Thursday, November 15

<-Christopher Parkening / Los Romeros->

Guitar heaven! Tonight the UGA Performing Arts Center in Athens welcomes guitarist Christopher Parkening, and Saturday Spivey Hall in Morrow presents four members of the guitar-playing Romero family, Los Romeros. Guitar lovers, have at it. (An aside, looking ahead: Columbus State University holds its ninth annual Guitar Competition and Symposium February 23-24, 2008. Details here.)

Seems nobody wants to perform Thanksgiving weekend, so concerts pile up the week before. Beyond guitar, here are some reasons to get out and about.

• Augusta (Friday): the Paris Piano Trio in Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert.
• Albany (Saturday): Moscow Nights, classically trained Russian folk trio.
• Valdosta (Saturday): Valdosta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and VSU Concert Choir and soloists with conductor Paul Neal in Haydn, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Bernstein.
• Savannah area (Friday, Saturday): the Savannah Sinfonietta with Vivaldi, O'Connor, Bach, Mozart.
  
• Athens, Sunday: Tango Buenos Aires.
• Atlanta (Thursday, Friday, Sunday): the Atlanta Symphony with violinist Leila Josefowicz and conductor Kwame Ryan in Beethoven and Schumann. (In today's noon hour Josefowicz tells us about the cadenzas she wrote for the Beethoven concerto.)
  
• Atlanta (Friday, Sunday): the Atlanta Opera's Hansel and Gretel with Yoel Levi conducting and puppets puppeting.
• Atlanta (Sunday): in addition to opera and symphony, your choice of Grieg and Tchaikovsky with the Bergen Philharmonic, Andre Watts and Andrew Litton at Emory; the Georgian State Dance Company (that's the other Georgia) at the Fox; and (our) Georgia State University's BrassFest with guest trumpeter Allen Vizzutti.

Tomorrow on GPB please join Alan Cooke for the Friday requests of Midday Music as usual. Meanwhile, today in radio land we've got the following lineup.

11 AM . . . .

• Bustamente: Misionera; Villa-Lobos: Five Preludes: No. 1. Pepe Romero (Philips 420 245)
  
• Beethoven: Piano Trio in G, Op. 1/2. Florestan Trio (Hyperion 67393)
  
• Wagner: Magic Fire Music; Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walkure (arr. Stokowski). Bournemouth Sym, Serebrier (Naxos 8.570293)
  

12 N . . . . . .

• Smetana: Wallenstein's Camp. BBC Phil, Noseda (Chandos 10413)
  
• Schubert/Ernst: The Earl-King. Leila Josefowicz (Philips 446 700)
  
• Gershwin/Heifetz: Three Preludes. Leila Josefowicz, John Novacek (Philips 289 462 948)
  
• Bernstein: Candide: Make Our Garden Grow. Joshua Bell, Philahrmonia Orch, Zinman (Sony 89358)
  
• Albeniz: The Alhambra: La Vega (arr. Marshall). Christopher Parkening, London Sym, E. Bernstein (EMI Angel 56859)
• Ravel: La Vallee des Cloches (arr. Grainger). Netherlands Phil, Kreizberg (PentaTone 058)
  

1 PM . . . .

• Marcello: La Cetra: Concerto No. 5 in B-flat. Collegium Musicum, Standage (Chaconne 0744)
  
• Barrios: Una limosna por el amor de Dios. Pepe Romero (Philips 420 245)
• Schumann: Symphony No. 2 in C major. Cleveland Orch, Dohnanyi (London 421 439; pictured: London Decca 452 214)
  

Wednesday, November 14

This morning we hear violinist Leila Josefowicz in rags. That's music, not old clothes. She plays raucous ragtime by John Novacek. (She'll solo in Beethoven's Violin Concerto this week with the Atlanta Symphony.)

