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.

Thursday, January 28














Osvaldo Golijov and Sarah Zaslaw at GPB, January 27, 2010. He is in Georgia for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's performance of his Suite from Youth without Youth.

11 AM
  • Schubert: String Quintet in C. Belcea Quartet, Valerin Erben. EMI 67025.
  • Chopin: Mazurka in F minor, Op. 63/2. Vassily Primakov. Bridge 9289.
12 N
  • Abels, M.: Global Warming. Chicago Sinfonietta, Freeman. Cedille 9000 066.
  • Golijov: Air to Air: Wah Habbibi (My Beloved). Silk Road Ensemble. World Village 468095.
  • Interview with composer Osvaldo Golijov
  • Golijov: Air to Air: Aiini Taqtiru (My Eyes Weep). Silk Road Ensemble. World Village 468095.
  • Schubert: Symphony No. 3 in D major. Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Abbado. DG 423 653.
1 PM

Wednesday, January 27

(Concert listings here.)

11 AM
  • Wallen: Remember, Marimba. Thomas Burritt. Bridge 9311.
  • Tallis: Why fum'th in flight? Atlanta Sym Chamber Chorus, Mackenzie. Telarc 80676.
  • Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis. Atlanta Sym Orch, Spano. Telarc 80676.
  • Beethoven: String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95, "Serioso." Emerson String Quartet. DG 423 398.
  • Rossini: The Barber of Seville, Overture. Concerto Italiano, Alessandrini. Naive 30363.
12 N
  • Elgar: In the South (Alassio). London Phil, Solti. London 443 856.
  • Piazzolla: Rio Sena; Sentido Unico. Rosa Antonelli. Albany 1140.
  • Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488. Leon Fleisher, Stuttgart Chamber Orch. Sony 435052.
1 PM
  • Mendelssohn: "Italian" Symphony (No. 4 in A). New Philharmonia Orch, Muti. EMI 81788.
  • Paganini: Caprice No. 4 in C minor for Solo Violin, Op. 1/4. Augustin Hadelich. Avie 2180.
  • Vivaldi: Lute Concerto in D major, RV 93. Rolf Lislevand and friends. Naive 30429.

Tuesday, January 26

11 AM

  • Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique. Berlin Philharmonic, Simon Rattle. EMI 50999 2 16224 0.
12 N
  • Bach: Flute Sonata in C major, BWV 1033. Paula Robison, Kenneth Cooper, Timothy Eddy. Bach Guild 1493.
  • Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C major. Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, Bruggen. Philips 434 029.
  • Burritt: Duo Concertante for clarinet and percussion (2006). John Bruce Yeh, Molly Yeh, Columbus State Univ Wind Ensemble, Rumbelow. Naxos 8.572319.
1 PM
  • Dvorak: Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 81. Andreas Haefliger, Takacs Quartet. Decca 289 466 197.
  • Heinichen: Concerto a 4 in G major for oboe, bassoon, cello and harpsichord. Epoca Barocca. CPO 777 115.

Monday, January 25

11 AM

  • Gimenez: La Boda de Luis Alonso. Linhares, Obradovic, Migy, Stauffer. Phoenix Records.
  • Ruehr, E.: String Quartet No. 4 (2005): Minuet. Cypress String Quartet. From the Cypress String Quartet's new CD of Elena Ruehr's quartets, How She Danced.
  • Mozart: Symphony No. 36 in C, "Linz," K. 425. Prague Phil, Belohlavek. Harmonia Mundi 901891.
12 N
  • Dvorak: Song to the Moon, arr. cello and orchestra. Ophelie Gaillard, Royal Phil, Redmond. Atlas AR AP001.
  • Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D. Boston Baroque, Pearlman. Telarc 80354.
  • Lyapunov: Rhapsody on Ukrainian Themes. Hamish Milne, BBC Scottish Sym, Brabbins. Hyperion 67326.
  • Shen: The Stream Flows. Scott Conklin. Albany 1138.
1 PM
  • Khatchaturian: Gayaneh, Suite. Scottish National Orch, Jarvi. Chandos 2023.
  • Bernstein: Serenade for violin, strings, harp and percussion. Vadim Gluzman, Sao Paolo Sym, Neschling. BIS 1662.
  • Grieg: Ave Maris Stella. Gabrieli Consort, McCreesh. DG 477 7635.

Concert Calendar, January 22-31

Friday, January 22

  • Bang on a Can All Stars and percussionist Glenn Kotche perform at Emory University's Schwartz Center in Atlanta.
  • Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats are at Georgia Southern University.
  • National touring production of Camelot opens at Macon's Grand Opera House. Repeats Saturday.
  • Jean-Yves Thibaudet plays Khatchaturian with the Atlanta Symphony and Robert Spano conducts Sibelius's First Symphony and Finlandia. Symphony Hall, Atlanta. Repeats Saturday.
Saturday, January 23
  • Shizuo Kuwahara leads Symphony Orchestra Augusta in Bruckner's Fourth Symphony and Saint-Saens's Cello Concerto No. 1 with Yanghee Lee as soloist. Ms. Lee has been principal cellist in Augusta but is taking a job with the Bamberg Symphony in Germany; this is her last appearance with SOA.
  • The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players present G&S's Pirates of Penzance at the Ferst Center for the Arts, Georgia Tech campus, Atlanta.
  • Political comedy troupe the Capitol Steps are at Atlanta's Rialto Center.
  • Organist Gunnar Idenstam performs at Spivey Hall, Clayton State campus, Morrow.
  • Pianist and composer Joe Chapman gievs a free concert in Hoag Auditorium, North Georgia College and State University, Dahlonega, to mark the bicentennial of Chopin and Schumann's births.
Sunday, January 24
Tuesday, January 26
  • Music in a pub: the Atlanta Chamber Players play music of Bach and Carter and present a staged performance of Stravinsky's A Soldier's Tale with actors and dancers at the New American Shakespeare Tavern, Atlanta.
Thursday, January 28
  • Guest trumpeter Robert Sullivan joins the Columbus State University Wind Ensemble and conductor Robert Rumbelow in a free concert, RiverCenter, Columbus.
  • Air Force Reserve Concert Band is at Georgia Southern University.
  • The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Vaughan Williams' Tallis Fantasia and music of Golijov. Repeats Friday and Saturday.
Saturday, January 30
Sunday, January 31

