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.

Midday Music, Tuesday 3/31/09

11 AM

• Holst: The Planets. Berlin Phil, Berlin Radio Choir, Rattle. EMI 69690.
• Gaubert: Madrigal for flute and piano. Fenwick Smith, Sally Pinkas. Naxos 8.557305.
  

12 N

• Gaubert: Flute Sonata No. 3. Fenwick Smith, Sally Pinkas. Naxos 8.557306.
• Diepenbrock: The Birds, Overture. Residentie Orch The Hague, Vonk. Chandos 8821.
• Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 in G, K. 453. Mitsuko Uchida, English Chamber Orch, Tate. Philips 422 592.
  

1 PM

• Brahms: Clarinet Trio in A minor. Stanley Drucker, Carter Brey, Gerald Robbins. ERI Elysium GRK 720.
  
• Platti: Oboe Concerto in G minor. Anthony Camden, City of London Sinfonia, Ward. Naxos 8.554772.
• Piazzolla: Concierto para quinteto. Kremer, Meyer, Sakharov, Posch, Glorvingen. Nonesuch 79407.
  

Midday Music, Monday 3/30/09

11 AM

• Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581. Dieter Kloecker, Consortium Classicum. CPO 999 802.
• Taneyev: Suite de Concert for violin and orchestra: mvts 4-5. David Oistrakh, Philharmonia Orch, Malko. EMI 65419.

12 N

• Bolcom: Graceful Ghost Rag. Richard Dowling. Klavier 77035.
  
• Gershwin: Concerto in F for piano and orchestra. Anne-Marie McDermott, Dallas Sym, Brown. Bridge 9252.
• Part: Da Pacem Domine. Estonian Phil Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orch, Kaljuste. ECM 2050.
• Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. Academy of Ancient Music, Egarr. Harmonia Mundi 807461.62.

1 PM

• Rosheger: Waltz No. 7. David Russell. Telarc 80707.
• Kleynjans: Arabesque in the Form of a Caprice. David Russell. Telarc 80707.
  
• Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber. San Francisco Sym, Blomstedt. London 421 523
  
• Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3. German Chamber Phil, Harding. Virgin 45364.
  

Midday Music, Thursday 3/26/09

11 AM

• Bach: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003, arr. guitar. Manuel Barrueco. EMI 56416.
• D'Ambrosio: Canzonetta. Sergiu Schwartz, Tao Lin. Romeo 7246.
• Haydn: Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major. Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, Kremerata Baltica. Profil 08031.

12 N

• Falla: Suite Populaire Espagnole. Daniel Hope, Sebastian Knauer. Warner 61329.
• Fesca: Symphony No. 2. NDR Radio Phil, Beermann. CPO 999 869.
  
• Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. Academy of Ancient Music, Egarr. Harmonia Mundi 807461.62.
  

1 PM

• Berwald: Festival of the Bayaderes. Royal Phil, Bjorlin. EMI 65073.
  
• Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major. Leonidas Kavakos, Camerata Salzburg. Sony BMG 842412.
  
• Ginastera: Impresiones de la Puna. Eugenia Zukerman, Shanghai String Quartet. Delos 3173.
  

Midday Music, Wednesday 3/25/09

11 AM

• Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D, K. 218. Leonidas Kavakos, Camerata Salzburg. Sony BMG 842412.
• Elgar: Piano Quintet in A minor: mvts 2-3. Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (Wu Han et al.). CMS 82505.
• Elgar: La Capricieuse. Chee-Yun, Akira Eguchi. Denon 75118.
• Mssenet: Meditation from Thais. Chee-Yun, Akira Eguchi. Denon 75118.
  

12 N

• Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major. Academy of Ancient Music, Egarr. Harmonia Mundi 807461.62.
• Sarasate: Introduction and Tarantella. Chee-Yun, Akira Eguchi. Denon 75118.
  
• Stravinsky: The Firebird, Suite (1910 version). St. Petersburg Phil, Ashkenazy. Decca 448 812.
• Chopin: Etude in C major, Op. 10/1. Garrick Ohlsson. Arabesque 6718.
  

1 PM

• Mendelssohn: "Scottish" Symphony (No. 3 in A minor).
• Schubert: The Harper's Songs: No. 3, "I shall steal from door to door." Ian Bostridge, Leif Ove Andsnes. EMI 84321.
• 
  

Midday Music, Tuesday 3/24/09

11 AM

• Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 6. Academy of Ancient Music, Egarr. Harmonia Mundi 807461.62.
• Dvorak: Piano Quartet in E-flat, Op. 87. Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. CMS.
• Palestrina: Ricercar del primo tuono. Amsterdam Loeki Stardust Quartet.

12 N

• Walton: Spitfire Prelude and Fugue. Florida Phil, Judd. Harmonia Mundi 907070.
  
• Foote: Cello Sonata, Op. 78. Andres Diaz, Samuel Sanders. Dorian 90241.
  
• Haydn: Symphony No. 22 in E-flat, "Philosopher." Orpheus Chamber Orch. DG 427 337.
  

1 PM

• O'Connor: Americana Symphony, Variations on "Appalchia Waltz." Baltimore Sym, Alsop. OMAC-12.
  
• Hovhaness: Suite from String Quartet No. 2: Gamelan in Sosi Style, Spirit Murmur, Hymn. Shanghai Quartet. Delos 3162.
• Webern: Langsamer Satz. Emerson String Quartet. DG 445 828.
  

Classical Concerts, March 24-31, 2009

An embarrassment of riches. This week you can enjoy live classical music in Newnan, Macon, Athens, Augusta, Calhoun, Atlanta, Columbus, Rome, Kennesaw, Morrow, Roswell, Opelika, Auburn, LaGrange and Savannah. Arts organizations are especially eager to fill seats right now. Consider occupying one!

Tuesday, March 24

• The Parker String Quartet performs at 8th and Rail Dessert Cafe and Tavern in Opelika, Ala., presented by the Auburn Chamber Music Society.
  

Wednesday, March 25

• The Auburn Chamber Music Society presents the Parker String Quartet with pianist Soyeon Lee in Goodwin Recital Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, playing Brahms' Piano Quintet, Dvorak's "American" Quartet and Terry Riley's Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collectors.
  
• The Savannah Music Festival's chamber music series, "Sensations," continues with two gems: Brahms' Piano Quintet and Tchaikovsky's sextet Souvenir de Florence. Savannah.
  
• Cellist Andres Diaz (with pianist Elizabeth Pridgen) performs a free recital of Rachmaninoff, Piazzolla and Tavener, Kopleff Recital Hall, Georgia State, Atlanta.

Thursday, March 26

• The Robert McDuffie Center for Strings presents cellist Andres Diaz in recital, Fickling Hall, Mercer University, Macon. Free admission.
  
• Pianist Sebastian Knauer is in recital in Savannah, celebrating Mendelssohn's 200th birthday. Savannah Music Festival.
• Guitarist Manuel Barrueco goes at it in Savannah as well. Savannah Music Festival.

Through the Weekend

• The Atlanta Ballet presents Stravinsky's Firebird, as well as works by Hampson and Moultrie. March 26-29 in Atlanta.
  
• The Atlanta Symphony, conductor Gilbert Varga and violinist Leonidas Kavakos perform in Atlanta's Symphony Hall. Kodaly's Galanta Dances, the Sibelius Violin Concerto and Brahms' Second Symphony.
• Georgia State University's Opera Production stages Francis Poulenc's masterpiece, Dialogues of the Carmelites, a story of nuns amidst the French Revolution. Rialto Center, Atlanta. March 27 & 29.
• The Cobb Symphony and the Georgia Ballet team up in A Young Dancer's Guide to the Orchestra and works by Minkus, Auber and Bach. Murray Arts Center, Kennesaw. March 28, 2 & 7 p.m.; March 29, 2:00 p.m.
  

Friday, March 27

• The Academy of Ancient Music plays all six of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos in Savannah.
  
• Pianist and longtime Piccolo Spoleto chamber music director Charles Wadsworth and friends perform chamber music in honor of Wadsworth's 80th birthday, Wadsworth Auditorium, Newnan.
• Louise Barfield plays a recital of Romantic piano music at Little Carnegie of the South, to benefit Little Carnegie of the South, Macon. In conjunction with art show by Wesleyan College's Libby Bailey. Tickets include catered reception. Reservations: (678) 256-3388.

