21

  • Macon’s Grand Opera House presents Moscow Festival Ballet in Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Sleeping Beauty.
  • The acclaimed Ebene Quartet performs in Athens’ UGA Performing Arts Center. All-Beethoven program (part of an ongoing multi-group cycle). Quartets in F major, Op. 18, No. 1; F major, Op. 59, No. 1; C-sharp minor, Op. 131.
  • Symphony Orchestra Augusta Family Fun Series: “Movies, Cartoons & Orchestra!” Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre, Augusta State University. Pre-concert entertainment at 2:15, concert at 3:00.
  • Bertrand Giraud, piano; Vega String Quartet. Chopin’s complete Preludes; Schumann’s piano quartet. Schwartz Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 4 p.m.
  • The Gainesville ProMusica concert series presents Alejandro Saladin Cote.

Monday, February 22

  • CSU’s Chopin & Schumann 200th Anniversary Series, Part II. 7:30 p.m. in Legacy Hall, RiverCenter, Columbus. Free.

Tuesday, February 23

  • The Punch Brothers, featuring mandolin superstar Chris Thile. 7:30 pm in Bill Heard Theatre, RiverCenter, Columbus. Composer‐singer‐mandolin player Chris Thile released the first of five solo albums when he was only 13. By the time he was 20, he was attracting a following among pop, country and alternative‐rock audiences as a member of the Grammy‐winning Nickel Creek. In 2005 Thile began collaborating with gifted bandmates Chris Eldridge (guitar), Greg Garrison (bass), Noam Pikelny (banjo) and Gabe Witcher (violin).

Thursday, February 25

  • Columbus State University Legacy Live! CSU violinist Sergiu Schwartz is joined by pianist Gila Goldstein and cellist Andres Diaz in a program of favorite Romantic masterworks, 7 p.m., Legacy Hall.

February 25-27

  • Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Conductor Mei-Ann Chen leads Dvorak’s Eighth, Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Rhapsody (with pianist Jon Kimura Parker) and Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphoses. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta

Friday, February 26

  • Masters of Persian Music: Hossein Alizadeh, tar; Kayhan Kalhor, kamancheh; Hamid Reza Nourbakhsh, voice. Ferst Center for the Arts, Georgia Tech, Atlanta.

Saturday, February 27

  • Rome Symphony Orchestra, Rome City Auditorium, Rome, 7:30. Brahms Double Concerto with violinist Timothy Schwartz, head of string dept at Lehigh Univ, and cellist Lawrence Stomberg, professor at the University of Delaware. Music director and conductor Richard Prior.
  • The Atlanta Opera’s production of Verdi’s Aida runs at the Cobb Energy Centre, Atlanta, February 27, March 2, 5 & 7.
  • CSU Guitar Symposium: Duo Spiritoso and Carlos Perez, Legacy Hall, RiverCenter, Columbus.

Sunday, February 28

  • CSU Guitar Symposium: Elliot Frank and SoloDuo. 7:30 p.m. in Legacy Hall, RiverCenter, Columbus.
  • Spivey Hall in Morrow presents the Atlanta Chamber Players: “Twilight & Bright.” Harbison Twilight Music (horn trio), Rorem Bright Music (quintet), Schumann Piano Quartet.

Wednesday, February 3

11 AM

  • Weber: Euryanthe Overture. Vienna Phil, Thielemann. DG 289 474 5022.
  • Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 18 in G major, Op. 78, D. 894. Imogen Cooper. Avie 2157.
  • Telemann: Sonata (Concerto ripieno) in E-flat. Berlin Baroque Soloists, Kussmaul. DG B0005761.
12 N
  • DiLorenzo: Little Russian Circus. Burning River Brass. Dorian 90293.
  • Grieg: Old Norwegian Melody with Variations, Op. 51. Gothenburg Sym, Jarvi. DG 427 321.
  • Bernstein/Brohn: West Side Story Suite for violin and orchestra. Joshua Bell, Philharmonia Orch, Zinman. Sony 89358.
1 PM
  • Bach: Keyboard Concerto in D minor, BWV 1052. Angela Hewitt, Australian Chamber Orch, Tognetti. Hyperion 67307.
  • Zandonai: Conchita: "Ier dalla fabbrica a Triana." Renee Fleming, Milan Sym, Armiliato. Decca B0013279.
  • Francaix: Wind Quintet No. 1. Imani Winds. Imani 6227.

Tuesday, February 2

11 AM
  • Chopin/Leon: Nocturne, Op. 9/2. Ophelie Gaillard, Royal Phil, Redmond. Atlas Realisations AP001.
  • Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor. Emanuel Ax, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma. Sony 88697 52192.
  • Mahon: Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in F major. Colin Lawson, Parley of Instruments, Holman. Hyperion 66896.
12 N
  • Holst: The Planets: Jupiter, Bringer of Jollity. Berlin Phil, Rattle. EMI 69690.
  • Villa-Lobos: Prelude No. 1 in E minor for guitar. Pepe Romero. Philips 420 245.
  • Martin: Petite Symphonie Concertante for harp, harpsichord, piano and orchestra: mvts 2-3. Guibentif, Jaccottet, Ruttimann, Orch de la Suisse Romande, Jordan. Erato 2292-45694.
  • Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 2/2. Paul Lewis. Harmonia Mundi 901906.08.
  • Villa-Lobos: Suite Populaire Bresilienne: Gavota-Choro. Pepe Romero. Philips 420 245.
1 PM
  • Goldmark: Rustic Wedding Symphony. Pittsburgh Sym, Previn. EMI 64319.

Monday, February 1

New Grammy winners!


11 AM
  • Best vocal performance: soprano Renee Fleming, for Verismo, Decca B0013279-02. From that album we hear her sing "Senza mamma, o bimbo, tu sei morto" from Puccini's Suor Angelica.
  • Best solo performance with orchestra: pianist Evgeny Kissin, for Prokofiev concertos with the Philharmonia Orchestra and conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy, EMI 50999 2 64536. We hear them in Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3.
  • Best classical album, best choral performance and best engineered classical recording: Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony & Chorus in Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 8 (plus his Symphony No. 10: Adagio) on the group's own label, SFS 821936-0021-2. We hear the final 14 minutes of the colossal Eighth.
  • Best small ensemble performance: Paul Hillier and Theatre of Voices for The Little Match Girl Passion by David Lang, on Harmonia Mundi 807496.
12 N
  • Best instrumental solo performance: guitarist Sharon Isbin, for Journey to the New World, Sony 88697-45456. Today we hear Isbin's performance of four Renaissance lute pieces that open the wide-ranging album.
  • Best chamber music performance: the Emerson String Quartet for their recording of Janacek quartets, DG B0012770-02. We hear Janacek's String Quartet No. 1 ("after Tolstoy's Kreutzer Sonata").
  • Best surround sound recording: the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus's recording of On the Transmigration of Souls by John Adams on Telarc 90673. We hear it.
1 PM
  • Best orchestral performance: James Levine and the Boston Symphony Orchestra (and Tanglewood Festival Chorus) in the full ballet score Daphnis and Chloe by Maurice Ravel. We hear much of it.
  • And two more from guitarist Sharon Isbin's winning solo album: Andecy, by Andrew York; and "Wayfaring Stranger," featuring Joan Baez, vocals. Sony 88697-45456.