Thursday, January 21


11 AM

  • Various (Ottoman/improvised): Tracks 1-5 from the album Istanbul. Hesperion XXI, guests, Savall. Alia Vox 9870.
  • Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor. David Oistrakh, Philharmonia Orch, Galliera. EMI 81487.
  • Handel: Organ Concerto in F major, Op. 4/5. Bob van Asperen, Orch of the Age of Enlightenment. Virgin 45174.
12 N
  • Various (Ottoman/improvised): Tracks 6-8 from the album Istanbul. Hesperion XXI, guests, Savall. Alia Vox 9870.
  • Brahms: Piano Pieces (Klavierstucke), Op. 118. Nicholas Angelich. Virgin 379302.
  • Bloch: Baal Shem Suite "Three Pictures of Chassidic Life." Zina Schiff, Royal Scottish National Orch, Serebrier. Naxos 8.557757.
1 PM
  • Marquez: Danzon No. 2, Mexico. Simon Bolivar Youth Orch of Venezuela, Dudamel. DG B0013458.
  • Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor. Vienna Piano Trio. Nimbus 5553.
  • Various (Ottoman/improvised): Tracks 9-11 from the album Istanbul. Hesperion XXI, guests, Savall. Alia Vox 9870.

Wednesday, January 20

11 AM

  • Chopin: "Revolutionary" Etude in C minor, Op. 10/12. Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Decca 289 466 357.
  • Ravel: Sonatine. Jean-Yves Thibaudet. London 433 515.
  • Copland: Clarinet Concerto. Laura Ardan, Nashville Sym, Gambill. Naxos 8.559069.
  • Beethoven: String Quartet No. 4 in C minor, Op. 18/4. Cleveland Quartet. Telarc 80414.
12 N
  • Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Stephen Hough, Dallas Sym, Litton. Hyperion 67501/2.
  • Weill: Little Threepenny Music. Members of the London Sym Orch, Thomas. CBS 44529.
  • Sibelius: Finlandia. Gothenburg Sym, Laulun Ystavat Male Choir, Jarvi. BIS 314.
1 PM
  • Lang, D.: Cheating, Lying, Stealing. Bang on a Can. Canteloupe 21010.
  • Guryan: Chopsticks Variations. Margo Guryan. Oglio 81619.
  • Mozart: Divertimento in D for strings, K. 136. Freiburg Baroque Orch, Mullejans. Harmonia Mundi 901809.

Tuesday, January 19

11 AM

  • Delalande: Concert de Trompettes, from Symphonies for the King's Suppers. La Simphonie du Marais, Reyne. Harmonia Mundi 901303.
  • Villa-Lobos: Suite Populaire Bresilienne. Norbert Kraft. Naxos 8.553987.
  • Saint-Saens: Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor. Sol Gabetta, Munich Radio Orch, Rasilainen. RCA 75912.
  • Delibes: Les Filles de Cadix, arr. cello and orchestra. Sol Gabetta, Prague Phil, Olivieri-Munroe. RCA 359622.
12 N
  • Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance, Overture. Scottish Chamber Orch, Faris. Nimbus 5066.
  • Mendelssohn: Octet in E-flat for strings, Op. 20. Leipzig String Quartet and friends. MDG 307 1057.
  • Loewe: Camelot, Medley. Richard Hayman and His Orchestra. Naxos 8.555015.
1 PM
  • Mason: Ballade and Barcarolle. Kenneth Boulton. Naxos 8.559142.
  • Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39. Atlanta Sym, Levi. Telarc 80246.

Monday, January 18

11 AM

  • Beethoven: Egmont Overture. New York Phil, Masur. Teldec 9031 77313.
  • Dvorak: Symphony No. 9, "From the New World." Cincinnati Sym, Jarvi. Telarc 80616.
12 N
  • Roumain, D. (DBR): Quartet No. 5, "Rosa Parks": mvts 1-2 (Klap Ur Handz; "I made up my mind not to move"). Lark Quartet. Endeavour 1918.
  • Still: Symphony No. 4, "Autochthonous" (1947). Fort Smith Symphony, Jeter. Naxos 8.559603.
  • Ellington/Klatka: Duke Ellington Tribute. Denver Brass. Klavier 77034.
1 PM
  • Stenhammar: Excelsior! symphonic overture. Gothenburg Sym, Jarvi. DG 445 857.
  • Dvorak: "American" Quartet in F, arr. wind quintet. Ma'alot Quintet. MDG 345 1356.
  • Tansman: Triptyque: finale. Quatuor Elysee. Naxos 8.570235.

Thursday, January 14

11 AM

  • Gershwin: It Ain't Necessarily So, arr. piano trio. Trio Solisti. Bridge 9296.
  • Mozart (age 13): Serenade in D, K. 100. Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Marriner. Philips 426 388.
  • Piazzolla: Four Seasons in Buenos Aires, arr. piano trio. Trio Solisti. Bridge 9296.
12 N
  • Finzi: Eclogue for piano and strings. Martin Jones, English String Orch, Boughton. Nimbus 7037.
  • Bogdanovic: Sevdalinka for string quartet and guitar duo (1997). Daedalus Quartet; Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo. MSR Classics 1298.
  • Fesch: Concerto No. 1 in D major. Musica ad Rhenum. NM Classics 92054.
  • Beethoven: "Appassionata" Sonata (Piano Sonata in F minor, Op. 57). Fazil Say. Naive 5016.
1 PM
  • Mendelssohn: Cello Sonata No. 2 in D major. Mischa Maisky, Sergio Tiempo. DG.
  • Columbus Symphony Orchestra music director George Del Gobbo in conversation on Shostakovich's Symphony No. 11(details on the CSO's Saturday concert here)
  • Shostakovich: Symphony No. 11 in G minor, "The Year 1905": 3rd mvt, "In Memoriam." Russian National Orch, Pletnev. PentaTone 5186 076.
  • Gillingham: Concertino for Four Percussion and Wind Ensemble (1997). Georgia's own Columbus State University Wind Ensemble, with conductor Robert Rumbelow. Naxos 8.572319.