Saturday, March 28

• The Academy of Ancient Music's tour continues in Athens, with a performance of the complete Brandenburg Concertos of Bach.
  
• Soprano Cynthia Watters - Carrollton native, Shorter College grad, longtime New Yorker, now on the music staff at Glenn Memorial Methodist in Atlanta - performs beloved songs from many genres at the Harris Arts Center in Calhoun. Info: (706) 629-2599.
• The Augusta Choral Society presents Mozart's Requiem, with chorus, soloists and orchestra, at St. Paul's Church, Augusta.
• The Columbus Symphony, led by George del Gobbo, celebrate two great composer's milestone birthdays with Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony and Violin Concerto - with Sergiu Schwartz as soloist - and Haydn's Symphony No. 22, "The Philosopher." RiverCenter, Columbus.
• Pianists Marcus Roberts and Sebastian Knauer offer Gershwin at the Savannah Music Festival. Savannah.
  
• The Rome Symphony, under music director Richard Prior, perform Elgar's Enigma Variations, film music by Walton, and Haydn's Cello Concerto in C with soloist Annie Camp (principal cellist, Rome Symphony; string director, Darlington School; instructor, Berry College and Lee University). Rome City Auditorium.

Sunday, March 29

• The final stop on the U.S. tour of the Academy of Ancient Music is Spivey Hall, Clayton State, Morrow. Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, all six of them.
• UGA alum and distinguished musician and administrator Charles Wadsworth turns 80 this year. Before he eases up on the touring and performing, Charles Wadsworth and friends offer music by Bach, Saint-Saens, Brahms, Weber, Rachmaninoff and Wadsworth (!) at UGA's Performing Arts Center, Athens.
• More great chamber music from the Sensations series at the Savannah Music Festival: Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" Quartet and Elgar's Piano Quintet. Savannah.
  
• "Brilliant young organist" (and Juilliard organ department chair) Paul Jacobs performs on the organ at Roswell United Methodist Church, Roswell. 4 p.m., free admission.

Monday, March 30

• Schubert lieder (art songs) with renowned tenor Ian Bostridge and longtime musical partner Julius Drake bring their artistry to Savannah. Savannah Music Festival.

Tuesday, March 31

• The Callaway Concert Series presents the Shanghai Quartet in Callaway Auditorium, LaGrange College, LaGrange.

Midday Music, Monday 3/23/09

11 AM

• Granados: Goyescas: Young Men in Love: The Ghost's Serenade. Eric Parkin. Chandos 9412.
• Goldmark: Rustic Wedding Symphony. Pittsburg Sym, Previn. EMI 64319.

12 N

• Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1. Academy of Ancient Music, Egarr. Harmonia Mundi 807461.62.
• Bernstein: Serenade for violin, strings, harp and percussion after Plato's Symposium (1954). Philippe Quint, Bournemouth Sym, Alsop. Naxos 8.559245.

1 PM

• Liszt/Renie: Liebestraum (Nocturne No. 3). Elizabeth Hainen. Naxos 555791.
  
• Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor. Zilberstein, Schwarzberg, Hall, Romanoff-Schwarzberg, Drobinsky (Lugano Festival). EMI 58472.

Midday Music, Thursday 3/19/09

The Savannah Music Festival begins tonight, with one amazing concert after another, but there are also concerts of note this weekend in Augusta, Morrow, Columbus, Atlanta, Athens and elsewhere. Please see the list of Classical Concerts (below) for musical goings-on in your neck of the woods.

On GPB, tune in tonight at 9 for The ASO on GPB (all-Tchaikovsky, featuring Macon's own Robert McDuffie, violin). Friday please join Eric Nauert of member station WSVH for Midday Music at 11. Have a great weekend!

11 AM

• Ravel: Noble and Sentimental Waltzes. Cleveland Orch, Boulez. DG 289 449 213.
• Scriabin: Twelve Etudes, Op. 8. Garrick Ohlsson. Bridge 9287.
• Muffat: Concerto Grosso No. 11 in E minor, "Delirium Amoris." Musica Aeterna Bratislava, Zajicek. Naxos 8.555743.

12 N

• Dohnanyi: Variations on a Nursery Song. Cristina Ortiz, New Philharmonia Orch, Koizumi. EMI 64319.
• Opera Chat with Renee Wilson-Wicker about Bellini's opera La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker). Note: Through a partnership between GPB and GMEA, any member of the Georgia Music Educators' Association is eligible to win a free pair of tickets to take a student to the high-definition broadcast of La Sonnambula live from the Metropolitan Opera at the nearest participating Georgia theater. The performance features soprano Natalie Dessay as Amina. If interested, email choral@gmea.org.
• Bellini: La Sonnambula: from the final scene, including "Ah, non credea mirarti." Eva Lind, Munich Radio Orch, Bavarian Radio Chorus, Wallberg.
• Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2. Academy of Ancient Music, Egarr. Harmonia Mundi 807461.62.

1 PM

• Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor. Daniel Hope, Chamber Orchestra of Europe. DG 477 6634.
• Schubert: String Quartet in D major, D. 94. Prazak Quartet. Praga 250 191.

Midday Music, Wednesday 3/18/09

11 AM

• Muffat: Concerto Grosso No. 8 in F, "Coronatio Augusta." Musica Aeterna Bratislava, Zajicek. Naxos 8.555743.
  
• Schubert: Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat, Op. 99. Wu Han, Philip Setzer, David Finckel. ArtistLed 10802.
  
• Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia. Edmonton Sym, Mayer. CBC 5169.
  

12 N

• Bach: Keyboard Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826. Murray Perahia. Sony 22697.
  
• Bizet: Symphony in C. New York Phil, Bernstein. Sony 61830.
  
• Rahasimanana: Maki. John Williams and friends. Sony 89483.
  

1 PM

• Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2, "Little Russian." Gewandhaus Orch Leipzig, Masur. Teldec 44943.
  
• Medtner: Piano Sonata in A minor, Op. 30. Marc-Andre Hamelin. Hyperion 67221/4.
• Scriabin: Etudes Op. 2/1 & Op. 49/1. Garrick Ohlsson. Bridge 9287.
  

Classical Concerts, March 17-25

GPB's Sarah Zaslaw introducing the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra's March 12 concert in Columbus, Georgia.











The Savannah Music Festival gets underway with an incredible lineup of musicians, classical and otherwise. This weekend's classical highlights include:

• Thursday, March 19: Pianist Garrick Ohlsson in recital.
• Friday, March 20: "Sensations I" - chamber music with violinists Daniel Hope and Lorenza Borrani, pianist Wu Han and friends. Dvorak's Piano Quintet, Barber's Adagio and Beethoven and Schulhoff.
• Saturday, March 21: The Prazak Quartet with an all-Czech program (Dvorak, Janacek, Smetana).
• Sunday, March 22: "Sensations II" - chamber music including Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata (with David Finckel and Wu Han), Schubert's great String Quintet and the premier of a festival-commissioned piece by Alexandra du Bois.
• Monday, March 23: Pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin in recital.

Amazing. Please consult the festival's website for details on times, venues and tickets.

Meanwhile, the rest of GPB's listening area isn't exactly kicking back.

Tuesday, March 17

• Columbus State's Schwob School of Music presents guest artists Andre Gaskins and Yien Wang in Romantic music for cello and piano by Schumann, Brahms and Chopin, Legacy Hall, RiverCenter, Columbus, 7:30. Free.
• Award-winning Turkish-born pianist Zeynep Ucbasaran and Georgia State keyboard faculty Sergio Gallo present a faculty/guest artist recital. Kopleff Recital Hall, Georgia State University, Atlanta, 7:30. Free.

Thursday, March 19

• Columbus State University presents internationally acclaimed organist James David Christie making his first solo appearance on the Jordan organ in Legacy Hall, RiverCenter, Columbus, 7:30.
  

Friday, March 20

• The Prague-based Prazak Quartet plays Haydn, Webern and Dvorak as part of the University of Georgia's Franklin College Chamber Music Series. Hodgson Concert Hall, UGA Performing Arts Center, Athens. 8 p.m. Free.
• The Vega String Quartet teams up with the vocal sextet Lionheart for a program including Phil Kline's John the Revelator and the world premiere of Richard Prior's Three Essays. (Richard Prior of Emory's music faculty is also director of the Rome Symphony.) Schwartz Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 8:00.