Also on Midday Music: the Ma'alot Quintet, which comes to Auburn tonight; guitarist Christopher Parkening, who does Athens tomorrow; and Brahms' B-major piano trio, which the Paris Piano Trio performs in Augusta Friday. (Please see yesterday's post below for links to info for other events. Tomorrow we'll also preview rep from the Valdosta Symphony's Saturday concert.) In addition, we'll sample the latest multi-piano album from the 5 Browns and spotlight cello in Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations. Something for everyone, I hope.

11 AM . . .

• Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major. Nikolaj Znaider, Israel Phil, Mehta (RCA 69217)
• Novacek, J.: Four Rags. Leila Josefowicz, John Novacek (Philips 289 462 948)

12 N . . . . . . .

• Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme. for cello and orchestra. Sol Gabetta, Munich Radio Orch, Rasilainen (RCA 75912)
  
• Ciardi: Le Rossignol du Nord for flute and piano. Roberto Fabbriciani, Massimiliano Damerini (Naxos 8.557857)
  
• Arensky: Fantasia on Russian Folksongs for piano and orchestra. Stephen Coombs, BBC Scottish Sym, Maksymiuk (Hyperion 66624)
  
• Debussy: Claire de Lune. Three of the 5 Browns (SonyBMG 88697 11322)
  
• Tartini: Violin Concerto in E. Adriadne Daskalakis, Cologne Chamber Orch, Muller-Bruhl (Naxos 8.570222)
  

1 PM . . . . .

• Dvorak: Slavonic Dance Op. 72/2 arr. for winds. Ma'alot Quintet (MDG 345 1356)
  
• Brahms: Piano Trio in B major, Op. 8. Wanderer Trio (Harmonia Mundi 901915.16)
  
• Domeniconi: Koyumbaba. Christopher Parkening (EMI 57591)
  

Tuesday, November 13

Today's selections almost all connect to concerts around Georgia, including:

• Auburn Community Orchestra, 7:30 tonight in the Opelika High School Auditorium, Opelika, AL.
  
• Ma'alot Wind Quintet, Wednesday at Auburn University's Goodwin Music Hall.
• Christopher Parkening, guitar, Thursday at UGA's Performing Arts Center, Athens.
• Savannah Sinfonietta, Friday and Saturday in two Savannah-area locations.
• Paris Piano Trio, Friday at Augusta State's Maxwell Performing Arts Center.
• Bergen Philharmonic and Andre Watts and Andrew Litton, Sunday 4 p.m. at Emory University in Atlanta.

Also, Moscow Nights performs Saturday in Albany, the Atlanta Opera's production of Hansel and Gretel continues tonight through the 18th, the Romeros perform at Spivey Hall, and the Valdosta Symphony offers "choral classics." Meanwhile, today on GPB . . .

11 AM . . .

• Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. Hewitt, Tognetti, Mitchell, Australian Chamber Orch (Hyperion 67307)
• Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture. London Sym, Wordsworth (Virgin 391372)
• Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez with harp. Gwyneth Wentink, Asturias Sym, Valdes (Naxos 8.555843)

12 N . . .

• Myers: Cavatina from The Deer Hunter. Christopher Parkening (EMI 57591)
• Dvorak: Bagatelles, arr. wind quintet. Ma'alot Quintet (MDG 1356)
• Haydn: Cello Concerto in C: mvts 2-3. Gautier Capucon, Mahler Chamber Orch, Harding (Virgin 45560)
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 2: slow mvt. London Classical Players, Norrington (EMI 47698)
• Schubert: Notturno (Adagio in E-flat, D. 897). Braley, Capucon, Capucon (Virgin 365476)

1 PM . . .

• Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4. Philadelphia Orch, Eschenbach (Ondine 1104)

Monday, November 12

From the first recording of the new label of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, CMS Studio Recordings, we hear Dvorak's Piano Quartet in E-flat, played by Wu Han and friends. This piece is tuneful, energetic, impassioned, fun, and just plain purdy. Don't be misled by the dim fluorescent cover art. It's colorful music.