Wednesday, January 13

11 AM

  • GPB's live coverage of Gov. Sonny Perdue's State of the State address
12 N
  • Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme. Zuill Baley, San Francisco Ballet Orch, West. Telarc 80724.
  • Turina: Piano Trio No. 2 in B minor. Trio Solisti. Bridge 9296.
  • Strauss: Don Juan. Vienna Phil, Dohnanyi. London 430 508.
  • Poulenc: Capriccio after The Masked Ball. Roland Pontinen, Love Dervinger. BIS 593.
1 PM
  • Leclair: Violin Sonata in D major, Op. 9/3. Simon Standage, Nicholas Parle. Chandos 0726.
  • Raff: Symphony No. 11, "Winter." Philharmonia Hungarica, Albert. CPO 999 536.

Concert Calendar, January 12-21

Highlights from classical concerts across Georgia, January 12-21. Information is believed accurate but has not been certified by a notary. Please check details before you head out. But do head out! Live music by live people. Get some.


Tuesday, January 12
  • Tuesday’s Music Live, America’s largest luncheon concert series, resumes its 22nd season with a free concert featuring the Augusta Symphony String Quartet. Noon, St. Paul’s Church, downtown Augusta. (Next concert is January 26 with ETA3.)
Wednesday, January 13
  • Mercer University’s McDuffie Center for Strings continues its fine series of free concerts with violinist Amy Schwartz Moretti and pianist Elizabeth Pridgen at Fickling Hall on the Macon campus, 7:30. (478) 301-5751.
Friday, January 15
  • The Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society and Augusta State University present the group that New York Magazine called “the most exciting piano trio in America”: Trio Solisti. Program: Rachmaninoff’s Trio in G minor, Brahms’s Trio in C major, Turina’s Trio in B minor and Piazzolla’s Four Seasons. 8:00, Maxwell Theatre, ASU campus, Augusta.
  • You’ll be hearing a lot this year about two giants of Romantic music born 200 years ago, in 1810. First up in Emory University’s Chopin/ Schumann Bicentennial Celebration Series from the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta: pianist Laura Gordy plays solo Chopin, and clarinetist Laura Ardan and horn player Brice Andrus join in for Schumann. Noon, Carlos Museum, Atlanta. Free.
Saturday, January 16
  • The Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents two great symphonies on a program called, coincidentally, Two Great Symphonies. They're Mahler’s Symphony No. 10 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11, "The Year 1905." Music director George Del Gobbo conducts. Bill Heard Theatre, RiverCenter, Columbus, 7:30.
Sunday, January 17
  • The Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra makes its Atlanta premiere at Georgia Tech’s Ferst Center. It’s an evening of Tchaikovsky from the orchestra that makes its home in the Tchaikovsky Hall of the fabled Moscow Conservatory. With violinist Nadezda Tokareva, cellist Julian Schwarz, conductor Alexei Kornienko. 5 p.m.
January 19-20
  • The Knights of the Round Table descend upon Columbus at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Lerner & Loewe’s masterpiece Camelot, 7:30 both evenings.
Wednesday, January 20
  • Cellist Andres Díaz gives a free recital, 7:30 p.m., Legacy Hall, RiverCenter, presented by Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music.
Thursday, January 21
  • And CSU’s Schwob School of Music gets in on the anniversary action with part 1 of its Chopin & Schumann 200th Anniversary Series, 7:30 p.m. in Legacy Hall, RiverCenter, Columbus.

Tuesday, January 12

11 AM

  • Elgar: Violin Concerto in B minor. Nikolaj Znaider, Staatskapelle Dresden, Davis. RCA 88697 60588.
12 N
  • Reich: Variations for Vibes, Pianos and Strings: Fast. London Sinfonietta, Pierson. Nonesuch 406780.
  • Piazzolla: Le Grand Tango. Trio Solisti. Bridge 9296.
  • Josquin: Ave Maria. Gabrieli Consort, McCreesh. DG 477 7635.


Monday, January 11

11 AM

  • Handel: Harp Concerto in B-flat, Op. 4/6. Maxine Eilander, Tafelmusik, Lamon. Analekta 9811.
  • Chopin: Mazurka in D-flat, Op. 30/3. Vassily Primakov. Bridge 9289.
  • Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor. Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Orchestre de Paris, Barenboim (recorded live in Paris 1984, first released 2009). DG 289 477 8569.
  • Aldrige: The Zebra for marimba (2008). Thomas Burritt. Bridge 9311 A/B.
12 N
  • Grieg: Slatter, Suite for Orchestra. Royal Scottish National Orch, Engeset. Naxos 8.557854.
  • Roncalli: Guitar Sonata No. 1 in G major, from Capricci Armonici (1692). Richard Savino. Dorian 90804.
  • Fleck, Hussain & Meyer: The Melody of Rhythm, triple concerto for banjo, tablas and bass. Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, Detroit Sym, Slatkin. E1 KOC-CD-2024.
  • Bolcom: The Graceful Ghost Rag, concert variation for violin and piano (1983) . Scott Corklin, Huckleberry.
1 PM
  • Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major. Lisa Batiashvili, German Chamber Phil Bremen. SonyBMG 88697334002.
  • Bach: Prelude and Fugue No. 15 in G major, BWV 860, from Book 1 of The Well-Tempered Clavier. Maurizio Pollini. DG B0013637.

Thursday, January 6

11 AM

  • Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 18 in B-flat, K. 456. Martha Argerich, Bavarian Radio Sym, Jochum. BR Klassik 40357 1900701.
  • Massenet: Meditation from Thais. Anne-Sophie Mutter, Berlin Phil, Karajan. EMI 74764.
  • Grieg: Norwegian Dances, Op. 35. Estonian National Sym, Jarvi. Virgin 0946 3 44722.
12 N
  • Chaminade: Flute Concertino, Op. 107 (1902). Paula Robison, Charleston Sym, Stahl. Pergola 1032.
  • Rota: Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano. Charles Russo, Eric Bartlett, Beata Degoyan. Premier 1062.
  • Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 4 in D. Ensemble Sonnerie, Huggett. Avie 2171.
  • Sarasate: Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25. Sarah Chang, Berlin Phil, Domingo. EMI 57220.
1 PM
  • Kernis: Musica Celestis for string orchestra. City of Birmingham Sym, Wolff. Argo 448 900.
  • Guastavino: La rosa y el sauce. Kim Kashkashian, Robert Levin. ECM 1975.
  • Falla: Suite Populaire Espagnole. Kim Kashkashian, Robert Levin. ECM 1975.
  • Kodaly: Hungarian Rondo. Orpheus Chamber Orch. DG 447 109.
  • Schoenfield: Cafe Music: Allegro. James Ehnes, Edward Arron, Andrew Russo. Black Box 1109.