Saturday, March 21

• Donald Portnoy leads the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, in one of his final concerts as music director, featuring Ukrainian-American pianist Marina Lomazov in Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto, plus Glinka's Russlan and Ludmilla Overture and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 2. First Baptist of Augusta, 7:30.
• Famed guitarist John Williams is in recital at Spivey Hall, Clayton State, Morrow, 8:15. Sold out.
  
• The Atlanta Opera presents Opera Family Day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Atlanta Opera Center, Northside Drive, Atlanta. Crafts, food, music, stage combat and more!

Sunday, March 22

• One of the world's greatest pianists, Murray Perahia, performs Bach, Beethoven and Brahms in Spivey Hall, Morrow, 3 p.m. Sold out. (Perahia also gives a piano master class at Spivey Hall 11 a.m. Saturday.)
• The Atlanta Baroque Orchestra offers music of Georg Muffat and both of his teachers, Corelli and Lully, with professional baroque dancer Paige Whitley-Baugess for pieces by Lully and Schmelzer. Also concertos by Corelli. Julie Andrijeski, guest director and violinist. Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Atlanta, 3 p.m.
• Columbus State's Choral Union and Percussion Ensemble, joined by four vocal soloists and four pianists, present Stravinsky's seldom performed work Les Noces (The Wedding), plus music by Antheil and Harrison. 4 p.m., Bill Heard Theater, RiverCenter, Columbus.

Tuesday, March 24

• The Auburn Chamber Music Society presents the Parker String Quartet at 8th and Rail Dessert Cafe and Tavern, Opelika.

Wednesday, March 25

• The Auburn Chamber Music Society presents the Parker String Quartet and pianist Soyeon Lee in Brahms' Piano Quintet, Dvorak's "American" Quartet, and music of Riley and Webern. 7:30, Goodwin Recital Hall, Auburn University.
• Renowned Chilean-born, Georgia-bred cellist Andres Diaz performs Rachmaninoff, Piazzolla and Tavener with pianist Elizabeth Pridgen. 7:30, Kopleff Recital Hall, Georgia State, Atlanta. Free.

Midday Music, Tuesday 3/17/09

11 AM

• Stanford: "Irish" Symphony (No. 3 in F minor). Bournemouth Sym, Lloyd-Jones. Naxos 8.570355.
• Torke: Green. Baltimore Sym, Zinman. Argo 433 071.
  

12 N

• O'Carolan: Jigg to the Above. Harp Consort, Lawrence-King. DHM 77375.
• Schumann: Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70. Pieter Wispelwey, Paolo Giacometti. Channel 18698.
• Sullivan: "Irish" Symphony in E. Royal Liverpool Phil, Lloyd-Jones. Naxos 8.570351.
• 
  

1 PM

• Glinka: Russlan and Ludmilla, Overture. Baltimore Sym, Zinman. Telarc 80378.
• Beethoven: String Quartet No. 1 in F major, Op. 18/1. Prazak Quartet. Praga 250 183.
  
• Pinkham: Sonata No. 3 for Organ and Strings (1987). James David Christie, London Sym, Sedares. Koch 7179.
• 
  

Midday Music, Monday 3/16/09

11 AM

• Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat. Garrick Ohlsson, American Sinfonietta, Palmer. Natural Soundfields 100630.
• Brahms: Clarinet Trio in A minor, Op. 114. Emanuel Ax, Richard Stoltzman, Yo-Yo Ma. Sony 57499.
  

12 N

• Valentine (or Valentini): Sonata Prima. Rubato Appassionato. m-a recording 075.
• Turina: Sinfonia Sevillana. Cincinnati Sym, Lopez-Cobos. Telarc 80574.
• Mozart: "Hunt" Quartet in B-flat, K. 458. Prazak Quartet. Praga 250 242.
  

1 PM

• Mussorgsky: Dawn on the Moscow River (Khovanshchina, Prelude). Russian National Orch, Pletnev. DG 439 892.
• Schubert: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat, Op. 100, D. 929. Wu Han, Philip Setzer, David Finckel. ArtistLed 10802.

Midday Music, Thursday 3/12/09

Please join GPB tonight in Columbus, 7:30 at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, for what promises to be a fabulous concert by the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra on their first U.S. tour together with music director Nikolai Alexeev and magnetic young Van Cliburn silver medalist Joyce Yang. The program includes music of Arvo Pärt, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Jean Sibelius. It's copresented by GPB and I'll be there; hope you will be too. In preparation, Midday Music features the Estonian National Symphony and music of Estonian composers Arvo Pärt and Eduard Tubin.

11 AM

• Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien. Royal Phil, Gatti. Harmonia Mundi 907393.
  
• Tubin: Symphony No. 4, "Lyrical." Estonian National Sym, Volmer. Alba 155.
  
• Pärt: Summa. I Fiamminghi, Werthen. Telarc 80387.
  

12 N

• Strauss: Serenade for Winds in E-flat, Op. 7. Minnesota Orch, de Waart. Virgin 91102.
  
• Satie: Gymnopedie No. 3. Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Decca 470 290.
  
• Pärt: Cecilia, Vergine Romana. Estonian Phil Chamber Choir, Estonian National Sym, Kaljuste. ECM 2050.
  
• Copland: Appalachian Spring. Nashville Chamber Orch, Gambill. Naxos 559069.
  

1 PM

• Vivaldi: Concerto in C for three violins, oboe, etc., RV 555. Europa Galante, Biondi. Virgin 45527.
  
• Röntgen: Theme with Variations for piano four hands, Op. 17.
  
• Mozart: Concerto for Flute and Harp in C major, K. 299. Emmanuel Pahud, Marie-Pierre Langlamet, Berlin Phil, Abbado. EMI 57128.
  

Classical Concerts, March 12-15, 2009

Thursday, March 12

• The acclaimed Estonian National Symphony stops through Columbus on its inaugural United States tour. On the program: Sibelius's Symphony No. 2 and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with Van Cliburn silver medalist Joyce Yang as soloist. Copresented by RiverCenter and GPB, this concert will be recorded for future broadcast on GPB Radio. I'll be in the RiverCenter audience at 7:30; hope to see you in Columbus!
• The Augusta Symphony's Pops! at the Bell series presents Don McLean in an evening of his best-loved hits, including "American Pie" and "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)." 7:30, Bell Auditorium, Augusta.

March 12-15

• The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, with Italian guest conductor Nicola Luisotti and pianist Horacio Gutierrez, offer Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien, Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto and Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., Symphony Hall, Atlanta, and Sunday 3 p.m., UGA Performing Arts Center, Athens.

March 13-14

• The Macon Symphony performs an all-American tribute to the Lincoln bicentennial. Adrian Gnam conducts music of Copland, Corigliano and Berstein and the southeastern premiere of Blue Shades by composer-in-residence Frank Ticheli. Friday, 7 p.m., Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts, Georgia Military College, Milledgeville, and Saturday, 7:30, Grand Opera House, Macon.
• These are tough times for the arts. The Augusta Opera has had to cancel the rest of its season, including Puccini's Tosca scheduled for this weekend and Rossini's Barber of Seville scheduled for May.
  

Sunday, March 15

• Clayton State faculty pianist Michiko Otaki and the Swiss Wind Quintet perform Mozart, Meier and Thuille at Clayton State's Spivey Hall, Morrow, Sunday afternoon. They repeat the program at Georgia Southwestern State in Americus on Thursday the 19th.

Midday Music, Wednesday 3/11/09

11 AM

• Kabalevsky: The Comedians. San Deigo Chamber Orch, Barra. Koch 7042.
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major. Vienna Phil, Kleiber. DG 447 400.

12 N

• Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Horacio Gutierrez, Baltimore Sym, Zinman. Telarc 80193.
• Liszt: Reminiscences of Don Juan (after "La ci darem la mano" from Mozart's Don Giovanni). Joyce Yang. HMU 907405.
• Elgar: Three Bavarian Dances. New Zealand Sym, Judd. Naxos 8.557577.

1 PM

• Chedeville: Sonata IV from Il Pastor Fido (1737). Rubato Appassionato. m a recordings M075A.
  
• Mozart: Quintet in E-flat for piano and winds, K. 452. Uchida, Black, King, Lloyd, O'Neill. Philips 422 592.
• Roncalli: Guitar Sonata No. 5 from Capricci Armonici (1692). Richard Savino. Dorian 90804.