Other fresh discs today bring us music of Marcello , Berlioz , Mozart , Norwegian folk songs and, from a boxed set of Russian piano trios, one Alexander Alyabiev .

If something you hear strikes your fancy, consider ordering it through PB-1 (Public Broadcasting One) and a bit of the purchase price will benefit your GPB station. Call PB-1 toll-free at 1-877-448-4719. Thanks for your support!

11 AM

• Marcello: La Cetra: Concerto No. 3 in B minor. Simon Standage, Collegium Musicum 90 (Chaconne 0744)
• Berlioz: Helene. Danish National Choir and Sym, Dausgaard (Chandos 10416)
• Dvorak: Piano Quartet in E-flat. Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: Han, Keefe, Guterman, Finckel (CMS)
• Smetana: The Fisherman (Rybar). BBC Phil, Noseda (Chandos 10413)

12 N

• Smetana: The Peasant Woman (Venkovanka). BBC Phil, Noseda (Chandos 10413)
• Saint-Saens: Romance for flute and piano, Op. 37. Ensemble Villa Musica (MDG 304 0395)
• Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat, K. 271. Mikhail Pletnev, German Chamber Phil (Virgin 0946 365467)
• Traditional Norwegian/arr.: Wedding March from Gudbrandsdalen; I know a stronghold in heaven. Trio Medieval (ECM 2003)
• Bizet/Lorriman: Farandole, from L'arlesienne. Black Dyke Band (Naxos 8.570726)

1 PM

• Lhoyer: Duo Concertante in E minor for two guitars, Op. 31/3. Josiane Rabemananjara, Philippe Spinosi (Naive 30396)
• Alyabiev: Piano Trio in A minor. Borodin Trio (Brilliant 93423)
• Torroba: Estampas. Minneapolis Guitar Quartet (Albany 339)
  

Friday, November 9

Want performances? Oy, have we got performances. Atlanta in particular is popping this weekend, offering the . . .

• Atlanta Symphony with Donald Runnicles and Cho-Liang Lin (through Saturday)
  
• Atlanta Baroque Orchestra with John Hsu (3 p.m. Sunday)
  
• Atlanta Chamber Players with Paula Peace (also 3 p.m. Sunday)
  
• Atlanta Opera's puppets-n-singers production of Hansel and Gretel, with Yoel Levi conducting (opening Saturday and continuing through the 18th).
  

Meanwhile, outside the trafficky state capital, consider the . . .

• Macon Symphony (Saturday in Macon and again Sunday in Eatonton)
• national touring production of Gypsy in Tifton (Saturday)
  
• Ysaye Quartet and, separately, soprano Nicole Cabell, at Spivey Hall in Morrow.
  

Today on Midday Music, Macon Symphony conductor Adrian Gnam praises the pairing of composer Samuel Barber and soprano Leah Partridge; and Atlanta Opera general manager Dennis Hanthorn waxes enthusiastic about the singing, prancing, puppet-wielding gingerbread children in the Atlanta Opera's Hansel and Gretel and the company's new venue in Cobb County. Alan Cooke's requests show returns next Friday on GPB.

11 AM

• Bruch: Octet for violins, viola, cello and bass. Kodaly and Auer quartets, Fejervari (Naxos 8.557270)
  
• Mozart: Symphonie Concertante for winds and orchestra, K. 297b. West-Eastern Divan Orch, Saleh, Azmeh, Biron, Polyak, Barenboim (Warner 62791)
  

12 N

• Beethoven: Symphony No. 4. BBC Phil, Noseda (BBC Music Mag 12/9)
  
• Barber: Let Down the Bars, O Death. Choir of Ormond College Melbourne, Lawrence (Naxos 8.559053)
  
• Dvorak: Slavonic Dances Op. 72/3,5. Atlanta Sym, Levi (Telarc 80497)
  
• Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel, finale. Bavarian Radio Sym, Tolzer Knabenchor, von Otter, Bonney, Tate (EMI 54022)
  

1 PM

• Brahms: Horn Trio: Finale. Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta. (ACA Digital 20033)
  
• Godard: Valse. Atlanta Chamber Players (ACA Digital )
  
• Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis. St. Louis Sym, Slatkin (Telarc 80606)
• Schoenfield: Cafe Music. James Ehnes, Edward Arron, Andrew Russo. (Black Box)
  
• Styne: Gypsy, Overture. Original Broadway cast recording.
  