Wednesday, January 6

Beethoven's "Pastorale" Symphony, which we hear today, is on the Atlanta Symphony program at Atlanta's Symphony Hall this Thursday through Sunday. On GPB we hear another concert tie-in as well: Mikhail Glinka's trio for winds and piano, which principal players of Symphony Orchestra Augusta perform in Evans on Friday. Further January calendar listings to be posted later this week.

Here's today's Midday Music playlist:

11 AM
  • Vivaldi: The Four Seasons: Winter (Violin Concerto in F minor, Op. 8/4, TV 297). Cho-Liang Lin, Sejong, Newman. Naxos 8.557920.
  • Beethoven: Symphony No. 6, "Pastoral." BBC Scottish Sym, Vanska. BBC Music Magazine Vol. 8/3.
  • Netzer: Taksim. Ivana Bilic.
12 N
  • Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 2, reconstr. for oboe solo (instead of flute) by Gonzalo Ruiz. Ensemble Sonnerie, Gonzalo Ruiz, Huggett. Avie 2171.
  • Hersh: Chorinho Picante. Jac Van Geem.
  • Bizet: L'Arlesienne: Farandole (March of the Three Kings). Toronto Sym, Davis. Sony 47278.
  • Mouton: Nesciens Mater. Gabrieli Consort, McCreesh. DG 477 7635.
  • Glinka: Trio Pathetique in D minor for clarinet, bassoon and piano. Midsummer's Music. Centaur 2206.
  • Bach: Cantata No. 35: Sinfonia I. Camerata Academica Salzburg, Norrington. Decca 289 466 570.
1 PM
  • Khatchaturian: Sparctacus, Ballet Suite No. 2. Scottish National Orch, Jarvi.
  • Schumann: String Quartet No. 3 in A major, Op. 41/3. Takacs Quartet. Hyperion 67631.

Tuesday, January 5

11 AM

  • Telemann: Introduction for Three in C. Bruggen, Kuijken, Kuijken, Leonhardt. Pro Arte 293.
  • Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 for two pianos. Martha Argerich, Nelson Freire. DG 289 477 8570.
  • Aguila: Charango Capriccioso. Camerata San Antonio. Bridge 9302.
12 N
  • Frank: Ritmos Anchinos: Harawi para Colquipolcro. Silk Road Ensemble incl. Wu Man and Wu Tong. World Village 46095.
  • Lam: Empty Mountain, Spirit Rain: Rain. Silk Road Ensemble incl. Kojiro Umezaki. World Village 468095.
  • Vivaldi: "La Tempesta di Mare," Violin Concerto in E-flat, Op. 8/5, RV 253. Daniel Hope, Chamber Orchestra of Europe. DG 289 477 7463.
  • Dvorak: Poetic Tone-Pictures, Op. 85: selections. Vassily Primakov. Bridge 9309.
1 PM
  • Noblet: Second Suite for Harpsichord: La Promenade de St Cloud. Charlotte Mattax Moersch. Centaur 3005.
  • Beach: Violin Sonata in A minor, Op. 34: mvts 2-4. Arcos Trio, members. White Pine 202.
  • Haydn: Symphony No. 38 in C major. English Concert, Pinnock. Archiv 427 661.

Monday, January 4

Happy new year!


Hope your holidays were good. Thanks to Eric Nauert and Russell Wells of GPB member station WSVH for hosting Midday Music while I was away. For Midday Music playlists since my previous posting here, please see WSVH's music archive. And on to today!

11 AM
  • Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, "Emperor." Evgeny Kissin, London Sym, Davis. EMI 50999 2 06311.
  • Arensky: Suite No. 1 for Two Pianos. Lyubov Bruk & Mark Taimanov, piano duo. Philips 456 736.
12 N
  • Wagenseil: Symphony in E, WV 393. Stuttgart Chamber Orch, Goritzki. CPO 777 112.
  • Brahms: Serenade No. 1 in D major, Op. 11: mvts 1-3, 6. Scottish Chamber Orch, Mackerras. Telarc 80522.
  • DiLorenzo: A Little Russian Circus: Tent of Terror. Burning River Brass. Dorian 90293.
1 PM
  • Mozart: String Quintet No. 2 in C, K. 515. Takacs String Quartet, Gyorgy Pauk. London 430 772.
  • Berlioz: Les Francs-Juges, Overture. Baltimore Sym, Zinman. Telarc 80271.

Wednesday, December 23

GPB's Midday Music today serves up secular meat-and-potatoes classical staples with garnishes and sides of Christmas tunes.

On Thursday and Friday, GPB brings you special Christmas programs in lieu of Midday Music. Next week, December 28-31, please join my Savannah co-hosts Eric Nauert and Russell Wells as they host Midday Music statewide (their playlists live here). Friday, January 1 we bring you waltzes and more on New Year's Day from Vienna.

Here's a list of all our holiday programming on GPB Radio and GPB TV. I'll be back January 4. Till then, happy holidays, merry Christmas and a wonderful 2010 to you and yours!

- Sarah

11 AM
  • Respighi: The Pines of Rome. Berlin Phil, Karajan. DG 449 724.
  • Brooks/Schwab: O Little Town of Bethlehem. Jacqueline Schwab. Dorian 90275.
  • Bruch: Scottish Fantasy. Arthur Grumiaux, New Philharmonia Orch, Wallberg. PentaTone 5186 117.
12 N
  • Pierpoint/Coleman: Jingle Bells. Imani Winds. Koch 7748.
  • Mozart: Divertimento in D, K. 136. Freiburg Baroque Orch. Harmonia Mundi 901809.
  • Praetorius/Summer: Variations on "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming." Mark Summer (Turtle Island String Quartet). Windham Hill 01934 11175.
  • Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier, Suite. Houston Sym, Eschenbach. RCA 82876-59408.
  • Traditional spiritual/Coleman: Go Tell It on the Mountain. Imani Winds. Koch 7748.
1 PM
  • Traditional English/Scott: I Saw Three Ships. Imani Winds. Koch 7748.
  • Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major. Boston Baroque, Pearlman. Telarc 80619.
  • Schumann: Concert Piece (Konzertstuck) for Four Horns and Orchestra. Philharmonia Orch, Thielemann. DG 453 482.
  • Bach/Gounod: Ave Maria. Vinson Cole, Patrick Stephens. Delos 3138.
  • Martin/Coleman: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Imani Winds. Koch 7748.