Midday Music, Tuesday 3/10/09

Apologies for technical difficulties that have GPB intermittently going off the air today. Our engineers are working hard to fix the problems. Thanks for your patience. -SZ

11 AM

• Tchaikovsky: "Grand" Piano Sonata in G major, Op. 37. Vassily Primakov. Bridge 9283.
• Telemann: Sonata in F major for Two Chalumeaux. Collegium Musicum 90, Standage. Chandos 0593.
• Roncalli: Guitar Sonata No. 8 from Capricci Armonici (1692). Richard Savino. Dorian 90804.

12 N

• O'Connor: Concerto No. 6, "Old Brass," for violin and orchestra. Mark O'Connor, Pro Arte Chamber Orch, Smirnoff. OMAC-12.
  
• Ticheli: Blue Shades. Massachusetts Wind Orch, Rowell. Albany 666.
  
• Corigliano: Voyage for flute and string orchestra. Edmund-Davies, I Fiamminghi, Werthen. Telarc 80503.
  

1 PM

• Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3. Horacio Gutierrez, Royal Concertgebouw ORch, Jarvi. Chandos 8889.
• Bridge: Enter Spring. New Zealand Sym, Judd. Naxos 8.557167.
  

Midday Music, Monday 3/9/09

11 AM

• Schubert: String Quintet in C major. Emerson Quartet, Mstislav Rostropovich. DG 289 459 151.

12 N

• Bernstein: Fancy Free, Ballet. New York Phil, Bernstein. Sony 63085.
• Thuille: Sextet for piano and winds. Michiko Otaki, Warsaw Wind Quintet. Preciosa 66009.
• 16th c. Italy: Gagliarda "La Scarpa." Musica Reservata, Morrow. Boston Skyline 123.
  

1 PM

• Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 1. Eric Ruske, Scottish Chamber Orch, Mackerras. Telarc 80367.
  
• Godowsky: Java Suite: Part 4. Esther Budiardjo. ProPiano 224529.
  
• Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain. Angela Cheng, Calgary Phil, Graf. CBC SMCD 5195.
  

Midday Music, Thursday 3/5/09

11 AM

• Brahms: String Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 51/1. Belcea Quartet. EMI 57661.
• Brahms: Intermezzo in B minor, Op. 117/1. Emanuel Ax. Sony 88697-03510.
• Sullivan: Cello Concerto in D (reconstr. Mackerras & Mackie). Julian Lloyd Webber, London Sym, Mackerras. EMI 0777 7 64726.

12 N

• Purcell: The Fairy Queen: Suite. Red Priest. Dorian 90305.
• Puccini: Madama Butterfly: Humming Chorus; Un bel di. Leontyne Price, RCA Italian Opera Orch & Chorus, Leinsdorf. RCA 63496.
  
• Medtner: Sonaten-Triade, Op. 11. Marc-Andre Hamelin. Hyperion 67221/4.
• Jarnefeldt: Praeludium. Minnesota Orch, Oue. Reference 92.
  

1 PM

• Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6. Joyce Yang. Harmonia Mundi 907405.
• Scriabin: The Poem of Ecstasy. New York Phil, Sinopoli. DG 427 324.
• Martinu: Concerto in D major for Two Violins and Orchestra. Bohuslav Matousek, Jennifer Koh, Czech Phil, Hogwood. Hyperion 67671.

Classical Concerts, March 5-9, 2008

Thursday-Saturday, March 5-7

• Robert Spano leads the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and violinist Jennifer Koh in a colorful program of music by Richard Wagner, Jennifer Higdon, Alvin Singleton and Alexander Scriabin. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall, Atlanta.

Saturday, March 7

• From the UK, the award-winning young Belcea Quartet plays Haydn, Britten and Schubert. Spivey Hall, Clayton State, Morrow.
• The Augusta Symphony's Columbia County Music Series presents internationally acclaimed pianist Valentina Lisitsa in recital playing Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Schumann, Thalberg and Beethoven. 7:30 p.m., Hardin Performing Arts Center, Evans.
• Celebration Concert XII, "My Soul as a Witness: Spirituality in the Music of American's Enslaved," takes place in Albany, with tenor Leroy Bynum, the Albany State University Concert Chorale and the Albany Symphony. Claire Fox Hillard conducts. 4 p.m., Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Sunday, March 8

• Concerts with a Cause presents the Manhattan Piano Trio and renowned flutist Eugenia Zukerman at St. John United Methodist Church, Augusta. 3 p.m., free, but donations accepted to benefit Child Enrichment.
• Young Russian piano phenom Yevgeny Sudbin makes his Spivey Hall debut playing Scarlatti, Haydn, Medtner and Chopin. 3 p.m., Morrow.

Thursday, March 12

• Van Cliburn Competition silver medalist Joyce Yang performs Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Estonian National Symphony, now on its U.S. debut tour. Also on the program: the Second Symphony by Jean Sibelius. This concert, co-presented by GPB and RiverCenter, will be recorded for future broadcast. 7:30 p.m., RiverCenter, Columbus.

Midday Music, Wednesday 3/4/09

As an aside: Please join me after hours for a new season of The ASO on GPB. Our Atlanta Symphony broadcasts resume Thursday, March 5 at the new time of 9 p.m. (with repeat broadcasts Sunday at 10 p.m.). The first two programs present music of "the three B's" (Bach, Beethoven and Brahms) with music director Robert Spano conducting. These concerts took place last fall to open the orchestra's 2008-2009 season. Tune in to GPB Radio or gpb.org.

And now today's Midday Music playlist:

11 AM

• Bantock: Heroic Ballads: Kishmul's Galley. Royal Phil, Handley. Hyperion 66630.
• Bantock: Pagan Symphony. Royal Phil, Handley. Hyperion 66630.
• Bach: Keyboard Concerto No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055. Angela Hewitt, Australian Chamber Orch, Tognetti. Hyperion 67308.

12 N

• Norwegian traditional: In My Reckless, Youthful Days; Wedding March from Gudbrandsdalen; I Know a Stronghold in Heaven. Trio Medieval. ECM 2003.
  
• Higdon: Concerto for Orchestra. Atlanta Sym, Spano. Telarc 80620.
• Geminiani: Concerto Grosso No. 4 in F (based on Corelli's Op. 5/4). Boston Baroque, Pearlman. Telarc 80698.
  

1 PM

• Bernstein: Candide Overture. Los Angeles Phil, Bernstein. DG 289 459 147.
  
• Vine: Piano Sonata No. 1: mvt 2. Joyce Yang. Harmonia Mundi 907405.
• Debussy: String Quartet in G minor. Belcea Quartet.
• Chabrier: Larghetto for horn and orchestra. Hermann Baumann, Gewandhaus Orch Leipzig, Masur. Philips 416 380.
  

Midday Music, Tuesday 3/3/09

11 AM

• Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major, K. 459. Malcolm Bilson, English Baroque Soloists, Gardiner. Archiv 415 111.
• Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 44/1. Guarneri String Quartet. Arabesque 6714.

12 N

• Grieg: Peer Gynt: Morning Mood; Anitra's Dance; In the Hall of the Mountain King. Philharmonia Orch, Davis. Sony 47281.
  
• Schumann: Fantasy in C mfor violin and piano, Op. 131. Jennifer Koh, Reiko Uchida. Cedille 073.
  
• Coleman: Trinity, fantasy for solo violin. Jennifer Koh. Cedille 073.
• Liebermann: Concerto for Flute and Orchestra: 1st mvt. Eugenia Zukerman, Dallas Sym, Litton. Delos 3256.
• Vivaldi: Chamber Sonata Op. 1/8. L'Arte dell'arco, Hogwood. DHM 77350.
  

1 PM

• Brahms: String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 111. Belcea Quartet, Kakuska. EMI 57661.
• Henselt: Variations de Concert sur "Quand je quittai la Normandie" from Meyerbeer's Robert le Diable. Marc-Andre Hamelin, BBC Scottish Sym, Brabbins. Hyperion 66717.
  

Midday Music, Monday 3/2/09

11 AM

• Huang Zi: Plum Blossoms in the Snow. Xuefei Yang. EMI 06322.
• Rimsky-Korsakov: The Snow Maiden, Suite. Scottish National Orch, N. Jarvi. Chandos 10369(2)X.
• Alfven: Symphony No. 3 in E major. Stockholm Phil, N. Jarvi. BIS 455.

12 N

• Farrenc: Melody in A-flat. Brigitte Engerer. Naive 5033.
• Dvorak: Cello Concerto in B minor. Gautier Capucon, Frankfurt Sym, P. Jarvi. Virgin 519035.
• Loieillet: Sonata in B minor. Sibelius Academy Baroque Ensemble. Ondine 736.