Thursday, November 8

Operatic puppetry! In the noon hour, Atlanta Opera general manager Dennis Hanthorn previews the company's innovative new production of Hansel and Gretel. It's full of puppets, from a fourteen-foot witch it takes several puppeteers and a singer to maneuver, to small critters operated by the kids in the chorus of gingerbread children. Yoel Levi conducts Humperdinck's gorgeous music, Basil Twist designed and directs, it's sung in English, and it runs November 10, 13 16 and 18 at Atlanta's new Cobb Energy Centre, just off I-75.

Not quite this . . . . . . but close!

Also mentioned on air: Tonight in Waleska the group Moscow Nights performs Russian folk and folk-like music at the Falany Performing Arts Center. Saturday in Tifton, a national touring production of the classic Broadway musical Gypsy takes the stage. Tonight through Saturday the Atlanta Symphony with Donald Runnicles and Cho-Liang Lin offer Mozart, Strauss and Beethoven. Sunday afternoon the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra plays string sinfonias by two Bachs and a Mendelssohn while the Atlanta Chamber Players offer Milhaud and Brahms.



11 AM

• Tchaikovsky: Russian Dance. Trio Voronezh (Angel 56892)
• Vivaldi: Four Seasons: Spring. Cho-Liang Lin, Sejong, Newman (Naxos 8.557920)
• Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major. Thomas Zehetmair, Philharmonia Orch (Teldec 46340)
• Ravel: Daphnis and Chloe, Ballet Suite No. 2. Vienna Phil, Maazel (RCA 68600)

12 N

• Bach, C.P.E.: Symphony in G, Wq. 183/4. English Concert, Manze (Harmonia Mundi 907403)
• Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel: Dream Pantomime. Bavarian Radio Sym, Tate (EMI 54022)
• Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks. Cleveland Orch, Ashkenazy (London 425 112)
• Massenet: Scenes Alsaciennes. New Zealand Sym, Ossonce (Naxos 8.553125)
  

1 PM

• Korngold: Violin Concerto in D. Chantal Juillet, Berlin Radio Sym, Mauceri (London 425 481)
  
• Milhaud: Suite for clarinet, violin and piano. Klug, Tait, Hobson (Arabesque 6569)
  
• Styne: Gypsy medley. Richard Hayman and His Orchestra (Naxos 8.555012)
  

Wednesday, November 7

Thanks to Alan Cooke at Augusta station WACG and Russell Wells at Savannah's WSVH for hosting the past two days. Their playlists are here (for Monday) and here (for Tuesday).

News flash! Musical America has just named its Conductor of the Year, and it's . . . Atlanta Symphony music director Robert Spano. The announcement cites Spano's "solid musicianship, intellectual curiosity, and a palpable enthusiasm that is contagious on both sides of the footlights." Musical America's article about the winners says:

Robert Spano is that rare American conductor who has been able to launch a successful career in his native country. Known for his imaginative programming and deep commitment to music of his own era, Spano in his six years with the Atlanta Symphony has brought the orchestra increasingly into the limelight with a commissioning and recording program that is the envy of orchestras everywhere.

Spano can pick up his award December 13 in New York. And you can catch this season's ASO concerts broadcast over GPB Radio in the first half of 2008.