Tuesday, December 22

11 AM

  • Tchaikovsky: "Winter Dreams," Symphony No. 1. Chicago Sym, Abbado. Sony 48056.
  • Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel: Sandman, Evening Prayer, Dream Pantomime. Montague, Larmore, Evans, Philharmonia Orch, Mackerras. Chandos 3143.
12 N
  • Scheidt: In Dulci Jubilo. Canadian Brass, Moody.
  • Vivaldi: Concerto in E major, "Rest - for the night of Christmas," RV 270. Collegium Musicum 90, Standage. Chandos 0754.
  • Rachmaninoff: The Rock, fantasy, for two pianos. Yukie Nagai, Dag Achatz. BIS 746.
  • Ewazen: Symphony for Percussion (2008). TCU Percussion Ensemble, West. Albany 1159.
  • Berkey: The Good King [Wenceslas] & Greensleeves for harpsichord and harp. Jackson Berkey, Kathy Bundock Moore. SDG [Omaha] 011.
1 PM
  • Mozart: Adagio for Glass Armonica, K. 356/617a. Thomas Bloch. Naxos 8.555295.
  • Schumann: Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood). Martha Argerich. EMI 50999 6 93399.
  • Mozart: Symphony No. 34 in C major. Academy of Ancient Music, Hogwood. L'Oiseau-Lyre 411 658.

Monday, December 21

11 AM

  • Tyson: A Ceiling Full of Stars. TCU Percussion Ensemble, West. Albany 1159.
  • Mahler: Symphony No. 3: 4th and 5th movements. Chicago Sym Orch, Michelle DeYoung, Women of the Chicago Sym Chorus, Chicago Children's Choir, Haitink. CSO Resound 901 701.
  • Salzedo: Chanson dans la nuit; Rumba. Yolanda Kondonassis. Telarc 80691.
  • Strauss: Wine, Women and Songs Waltzes. Cincinnati Pops, Kunzel. Telarc 80314.
12 N
  • Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel, Overture. Philharmonia Orch, Mackerras. Chandos 3143.
  • Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat, Op. 44. Marc-Andre Hamelin, Takacs Quartet. Hyperion 67631.
  • Ravel/Grainger: Valley of the Bells. Netherlands Phil, Kreizberg. PentaTone 5186 058.
  • Berlin: Puttin' On the Ritz; They Say It's Wonderful; White Christmas. Chestnut Brass Company. Naxos 8.559123.
1 PM
  • Surrick: Solstice Lament; Richards: Welcome to Winter. Ensemble Galilei. Dorian 80139.
  • Harrison: Solstice, excerpts. California Sym, Jekowsky. Argo 455 590.
  • Bach: Allein Gott in der Hoeh sei Ehr, BWV 711. Matthew Dirst. Centaur 3015.
  • Bach: Cantata No. 121, "Christum wir sollen loben schon." Collegium Vocale Gent, Herreweghe. Harmonia Mundi 901781.82.

Thursday-Friday, December 17-18

Thursday and Friday's shows are hosted by Eric Nauert this week, from our Savannah station WSVH. See WSVH's December playlists for details.


For Georgia performance links, see this blog's current calendar posting.

Wednesday, December 16

11 AM

  • Praetorius, H.: Three motets (Ecce Dominus veniet; Hodie Christus natus est; Ab oriente venerunt Magi). Weser-Renaissance Bremen, Cordes. CPO 777 245.
  • Gounod: Symphony No. 2 in E-flat. Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Marriner. Philips 289 462 125.
  • Manfredini: Christmas Concerto (Concerto Grosso Op. 3/12, "Pastorale per il Santissimo Natale"). Collegium Musicum 90, Standage. Chandos 0754.
12 N
  • Vierne: Rhapsody for harp, Op. 25. Pascale Zanlonghi. Timpani 2C2019.
  • Handel: Messiah: Part 3. Polyphony, Britten Sinfonia, Doyle, Davies, Clayton, Foster-Williams, Layton. Hyperion 67800.
  • Schubert: Rondo in A, D. 951, "Grand Rondeau," for piano four hands. Martha Argerich, Nelson Freire.
1 PM
  • Meyer & Thile: Look Away. Joshua Bell, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile. Sony 88697 52716.
  • Alfven: Symphony No. 3 in E major. Stockholm Phil, Jarvi. BIS 455.
  • Blane & Martin/Farber quasi Mozart: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Orch, Juutilainen. Warren Schatz WS-5.

Tuesday, December 15

11 AM

  • Traditional: Coventry Carol. Michael O'Neal Singers. Independent recording, mosingers.com.
  • Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Preludes and Fugues Nos. 1-3. Maurizio Pollini. DG 13637.
  • Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581. Dieter Kloecker, Consortium Classicum. CPO 999 802.
  • Sierra: Sinfonia No. 3, "La Salsa": Joglorio. Frost Sym, Sleeper. Albany 942.
12 N
  • Handel: Messiah: Part 2. Polyphony, Britten Sinfonia, Doyle, Davies, Clayton, Foster-Williams, Layton. Hyperion 67800.
1 PM
  • Shankar, R.: Variant Moods, duet for sitar and violin, abridged version. Joshua Bell, Anoushka Shankar, Samir Chatterjee, Kenji Ota. Sony 88697 52716.
  • Fields: Sages of Chelm: Simchas... Houston Sinfonia, Rachleff. Centaur 2699.
  • Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn (Chorale of St. Anthony) for two pianos, Op. 56b. Martha Argerich, Nelson Freire. DG 289 477 8570.
  • Brubeck/Cohen: Take Five. Quartet San Francisco. ViolinJazz JCCD 1006.

Monday, December 14

On Midday Music today we've got a couple of more fresh Grammy nominees: pianist Yuja Wang (solo performance category) and violinist Daniel Hope with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (best small ensemble category). For the season we'll also break out a new recording of Handel's Messiah with the chorus Polyphony (part 1 today; part 2 tomorrow) and hear Mendelssohn's all-season musical statement of faith, his Fifth Symphony, "Reformation."