1 PM

• Khatchaturian: Masquerade, Suite. Scottish National Orch, N. Jarvi. Chandos 2023.
• Liszt: Die Taubenpost. Valentina Lisitsa. ACA Digital 20102
• Schubert: Fantasy in C major, D. 939. Jennifer Koh, Reiko Uchida. Cedille 073.

Midday Music, Thursday 2/26/09

11 AM

• Beethoven: String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat, Op. 130. Guarneri Quartet. Philips 422 059.
• Milhaud: Suite for clarinet, violin and piano. Klug, Tait, Hobson. Arabesque 6569.

12 N

• Liszt: Les Preludes (Symphonic Poem No. 3). Gewandhaus Orch, Masur. EMI 64850.
  
• Haydn: Die Schöpfung (The Creation): Beginning & end of Part 1. Chicago Sym Orch & Chorus, Lippert, Solti. London 443 445.
  
• Honegger: Pastoral d'été. New Zealand Sym, Yuasa. Naxos 8.555974.
  
• Verdi: Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore. Atlanta Sym Orch & Chorus, Shaw. Telarc 80333.
  
• Traditional (Spiritual): Glory; Deep River. Angela Brown. Albany 721.
  

1 PM

• Lauber: Four Medieval Dances for flute and harp. Laurel Zucker, Susan Jolles. Cantilena 66034.
  
• Korngold: Piano Quintet in E major, Op. 15. Forsberg, Lysell, Forsberg, Sparf, Lidstrom. DG 459 631.
  

Classical Concerts, February 24-March 3, 2009

Thursday, February 26

• Pianist and Augusta State professor Clara Park is soloist in Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Presented by the ASU Music Department, 7:30 Maxwell Theatre, Augusta State University.
• The Copland House Ensemble gives the first of two distinct performances presented by the Auburn Chamber Music Society. Hear Copland, Saint-Saens, Ravel, Milhaud and Stravinsky starting at 7:30, Goodwin Recital Hall, Auburn University.
• The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus - with guest soloists Janice Chandler, Thomas Cooley and Steven Humes - bring to life The Creation, Haydn's portrait of the beginning of the world. Set design by Anne Patterson; projection design by Adam Larsen; Robert Spano conducts. Repeats Saturday, both days at 8 p.m. in Atlanta's Symphony Hall.

Friday, February 27

• The Copland House Ensemble's bonus performance, with an all-new program. Presented by the Auburn Chamber Music Society at the Jule Collins Smith Art Museum, Auburn, Ala.
• The Male Choir of St. Petersburg showcases Russian repertoire with its 25 members, of whom four are deep-voiced basso profundos. 8 p.m., UGA Performing Arts Center, Athens.
• The Augusta Players present Stephen Sondheim's "fractured fairy tale" of a musical Into the Woods. Augusta. Runs February 27-March 1.
  

Saturday, February 28

• The Valdosta Symphony, Valdosta State University Concert Choir, VSO Chorus, VSU dance soloists and narrator James Schraeder perform King David, a biblical oratorio by Arthur Honegger. 8 p.m., Whitehead Auditorium, VSU, Valdosta. Repeats Sunday in Valdosta and Monday in Atlanta.
• The Atlanta Opera presents Verdi's Il Trovatore (The Troubador) at the Cobb Energy Centre, Atlanta. Repeats March 3, 6 and 8.
• The Atlanta Symphony again presents a semi-theatrical interpretation of Haydn's Creation: see Thursday above.
• As part of the 10th anniversary CSU Guitar Symposium, guitar duos Duo Spiritoso and Soloduo appear in Legacy Hall, RiverCenter, Columbus, 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 1

• The members of the Russian National Ballet Theatre dance and flutter their way through the story of Swan Lake, with Tchaikovsky's music. UGA Performing Arts Center, Athens.
• The Atlanta Chamber Players are in concert at Spivey Hall, Morrow, 3 p.m., with Beethoven's Serenade Op. 25, Poulenc's Trio for winds and piano, and Korngold's Piano Quintet.
• Valdostans repeat Honegger's King David in a multimedia, large-cast family concert at Valdosta State, 3 p.m. See Saturday above.
• Marko Feri and the Amadeus Duo are onstage at Legacy Hall, RiverCenter, Columbus, 7:30, as part of the CSU Guitar Symposium.
  

Monday, March 2

• Valdostans take King David on the road. Paul Neal leads the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and others in a multimedia production of Honegger's biblical oratorio. Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta.

Tuesday, March 3

• The Guarneri Quartet plays Haydn, Kodaly and Ravel at the Schwartz Center, Emory University, Atlanta, on its farewell tour.
  

Midday Music, Wednesday 2/25/09

11 AM

• Dvorak: "American" Quartet (String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96). Guarneri Quartet. Philips 420 803.
• Veracini: Violin Sonata in A-flat, Op. 1/7. Enrico Casazza, La Magnifica Comunita. Brilliant 93809.
• Saint-Saens: Clarinet Sonata, Op. 167. Sabine Meyer, Oleg Maisenberg. EMI 79787.

12 N

• Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue. Anne-Marie McDermott, Dallas Sym Orch, Brown. Bridge 9252.
• Cassado: Requiebros. Yuli Turovsky, I Musici. Analekta 9897.
  
• Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Act 2. Russian State Sym, Yablonsky. Naxos 8.555873-74.

1 PM

• Sondheim: A Little Night Music: Night Waltz; Send in the Clowns. Boston Pops Orch, Williams. Philips 2606.
• Honegger: Piano Concertino. Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Montreal Sym, Dutoit. London 452 448.
• Bach: Overture in the French Style, BWV 831. Joyce Yang. Harmonia Mundi 907405.
• Satie: Je te veux (I want you). Peter Fletcher. Centaur 2731.
  

Midday Music, Tuesday 2/24/09

Mardi Gras! Carnival! Shrove Tuesday! Whatever you call it, it's an excuse for a whirlwind global tour of classical party music. Break out the feathered masks and the skimpy samba outfits.

This week's concert list will follow shortly. On air I mentioned the Auburn Chamber Music Society's presentation of the Copland House Ensemble, Thursday 7:30 at Auburn University's Goodwin Hall and again with a different program Friday.

11 AM - Europe

• Schumann/Ravel: Carnival, Op. 9. Minnesota Orch, Oue. Reference 79.
  
• Liszt: Carnival of Pest (Hungarian Rhapsody No. 9, and that's Pest as in Budapest). Arthur Friedheim. Nimbus 8815.
  
• Raff: Symphony No. 11, "Winter": Carnival. Philharmonia Hungarica, Albert. CPO 999 536.
  
• Tarrega: Variations on "The Carnival of Venice." Xuefei Yang. EMI 06322.
  
• Glazunov: Carnival, Op. 45. USSR Sym Orch, Svetlanov. Melodiya 10-163.
  
• Chaminade: Valse Carnavalesque for two pianos. Bengt Forsberg, Peter Jablonski. DG 289 471 331.
  

12 N - Brazil and a little Mexico

• Milhaud: Le Boeuf sur le Toit (inspired by a Brazilian samba tune the French composer heard at Carnival, not by an actual bull on an actual roof). National Orch of Lille-Region Nord, Casadesus. Naxos 8.557287.
  
• Bonfa: Manha de Carnival, from Black Orpheus. I Salonisti. Sony 61731.
  
• Reed: La Fiesta Mexicana: Carnival. Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony, Corporon. (Bonus points if you can name the piece H. Owen Reed pays tribute to in the first couple of seconds of this movement.)
  
• Draganski: Trio from Rio. Rieder, Argiris, Honigberg. Albany 544.
  
• Machado: Musiques Populaires Bresiliennes: selections. Gary Schocker, Jason Vieaux. Azica 71215.
  

1 PM - North America

• Marsalis: At the Octoroon Balls, String Quartet No. 1 (about New Orleans festivities of sorts, though not Mardi Gras): mvts 3-7. Orion String Quartet. Sony 60979.
  
• Collins: Mardi Gras. Concordia Orch, Alsop. Albany 267.
• Abreu: Tico-Tico. Gary Schocker, Jason Vieaux. Azica 71215.

Midday Music, Monday 2/23/09

Psalms are at the heart of the second piece we hear today. Before each movement of his Cello Concerto (1932), California-born composer Frederick Jacobi cites a verse from Psalms 90-92.