Today on Midday Music after the 1:00 news, Macon conductor Adrian Gnam introduces Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings. The Macon Symphony performs that (and Beethoven's First, and music of Barber featuring Mercer-trained Met soprano Leah Partridge) this Saturday the 10th in Macon and again Sunday the 11th up the road in Eatonton.

11 AM

• Beethoven: Symphony No. 1. Vienna Phil, Abbado (DG 427 301)
• Liszt: Jeux d'eaux de la Villa d'Este. Jorge Bolet (London 425 689)
• Haydn: String Quartet in B minor, Op. 33/1. Kodaly Quartet (Naxos 8.550788)

12 N . . .

• Mozart/Triebensee: Don Giovanni: La ci darem la mano. Opera Senza (MDG 603 1464)
• Korngold: Märchenbilder, Op. 3. BBC Phil, Bamert (Chandos 10434 X)
• Saint-Saens: Clarinet Sonata, Op. 167. Ensemble Villa Musica (MDG 304 0395)
• Glazunov: Saxophone Concerto in E-flat. Debra Richtmeyer, Slovak Radio Orch, Trevor (Albany 593)

1 PM . . .

• Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C major. Metamorphosen Chamber Orch, Yoo (Archetype 60105)
• Schoenfield: Four Souvenirs. (Not to be confused with his Four Parables, a more somber orchestral work on the same disc!) James Ehnes, Andrew Russo (Black Box 1109)
• Schoenfield: Burlesque. Paul Schoenfield et al. (Innova 544)

November 5-6

Alan Cooke (WACG Augusta) and Russell Wells (WSVH Savannah) hold down the fort this Monday and Tuesday. Hope you enjoy the variety. I'll be with you again on Wednesday.

Thursday, November 1

Day of the Dead, yes. Day of the Sleepy? Yup, that too.

How about some music to help shake off those post-Halloween chocolate hangovers. For the Day of the Dead, we've got assorted dead-connected pieces in the first hour. No Grateful Dead, though. We'll also hear from big names gracing Georgia stages this weekend - violinist Midori (in recital tonight in Athens and Friday in Atlanta) and harpist Yolanda Kondonassis (at Spivey Hall Sunday) - and other rep with concert connections. The New Zealand String Quartet offers a free concert Tuesday in Athens; we hear the Schumann quartet they've programmed. New Trinity Baroque sings Italian madrigals Sunday in Atlanta; we hear some Monteverdi madrigals.

Conductor Patricio Cobos tells us about next Tuesday's LaGrange Symphony concert and introduces Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony. It's also a busy time for the Augusta Symphony, with a mini instrument petting zoo and open dress rehearsal Saturday morning and, that evening, a "European Tour" of attractive concert fare featuring clarinetist David Shifrin.

11 AM . . .

• Ravel: Pavane for a Dead Princess. Saxology (ASV 2090)
• Korngold: The Dead City: Marietta's Song. Joseph Lin, Benjamin Loeb (Naxos 8.557067)
• Salzedo: Variations on a Theme in the Old Style. Yolanda Kondonassis (Telarc 80691)
• Janacek: From the House of the Dead, Prelude. Czech State Phil, Serebrier (Reference 75)
• Schumann: String Quartet No. 2 in F, Op. 41/2. Cherubini Quartet (EMI 50819)

12 N . . .

• Lehar: The Merry Widow, Overture. Berlin Radio Sym, Jurowski (CPO 999 891)
  
• Monteverdi: Two madrigals. Delitiae Musicae, Longhini (Naxos 8.555312-13)
  
• Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1. Midori, Berlin Phil, Jansons (Sony 87740)
• Rameau: Piece de clavecin en concert No. 1. Trio Sonnerie (Virgin 61872)
  

1 PM . . .

• Mendelssohn: Scottish Symphony (Symphony No. 3). New Philharmonia Orch, Muti (EMI 81788)
• Salzedo: Chanson dans la nuit. Yolanda Kondonassis (Telarc 80691 again)