Details on some of this week's concerts and shows around Georgia are below. I hope you find time in your busy December to enjoy the performing arts live as well as on GPB.

11 AM
  • Tavener: O Thou Gentle Light. Choir of Clare College Cambridge, Brown. Naxos 8.572168.
  • Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5, "Reformation." Vienna Phil, Gardiner. DG 289 459 156.
  • Scriabin: Piano Sonata No. 2 (Sonata-Fantasy) in G-sharp minor, Op. 19. Yuja Wang. DG 12534.
  • Traditional/Scott: Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella. Imani Winds. Koch 7748.
12 N
  • Handel: Messiah, Part 1. Polyphony, Britten Sinfonia, Doyle, Davies, Clayton, Foster-Williams, Layton. Hyperion 67800.
  • Gastoldi: Balleti (1591): A lieta vita. Baltimore Consort. Dorian 90801.
1 PM
  • Vivaldi: Sonata in D minor for two violins, "La Follia," Op. 1/12, RV 63. Daniel Hope, Chamber Orch Europe. DG 289 477 7463.
  • Rachmaninoff: Variations on a Theme of Corelli (La Folia), Op. 42. Alexander Romanovsky. Decca 476 3334.
  • Corelli: "Christmas Concerto," Concerto Grosso Op. 6/8 in G minor. L'Arte del Mondo, Ehrhardt. Phoenix Edition 149.
  • Eybler: Omnes de Saba venient. WDR Radio Chorus & Orch, Lenneke Ruiten, Froschauer. Phoenix Edition 112.

Concert Calendar, December 14-23

Monday, December 14

  • The Augusta Museum of History hosts the Augusta Collegium Musicum in the Thirteenth Annual Concert of Holiday Music at 7:30 in the Museum’s Rotunda. Twenty singers offer Christmas music from the 13th-16th centuries as well as modern day carols and “A Simple Alleluia” by Kenton Coe. Limited seating; always sells out.

Ongoing shows

  • Through December 23: The Springer Opera House, Columbus, presents community favorite A Tuna Christmas.
  • Through December 23: Amahl and the Night Visitors. Gian Carlo Menotti’s work captures the life of a crippled child and his impoverished mother, and one evening when traveling magi from the East seek rest with them. Balzer Theatre at Herren’s, Atlanta.
  • Through December 27: The Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker. Fox Theatre, Atlanta. Three weeks only. Live orchestra opening week only.

Friday, December 18

  • A Christmas Carol. The Grand Opera House, Macon.
  • The Amelia Piano Trio, proteges of the late great violinist Isaac Stern and winners of an ASCAP programming award, performs trios by Shostakovich (No. 1 in C minor), Beethoven (Op. 1/3 in C minor) and Chopin (G minor, Op. 8). Presented at the Maxwell Theatre, Augusta State University, by the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society.
  • A Very Merry Holiday Pops! Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Michael Krajewski, conductor; Lassiter High School and Walton High School Choruses. Repeats Saturday the 19th.

Sunday-Monday, December 20-21

  • A Cantus Christmas 2009 - 10th Anniversary Celebration Concert: Message of the Season—Music of the Masters. This local professional chorus now offers its annual program not once but twice, this time with a larger chorus, a 40 piece orchestra, and soprano soloist Christina Howell.The Christmas story is told through classical music and audience carols without narration or applause. This year’s performance features brief works by Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven, Handel, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Schumann, Haydn, Rachmaninoff, Vaughan Williams, Britten, Fauré, Wolf, Berlioz, Respighi, Bizet, Schütz, Lasso, Byrd and others. The audience will join in in four well-known carols. 7:30 each evening, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Legacy Hall, Columbus.

Thursday, December 10

11 AM

  • The First Song of Isaiah; Gaudete. Choirs of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church of Atlanta, Brad Hughley, John Whitt. Independent recording.
  • Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker, excerpts (including but not limited to the Nutcracker Suite). Royal Concertgebouw Orch Amsterdam, Dorati. Philips 425 177.
  • Bach: In Dulci Jubilo, BWV 608; Pettman: Carol of Adoration. Choirs of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Brad Hughley, John Whitt. Independent recording.
  • Playford: All in a Garden Green. Baltimore Consort. Dorian 90801.
12 N
  • Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F major. Royal Flemish Orch, Herreweghe. PentaTone 5186 316.
  • Liszt: Les Bergers a la mangeoire (The Shepherds in the Manger). Philip Amalong/Conundrum. Conundrum Music.
  • Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor. Robert McDuffie, Scottish Chambrer Orch, Swensen. Telarc 80507.
1 PM
  • Powell: Peace, Peace. Atlanta Feminist Women's Chorus. AFWC 001.
  • Bach: Partita No. 3 in A minor, BWV 827. Cedric Tiberghien. Harmonia Mundi 901869.
  • Susato: The Danserye. University of Texas Wind Ensemble, Junkin. Reference 104.
  • Forbes: The Gowans Are Gay; Skene manuscript: Adew Dundee. Baltimore Consort. Dorian 90801.

Wednesday, December 9

A couple of tidbits on today's rep:
  • The orchestral Handel that opens the program includes a reworked chorus from Messiah.
  • Mendelssohn wrote his Magnificat inspired by similar works by J.S. and C.P.E. Bach... the year he turned 13.
  • Georgia's own Columbus State University Wind Ensemble plays Brooklyn Bridge after the 1:00 news, from their new CD Synergy, with conductor Robert Rumbelow and visiting clarinetist John Bruce Yeh.

11 AM
  • Handel: Concerto a Due Cori No. 2 in F major for two wind ensembles and strings. Tafelmusik, Lamon. Sony 63073.
  • Ysaye: String Trio (1927), "Le Chimay." Henning Kraggerud, Bard Monsen, Lars Anders Tomter. Naxos 8.570977.
  • Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat, K. 495. David Jolley, Orpheus Chamber Orch. DG 423 377.
  • Tavener: A Nativity (1985). Choir of Clare College Cambridge, Brown. Naxos 8.572168.
12 N
  • Kreisler: Syncopation; Gypsy Caprice. Caroline Goulding, Christopher O'Riley. Telarc 80744.
  • Mendelssohn: Magnificat in D major. Yale Schola Cantorum, Yale Voxtet, Yale Collegium Players, Carrington. Naxos 8.572161.
  • Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 3 in E-flat, Op. 75. Jerome Lowenthal, London Sym, Cimmisiona. Bridge 9301A/B.
  • Shayne-Regney/Farber: [What if Mozart wrote] Do You Hear What I Hear. Orchestra, Juutilainen. WS-5.
1 PM
  • Daugherty: Brooklyn Bridge for clarinet and symphony band. John Bruce Yeh, Columbus State University Wind Ensemble [!], Rumbelow. Naxos 8.572319.
  • Dubra: Our Lord's Nativity (sung in Latvian). New York Latvian Concert Choir, New Chamber Orch of Riga, Jansons. Albany 1040.