1. Allegro Cantabile: "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations." Psalm 90:1
2. Allegretto: "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1
3. Allegro Ritmico: "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Your name, O Most High." Psalm 92:2

Hope you enjoy this gentle piece in its first outing on GPB.

In the noon hour, Beethoven's superlative "Emperor" Piano Concerto is followed by a short, familiar tune that is thought to resemble a bit of it: Bernstein's "Somewhere." Keep the middle movement of the concerto in mind till the end and do the four-note comparison yourself.

11 AM

• Rameau: Pieces de Clavecin en Concert No.1. Baroque Nouveau. Reference 118.
• Jacobi: Cello Concerto (1932). Alban Gerhardt, Barcelona Sym, Rickenbacher. Naxos 8.559434.
• Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G major, Op. 78. Isabelle Faust, Alexander Melnikov. Harmonia Mundi 901981.

12 N

• Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 9 in E major, Op. 14/1. Wilhelm Backhaus. Decca 433 882.
  
• Beethoven: "Emperor" Concerto (Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat). Alfred Brendel, London Phil, Haitink. Philips 420 347.
  
• Bernstein: "Somewhere," from West Side Story. Empire Brass. Telarc 80159.
  

1 PM

• Delalande: Suite No. 5 from Symphonies for the King's Suppers. La Simphonie du Marais, Reyne. Harmonia Mundi 901303.
• Milhaud: The Creation of the World (La Creation du Monde). National Orch of Lille-North Region/Pas de Calais, Casadesus. Naxos 8.557287.
  

Midday Music, Thursday 2/19/09

In the noon hour, WACG Augusta's Mary Ellen Cheatham speaks with Diane Wittry. Wittry is this season's fourth candidate for music director of the Augusta Symphony, and she leads that orchestra in concert Saturday night at First Baptist of Augusta.

11 AM

• Rameau: Pieces de Clavecin en Concerts: No. 3. Baroque Nouveau. Reference 118.
  
• Arensky: Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor. Claremont Trio. Tria 3860.
  
• Biber: Partita No. 5 from Harmonia Artificioso-Ariosa. Rare Fruits Council, Kraemer. Naive 3002.
  

12 N

• Gershwin: Embraceable You. Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Leslie Stifelman. Nonesuch 79464.
  
• Lalo: Two Aubades. Chamber Music Palm Beach. Klavier 11105.
  
• Wittry: Mist (excerpt). Slovak State Phil Kosice, Wittry.
• Interview with Diane Wittry
  
• Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor. David Oistrakh, Philharmonia Orch, Galliera. EMI 81487.
  
• Chopin: "Aeolian Harp" Etude in A-flat, Op. 25/1; Mazurka in F minor, Op. 68/4. Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Decca 466 357.
  

1 PM

• Tchaikovsky: Scherzo Burlesque, from Suite No. 2, "Caracteristique." Detroit Sym, Jarvi. Chandos 9454.
  
• Mozart: Piano Sonata in F major, K. 280. Mitsuko Uchida. Philips 420 186.
  
• Bartok: Rumanian Folk Dances, arr. four cellos. Matt Haimovitz, Uccello. Oxingale 2007.
  
• Haydn: Symphony No. 23 in G major. Academy of Ancient Music, Hogwood. L'Oiseau-Lyre 430 082.
  

Midday Music, Wednesday 2/18/09

For Georgia concert listings for the week, please scroll down to just below today's playlist.

11 AM

• Chopin: Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9/2. Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Decca 289 466 357.
• Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor. Philadelphia Orch, Eschenbach. Ondine 1076.

12 N

• Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 3/6, RV 356. Catherine Mackintosh, Academy of Ancient Music, Hogwood. L'Oiseau Lyre 414 554. (Note to all you Suzuki violinists: This is the "Vivaldi A Minor" of Book 4 fame.)
  
• Prokofiev: "Classical" Symphony (No. 1 in D major). London Sym, Gergiev. Philips 475 7655.
• Debussy: Pour le Piano. Jean-Yves Thibaudet. London 452 022.
• Mozart: Symphony No. 30 in D major, K. 202. Dresden State Orch, Davis. Philips 432 977.

1 PM

• Chopin: Prelude in D minor, Op. 28/24. Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Decca 289 466 357.
• Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G major. Robert McDuffie, Scottish Chamber Orch, Swensen. Telarc 80507.
  
• Still: Festive Overture. Royal Phil Orch, Lipkin. Cambria 1060.
  
• Assad, S.: Istanbul: Awakening and Turkish Dance. Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Sergio and Odair Assad. Nonesuch 79505.
• Waxman: City Montage. Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, London Sym, Litton. Nonesuch 79464.
  

Classical Concerts, February 17-22, 2009

This Saturday alone, there are five orchestral concerts going on in Georgia: the Rome Symphony in Rome, the Augusta Symphony in Augusta, both the New York Philharmonic and Atlanta Symphony orchestras in Atlanta, and don't forget the Ocmulgee Symphony in Hawkinsville. And that's just orchestras, and just Saturday!

Tuesday, February 17

• LaGrange College's Callaway Concert Series brings the Empire Brass to Callaway Auditorium, LaGrange, tonight (Tuesday) at 7:30.

Wednesday, February 18

• Renowned violinist and Macon native Robert McDuffie performs at Mercer University's Fickling Hall, Macon. 7:30, tickets at the door or (478) 301-5470. Mercer faculty and students get in free.

February 19, 21 & 22

• Violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg plays Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto with the Atlanta Symphony. Mei-Ann Chen also leads the orchestra in Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5. Atlanta's Symphony Hall.

Friday, February 20

• Award-winning 21-year-old Swiss pianist Louis Schwizgebel-Wang performs Mozart, Martin, Chopin and Schumann at 8 p.m. in Ramsey Concert Hall, UGA Performing Arts Center, Athens.

Saturday, February 21

• The New York Philharmonic visits Emory's Schwartz Center in Atlanta to perform Berlioz, Schumann and Tchaikovsky. This concert is sold out.
  
• The Ocmulgee Symphony performs Mozart's 40th, Hummel's Fantasie, Bartok's Rumanian Folk Dances, Copland's Quiet City and Prokofiev's Classical Symphony, with conductor Chuck Quinn, violist Ulisses Silva and trumpet soloist Phil Elkins. 7:30, Hawkinsville Opera House.
• Acclaimed pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet plays Debussy and Ravel at Spivey Hall, Morrow. As of Tuesday noon, tickets are still available.
  
• The Rome Symphony and music director Richard Prior continue the season with Bruch's Violin Concerto, featuring concertmaster Sinisa Ciric, and Beethoven's First Symphony. 7:30, Rome City Auditorium.
• Final music-director candidate Diane Wittry leads the Augusta Symphony in Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto with soloist Kurt Nikkanen as well as Franck's Symphony in D minor and Mozart's Magic Flute Overture. 7:30, First Baptist of Augusta.
• The Roland Hayes Museum and the Music Guild present the Chattanooga Choral Society for the Preservation of African American Song singing spirituals, 7 p.m. at the Harris Arts Center’s Ratner Theater, Calhoun, (706) 629-2599.

Sunday, February 22

• The Augusta Symphony's Family Fun series presents a Classical Kids production, "Mozart's Magnificent Voyage," portraying the genius through the eyes of his young son, Karl, in a concert-and-story featuring 20 excerpts from Mozart's music. Peformance 3 p.m.; pre-concert entertainment 2:15. Maxwell Theatre, Augusta State University.
  
• The King's Singers - the acclaimed British male vocal ensemble - perform at Roswell United Methodist Church, 4 p.m. Tickets through itickets or from the church's arts office, (770) 594-0512.
• The Macon Concert Association presents the Juilliard-trained women of the Claremont Trio in performance, 7:30, Burden Parlor, Wesleyan College, Macon. Tickets available at the door.
  
• In this 200th anniversary of Haydn's death, music director and Haydn expert John Hsu leads the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra in "Symphonies for the Esterhazy Palace: A Tribute to the Grandeur of Haydn." Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Buckhead, Atlanta.
  

Midday Music, Tuesday 2/17/09

11 AM

• Saint-Saens: Havanaise. Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, New York Chamber Sym, Schwarz. EMI 49726.
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C major. Gewandhaus Orch Leipzig, Masur. Philips 426 782.
• Saint-Saens: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, New York Chamber Sym, Schwarz. EMI 49726.
• Chopin: Nocturne No. 1 in B-flat, Op. 9/1. Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Decca 289 466 357.

12 N

• Elgar: Sospiri (Sighs). English Chamber Orch, Osian Ellis, Goodwin. Harmonia Mundi 907258.
  
• Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata in G major, K. 13. Yundi Li. DG 6090.
  
• Franck: Symphony in D minor. Orchestre des Champs Elysees, Herreweghe. Harmonia Mundi 901771.
• Piazzolla/Cohen: Nuevo Tango. Quartet San Francisco. ViolinJazz JCCD104.
  

1 PM

• Bantock: Pierrot of the Minute, Comedy Overture. Bournemouth Sym, Del Mar. Chandos 6566.
  
• Schumann: Symphonic Variations for piano. Jean-Yves Thibaudet. London 444 338.
  
• Rozsa: Theme and Variations for Violin, Cello and Orchestra. Robert McDuffie, Lynn Harrell, Atlanta Sym, Levi. Telarc 80518.
  

Midday Music, Monday 2/16/09

For this American holiday Midday Music includes an infectiously propulsive trio by 40-year-old American composer Patrick Zimmerli, rags by William Bolcom and Billy Joel, short bits of Copland and Gershwin and Still and Coleridge-Taylor, and a fantasia on Sousa themes. Happy Presidents Day.

11 AM

• Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture. Danish National Sym, Dausgaard. Chandos 10416.
• Haydn: String Quartet in C major, Op. 76/3, "Emperor": Variations. Leipzig String Quartet. MDG 307 1362.
• Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme. Zuill Bailey, San Francisco Ballet Orch, West. Telarc 80724.
• Leonarda: Sonata No. 12 for Violin and Continuo. Bizarrie Armoniche. Opus111 30341.
• Still: Folk Suite No. 2 for flute, clarinet, bassoon and harp. Sierra Winds, Kim DiLibero. Cambria 1803.
  

12 N

• Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine. Bournemouth Sym, Alsop. Naxos 559031.
• Zimmerli: Piano Trio No. 1. Scott Yoo, Michael Mermagen, John Novacek. Arabesque 6785.
• Gershwin: Preludes. Washington Saxophone Quartet. Americus 20001014.
• Bolcom: Graceful Ghost Rag. Andres Cardenes, Luz Manriquez. Ocean Records 103.
• Billy Joel: Root Beer Rag. Jeff Senley, O-zone Percussion Group. Klavier 11115.

1 PM

• Coleridge-Taylor/Powell: Deep River. Rachel Barton Pine, Matthew Hagle. Cedille 097.
• Mozart: Magic Flute Overture. Scottish Chamber Orch, Mackerras. Telarc 80345.
• Copland: Quiet City. Orpheus Chamber Orch, Raymond Mase, Stephen Taylor. DG 427 335.
• Liebling: Fantasia on Sousa Themes. Rachel Barton Pine, Matthew Hagle. Cedille 097.
• Dvorak: Romance in F minor. Gil Shaham, Orpheus Chamber Orch. DG 449 923.
• Joplin: Something Doing. Washington Saxophone Quartet. Americus 20001014.

Midday Music, Thursday 2/12/09

Quite a day, that February 12, 1809. It was exactly 200 years ago that both Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin were born. I had no luck locating musical tie-ins for Darwin, though I did come across a short piano piece called Endangered Species. Maybe someone could dash off a "Genetic" Symphony or a Galapagos Rag? . . . As for Abraham Lincoln, Performance Today devoted this morning's show to him and his musical tastes and contemporaries and settings of his words, including Aaron Copland's Lincoln Portrait. If you missed that, for a few days you can still hear the hour at the PT website. On Midday Music we'll add This Sacred Ground, a setting of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address by American composer David Diamond.

Mostly this playlist connects to performers or rep to be heard in concert in Georgia over the next few days. Please see our list of classical concerts below for details. Pianist Roberto Plano in Augusta, the Macon Symphony in Macon, the Hilliard Ensemble at Spivey Hall, the Cobb Symphony in Kennesaw, a Broadway pops concert in Columbus and more!

(And please join host Eric Nauert for Friday's thematic Midday Music on GPB. Playlist here.)

11 AM

• Liszt: Transcendental Etude No. 11, "Harmonies du Soir." Evgeny Kissin. Philips 456 871.
  
• Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D major. Cincinnati Sym, Jarvi. Telarc 80585.
  

12 N

• Gombert: Missa Media Vita: Kyrie & Gloria. Hilliard Ensemble. ECM 1884.
  
• Bruch: Octet for violins, violas, cello & bass. Kodaly & Auer Quartets, Zsolt Fejervari. Naxos 8.557270.
  
• Dvorak: Carnival, Concert Overture. New Jersey Sym, Macal. Delos 3314.
• Tchaikovsky: Waltz from Eugene Onegin. State Sym Orch, Svetlanov. Melodiya 411-12.
  

1 PM

• Telemann: Viola Concerto in G major. Florian Deutler, Musica Antiqua of Cologne. Archiv 289 463 074.
  
• Mozart: Piano Sonata in B-flat, K. 333. Andreas Haefliger. Sony 46748.
  
• Diamond: This Sacred Ground (setting Lincoln's Gettysburg Address). Seattle Sym & Chorale, Seattle Girls' Choir, Northwest Boychoir, Erich Parce, Schwarz. Delos 3141.
  

Classical Concerts, February 12-17, 2009

February 12-13

• The Augusta Symphony's Pops! at the Bell series continues with Spectrum and a tribute to Motown's best, including hits by Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and the Four Tops, Thursday and Friday, 7:30, Bell Auditorium, Augusta.

Friday, February 13

• The Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society presents pianist Roberto Plano (winner, Cleveland International Piano Competition; finalist, Van Cliburn International Competition) in music of Schumann, Mozart and Liszt at Augusta State's Maxwell Theatre 8 p.m.; pre-concert talk 7:15.

Saturday, February 14, Valentine's Day

• The Macon Symphony and conductor Adrian Gnam offer Telemann's Viola Concerto with Ulisses Silva, Vaughan Williams' Tuba Concerto with Heather Noyes Richter and Sibelius's Second Symphony. 7:30, Grand Opera House, Macon.
• The Hilliard Ensemble (an "otherworldly" male vocal quartet) sing a program of early and modern Christian music from the Roman, English, Greek, Russian and Armenian traditions. Spivey Hall, Morrow, 8:15.
• The "Three Phantoms" - the men who enjoyed the longest runs as the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera in New York - join the Columbus Symphony and conductor George Del Gobbo for a musical tour of the best of Broadway. RiverCenter, Columbus.
• The Cobb Symphony performs Dvorak's Carnival Overture, Shostakovich's Cello Concerto with 22-year-old guest soloist Tina Guo and Brahms' Third Symphony at the Murray Arts Center, Kennesaw. Repeats 3 p.m. Sunday, February 15.

Sunday, February 15

• Dazzling violinist Hilary Hahn, with pianist Valentina Lisitsa, performs Ysaye, Ives, Brahms and Bartok at Morrow's Spivey Hall. Sold out.
• Venice meets violins in the Atlanta Symphony matinee family concert "Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery." 1:30 & 3:30, Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta.

Monday, February 16

• The Tasman String Quartet from New Zealand gives a free concert of Haydn, Bartok and Schubert in Auburn, Ala., 7:30, Goodwin Hall on the campus of Auburn University. (The group remains in residence at the university until March 15.)
  

Tuesday, February 17

• The famed Empire Brass come to LaGrange, presented by LaGrange College's Callaway Concert Series. 7:30, Callaway Auditorium.
  

Midday Music, Wednesday 2/11/09

To catch up for a moment: GPB Radio's short, sweet Winter Membership Campaign took place February 6-9, Friday through Monday, and thanks to you we reached the member goals for our music shows - and our overall goals as well! Thank you for your generous response.

Midday Music for Friday the 6th and Tuesday the 10th, were programmed by my colleagues at WSVH Savannah. See those playlists here. If you have questions about anything you heard Monday the 9th (or anything else!) please write middaymusic@gpb.org.

And on to today:

11 AM

• Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. Concerto Italiano, Alessandrini. Naive 30412.
• Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major. Hilary Hahn, Baltimore Sym, Zinman. Sony 60584.