Tuesday, December 8

11 AM

  • Beethoven: Seven Variations on "Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen" from Mozart's Magic Flute, WoO 46. Zuill Bailey, Simone Dinnerstein. Telarc 80740.
  • Haydn: String Quartet in G major, Op. 17/5. Smithson String Quartet. Dorian 90905.
  • Barber: Violin Concerto, Op. 14. Andres Cardenes, Sinfonia Varsovia, Hobson. Albany 1148.
12 N - New Grammy nominees for best solo performance with orchestra:
  • Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C major. Evgeny Kissin, Philharmonia Orch, Ashkenazy. EMI 64536.
  • Bermel: Voices for solo clarinet and orchestra (1997): mvts 2-3 (She Moves through the Fair; Jamm on Toast). Derek Bermel, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Rose. BMOP 1008.
  • Salonen: Piano Concerto: finale. Yefim Bronfman, Los Angeles Phil, Salonen. DG 477 8103
  • Traditional/Brubeck/Cohen: What Child Is This? Quartet San Francisco. ViolinJazz JCCD 106 (QSF Plays Brubeck, Grammy nominee for best classical crossover and best engineered classical).
1 PM
  • Warlock: Three Carols. City of London Choir, Bournemouth Sym, Wetton. Naxos 8.572102.
  • Wagenaar: Frithiof's Sea Voyage, symphonic poem, Op. 5. Northwest German Phil, Hermus. CPO 777 479.
  • Hartmann, J.P.E.: Piano Sonata in D minor, Op. 34. Nina Gade. Dacapo 8.226103-04.

Monday, December 7

Fresh Grammy nominations are out, and high on the list of classical honorees isJames Levine leading the Boston Symphony in the complete Daphnis and Chloe. The rapturous, incandescently orchestrated music by Maurice Ravel depicts the awakening love between two young people in bucolic ancient Greece. (Spicing up the plot is an abduction by pirates!) Levine's live rendition on the BSO's own label has racked up nominations for best classical album, best orchestral performance and best engineered classical recording. It fills the first hour of GPB's Midday Music.

11 AM
  • Ravel: Daphnis and Chloe, complete ballet. Boston Sym Orch, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Levine. BSO Classics 0801.
12 N
  • Shostakovich: Festive Overture. Simon Bolivar Youth Orch of Venezuela, Dudamel. DG.
  • Bach: Cantata No. 191, "Gloria in Excelsis Deo." Bach Choir of Bethlehem, Bach Festival Orch, soloists, Funfgeld. Analekta 9873.
  • Alwyn: Overture to a Masque. Royal Liverpool Phil, Lloyd-Jones. Naxos 8.570704.
  • Rachmaninoff: Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 36. Nareh Arghamanyan. Analekta 8762.
1 PM
  • Wagenaar: The Taming of the Shrew, overture after Shakespeare's play. Northwest German Phil, Hermus. CPO 777 479.
  • Neusidler: Two lute pieces (Der Dorisanen Dantz mit Hupffauff; Nun lob mein Seel den Herren, Psalm 103). Paul O'Dette. Harmonia Mundi 907388.
  • Dvorak: Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88. Oslo Phil Orch, Jansons. Brilliant 93635.

Concert Calendar, December 2009

Midday Music's events list for December. You probably know of additional holiday concerts at schools and places of worship near you; here we just hit some highlights, in as close to chronological order as possible. Hope you find some great events in your neck of the woods. Further links and details to be added shortly.

December 3-5

  • Madrigal Dinners, as presented annually by the music department of Covenant College, Lookout Mountain. The madrigal dinner was a 16th century pre-Christmas celebration and feast given by the wealthy for their court and friends.

At Symphony Hall, Atlanta this weekend:

  • December 3 & 5: Handel’s Messiah. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chamber Chorus; Norman MacKenzie, conductor
  • December 4 & 5: ASO Gospel Christmas. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Gospel Choir; Chelsea Tipton II, conductor.
Friday, December 4

  • Macon State College Chamber Singers present "Gloria," featuring Vivaldi and Rutter at 7:30 p.m., Riverside United Methodist Church, Macon. Guests: the Colony IV Brass, soprano Melanie Cross-Buckner and mezzo-soprano Michelle DeBruyn. Free. 478.471.5773.

December 4-5

  • A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols featuring the Mercer Singers, with University organist Robert Parris, conducted by Stanley Roberts. 7:30 p.m., Newton Chapel, Mercer University, Macon. 478.301.5751.

December 4-6

  • winterfest2009— a Visual & Performing Arts Festival at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Columbus. Paintings, pottery, jewelry, woodwork and more. Free admission to the Visual Arts Festival. Artists’ booths will be featured on the orchestra and mezzanine levels of RiverCenter’s lobby with student art on the balcony level. In addition, two ticketed events will be held in the Bill Heard Theatre: Béla Fleck & The Flecktones, “The Holiday Tour,” Friday, December 4, and pianist Jim Brickman, “Beautiful World Christmas,” Saturday, December 5.

December 4 & 6

  • Aiken Choral Society’s 2009 Winter Concert. Friday at 7:30, Sunday at 3:00, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Aiken, SC. Vivaldi's Gloria, sacred and secular carols and a surprise guest performance. Directed by Maureen Simpson.
Ongoing shows
  • December 4-20: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Atlanta.
  • December 4-23: Peter Pan. Springer Opera House, Columbus.