12 N

• Faure: Requiem: Pie Jesu. Empire Brass. Telarc 80305.
• Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez: Adagio. Nortbert Kraft, Northern Chamber Orch. Naxos 8.557122-23.
• Vaughan Williams: Tuba Concerto. Patrick Harrild, London Sym, Thomson. Chandos 9262/3.
  
• Wagner: Prelude and Liebestod (Isolde's Lovedeath), from Tristan and Isolde. Cincinnati Sym, Lopez-Cobos. Telarc 80379.
  
• Part: Da pacem Domine. Hilliard Ensemble. ECM 1930.
  

1 PM

• Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet: excerpts from the second half of the ballet. Berlin Phil, Abbado. DG 289 453 439.
  
• Tchaikovsky: Nocturne in D minor for cello and orchestra. Zuill Bailey, San Francisco Ballet Orch, West. Telarc 80724.
  

Midday Music, Thursday 2/5/09

In the noon hour, I talk with bass-baritone Eric Owens (left) and soprano Christine Brewer (right), opera stars who are in Georgia to sing scenes by Richard Strauss with the Atlanta Symphony.

We also hear from Albany Symphony music director Claire Fox Hillard about what's coming up Saturday at Albany Municipal Auditorium in the orchestra's program "Oboe, Strings and Things."

Looking for more concert info for this weekend in Georgia? Try here!

11 AM

• Mendelssohn: Cello Sonata No. 2 in D major. Gautier Capucon, Gabriela Montero. EMI 89241.
• Mozart: Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201. English Baroque Soloists, Gardiner. Philips 412 736.
• Bernstein: Diaspora Games, from Concerto for Orchestra, "Jubilee Games." New Zealand Sym, Judd. Naxos 8.559100.

12 N

• Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor. Daniel Hope, Chamber Orch of Europe. DG 477 6634.
• Interview with Christine Brewer and Eric Owens
  
• Strauss: Four Last Songs: the last two songs. Christine Brewer, Atlanta Sym, Runnicles. Telarc 80661.
• Interview with Claire Fox Hillard
• Tchaikovsky: Waltzes from Serenade for Strings and Sleeping Beauty. New York Phil, Masur. Teldec 94571.

1 PM

• Glinka: A Life for the Tsar: Krakoviak. National Sym Orch of Ukraine, Kuchar. Naxos 8.554844.
• Dvorak: Romantic Pieces, Op. 75. Sergiu Schwartz, Alec Chien. Romeo 7263.
• Weiss: Lute Sonata No. 38 in C major. Robert Barto. Naxos 8.554833.

Midday Music, Wednesday 2/4/09

11 AM

• Sammartini: Maurice Steger et al. Harmonia Mundi 905266.
  
• Saint-Saens: Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor. Sergiu Schwartz, Alec Chien. Romeo 7263.
  
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 2, "Hymn of Praise" (Lobgesang): first half. Gewandhaus Orch, Chailly. Decca 475 6939.
  

12 N

• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 2, "Hymn of Praise" (Lobgesang): second half. Gewandhaus Orch, Leipzig Opera Chorus, Schwanewilms, Schnitzer, Seiffert, Chailly. Decca 475 6939.
• Lauridsen: O Magum Mysterium, arr. wind ensemble. Columbus State Univ Wind Ens, Rumbelow. Summit 397.
  
• Geminiani: Concerto Grosso No. 4 in F major (based on Corelli Violin Sonata Op. 5/4). Boston Baroque, Pearlman. Telarc 80698.
• Verhulst: The Bandit, Overture. Netherlands Radio Sym Orch, Steen. NM 92090.
  

1 PM

• Beethoven: "Pastorale" Sonata (Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28). Murray Perahia. Sony 326462.
• Smetana: The Moldau. Milwaukee Sym, Macal. Telarc 80265.
• Part: Fratres for eight cellos. I Fiamminghi, Werthen. Telarc 80387.
  

Classical Concerts, February 3-8, 2008

Tuesday, February 3

• The LaGrange Symphony offers "Classical Gems" (Mozart's Don Giovanni Overture, Spoher's Second Clarinet Concerto with Staci Culbreth as soloist, and a Beethoven symphony). Patricio Cobos conducts. 7:30, Callaway Auditorium, LaGrange College.

Thursday, February 5

• Columbus State violin faculty Sergiu Schwartz and friends (faculty pianist Gila Goldstein, violist Maureen Gallagher and cellist Andre Gaskins) play chamber music by Mozart, Brahms and Mendelssohn on Columbus State's Legacy Live series. 7:30, RiverCenter. Tickets from RiverCenter, details from CSU's Music Department.

February 5 & 7

• Soprano Christine Brewer and bass Eric Owens join conductor Donald Runnicles and the Atlanta Symphony for an all-Strauss program featuring scenes from the operas Capriccio, Elektra, Die Frau ohne Schatten and Salome. 8 p.m., Atlanta's Symphony Hall.

Saturday, February 7

• The Albany Symphony, led by Claire Fox Hillard, presents "Oboes, Strings & Things": Tchaikovsky's String Serenade, Vaughan Williams' Tallis Fantasia, Arvo Part's Fratres, Marcello's Oboe Concerto with soloist Susan Brashier, and a new piece, Bolus Hook, by orchestra member Russell Brown. 8 p.m., Albany Municipal Auditorium.

Sunday, February 8

• St. John Church and Concerts with a Cause present the Atlanta Sacred Chorale (Eric Nelson, director) in choral treasures by Mozart, Bainton and Lauridsen, plus spirituals. Free admission; nursery provided; an offering will be taken for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Augusta. 4 p.m., St. John United Methodist, Augusta.
  

Midday Music, Tuesday 2/3/09

Composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was born 200 years ago today in the German city of Leipzig. Growing up in a comfortable, cultured family, he and his favorite sister Fanny both soon showed themselves to be musical prodigies. His life was short, but he left behind dozens of hours of music that bring listeners pleasure to this day. Today on GPB's Midday Music it's wall-to-wall Mendelssohn.

11 AM

• Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Overture. Vienna Phil, Thielemann. DG 289 474 5022.
• Mendelssohn: On Wings of Song, Op. 34/2. Mischa Maisky, Sergio Tiempo. DG 289 471 565.
• Mendelssohn: Concerto in D minor for Violin, Piano and Orchestra. Gidon Kremer, Martha Argerich, Orpheus Chamber Orch. DG 427 338.

12 N

• Mendelssohn: Wedding March (from his incidental music to A Midsummer Night's Dream). London Sym, Wordsworth. Virgin 391372.
  
• Hensel, Fanny Mendelssohn: Piano Sonata in C minor (1843). Louise Cheadle. AW Promotions 2004.
• Mendelssohn: "Reformation" Symphony (No. 5 in D major, Op. 107). Philharmonia Orch, Weller. Chandos 10224(3).

1 PM

• Mendelssohn: "Duetto" (Songs without Words, Op. 38/6). Murray Perahia. Sony 66511.
• Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49. Trio Wanderer. Harmonia Mundi 901961.

Midday Music, Monday 2/2/09

Yes, there's a lot of Mendelssohn on the playlist, and no, it's not because our database is stuck at M.

Felix Mendelssohn was born February 3, 1809. He began cranking out masterpieces as a teen, so though he didn't live to see his 40th birthday he left more than enough gems to sprinkle across a week. On GPB's Midday Music we'll observe his bicentennial all week with highlights.

11 AM

• Mendelssohn: Sweet Remembrance. Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders. EMI 56602.
• Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 12. Juilliard String Quartet. Sony 60579.
• Marcello: Oboe Concerto in D minor. John Abberger, Tafelmusik, Lamon. Analekta 9811.
• Strauss: Capriccio: Prelude (sextet arr. string orchestra). New Stockholm Chamber Orch, Salonen. CBS 44702.

12 N

• Saint-Saens. Oboe Sonata, Op. 166. Ensemble Villa Musica. MDG 304 395.
• Mendelssohn: "Italian" Symphony (No. 4 in A major). Berlin Phil, Levine. DG 427 670.
• Geminiani: Concerto Grosso No. 12 in D minor, Variations on "La Follia," based on Corelli's Violin Sonata Op. 5/12. Boston Baroque, Pearlman. Telarc 80698.

1 PM

• Hanson: Symphony No. 2, "Romantic." Saint Louis Sym, Slatkin. EMI 47850.
• Mendelssohn: Andante and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14. Lydia Artimiw. Chandos 8326.
• Mahler: Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor. Cleveland Orch, Dohnanyi. London 425 438.