Saturday, December 5

  • Feaste of Caroles. Rome Symphony Orchestra, Shorter College Chorale & Chorus. Handel’s “Messiah” (Christmas portion), Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, Vaughan Williams’ Greensleeves. Rome City Auditorium, 7:30.
  • Valdosta Symphony with soprano Tamara Hardesty and conductor Howard Hsu at Valdosta State University’s Whitehead Auditorium. “The Human Voice”: Mozart Exsultate Jubilate, Mahler Symphony No. 4.
  • Organist Joyce Jones from Baylor University plays Widor, Vivaldi, Bach, Franck, Dupre, Langlais, Wright and more, including seasonal music. Joyce Jones is professor of organ at BaylorUniversity. Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, Morrow.

December 5-6

  • Gala Holiday Concert presented by the Georgia State University School of Music. http://www.rialtocenter.org. Featuring the Georgia State University Symphony Orchestra, Choruses and Jazz Band, as well as community ensembles, performing traditional holiday favorites and music with an international twist. Ellington, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Janowski, Handel and Holst, a world premiere by Nickitas Demos, a Hebrew song of peace, Handel’s “Hallelujah” Chorus and an audience sing-along. Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m., Rialto Center, Atlanta. Free parking.

Sunday, December 6

  • The Christmas Story as done by the Waverly Consort: The Christmas Story. A presentation of seasonal music originally performed in the cathedrals of Europe during the Middle Ages. In the spirit and pageantry of medieval church dramas and mystery plays, the Waverly Consort recounts the events of Christmas in a celebration of ritual drama and song. UGA Performing Arts Center, Athens.
  • In the Macon area, a mother-daughter piano concert with Margery McDuffie Whatley and Susan McDuffie. 5 p.m., Vineville United Methodist Church. Free.

This week at Symphony Hall, Atlanta:

  • December 6 & 13: ASO Kids’ Christmas. Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra; JereFlint, conductor; Lee Harper Dancers.
  • December 10-12: Christmas with the ASO. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus;Morehouse College Glee Club; Gwinnett Young Singers. Norman MacKenzie, conductor.

Monday, December 7

  • The Macon Concert Association presents mezzo-soprano Magdalena Wor in concert, 7:30 p.m., Wesleyan College's Burden Parlor, Olive Swann Porter Building.

Tuesday, December 8

December 9-13

Thursday, December 10

  • A Very CSO Christmas. Columbus Symphony Orchestra. George Del Gobbo, conductor. 6:30 Santa arrives, 7:30 concert begins. Bill Heard Theatre, RiverCenter, Columbus.
  • Christmas with the LSO. LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, with guests the LaGrange College Women’s Chorus and the Long Cane Middle School Chorus. Patricio Cobos will lead the orchestra in a mix of secular and spiritual selections, including Anderson, Rutter and others. 7:30, Callaway Auditorium, LaGrange College, LaGrange.

Friday, December 11

  • Home for the Holidays, a Symphony Orchestra Augusta pops concert. Holiday and Broadway favorites with Broadway stars Jan Horvath and Dough LaBrecque, the Augusta Children's Choral, the ASU Home for the Holidays Chorus and Maestro Z Kuwahara. Bell Auditorium, Augusta, 7:30.
  • Golden Bells of Atlanta. Falany Performing Arts Center, Reinhardt College, Waleska.

This weekend at Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, Morrow:

  • December 11: Spivey Hall Young Artists, Spivey Hall Children’s Choir
  • December 12-13: Spivey Hall Children’s Choir, Spivey Hall Tour Choir
  • December 12: Big Band Christmas with Joe Gransden & Jazz Orchestra Atlanta
  • December 13: The Atlanta Singers

December 11-12

  • 17th Annual Atlanta Celtic Christmas Concert, James Flannery, host. Banjo virtuoso Alison Brown, Appalachian hipsters Leah and Chloe Smith (R.I.S.E.), string player and percussionist Joe Craven, and Irish classical pianist J. J. Sheridan. Saturday 8:00, Sunday 2:30. Schwartz Center, Emory University, Atlanta.

Ongoing shows

  • December 10-23: The Springer Opera House, Columbus, presents community favorite A Tuna Christmas.
  • December 11-27: The Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker. Fox Theatre, Atlanta. Three weeks only. Live orchestra opening week only.
  • December 13-23: Amahl and the Night Visitors. Gian Carlo Menotti’s haunting and vivid musical work captures the humble life of a crippled child and his impoverished mother, and one mesmerizing evening when traveling magi from the East mysteriously seek rest with them. Balzer Theatre at Herren’s, Atlanta.

Saturday, December 12

  • Handel’s Messiah. Along with the Augusta Choral Society will be soloists Melanie Larsen, Brittnee Siemon, John Daniecki and Bryan Franklin; the Augusta Choral Society Orchestra; organist Keith Shafer; and artistic director and conductor, Dr. J. Porter Stokes. 706-826-4713. 7:30 p.m., Saint Paul's Church, downtown Augusta.
  • Ocmulgee Symphony Orchestra.

Sunday, December 13

  • Albany State University Community “Messiah” Sing, featuring area soloists and members of the Albany Symphony. 4 p.m., ACAD Auditorium, ASU campus, Albany. Free.

Monday, December 14

  • The Augusta Museum of History hosts the Augusta Collegium Musicum in the Thirteenth Annual Concert of Holiday Music at 7:30 in the Museum’s Rotunda. Twenty singers offer Christmas music from the 13th-16th centuries as well as modern day carols and “A Simple Alleluia” by Kenton Coe. Limited seating; always sells out.

Friday, December 18

  • A Christmas Carol. The Grand Opera House, Macon.
  • The Amelia Piano Trio, proteges of the late great violinist Isaac Stern and winners of an ASCAP programming award, performs trios by Shostakovich (No. 1 in C minor), Beethoven (Op. 1/3 in C minor) and Chopin (G minor, Op. 8). Presented at the Maxwell Theatre, Augusta State University, by the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society.

December 18 & 19

  • A Very Merry Holiday Pops! Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Michael Krajewski, conductor; Lassiter High School and Walton High School Choruses.

December 20-21

  • A Cantus Christmas 2009 - 10th Anniversary Celebration Concert: Message of the Season—Music of the Masters. This local professional chorus now offers its annual program not once but twice, this time with a larger chorus, a 40 piece orchestra, and soprano soloist Christina Howell. The Christmas story is told through classical music and audience carols without narration or applause. This year’s performance features brief works by Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven, Handel, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Schumann, Haydn, Rachmaninoff, Vaughan Williams, Britten, Fauré, Wolf, Berlioz, Respighi, Bizet, Schütz, Lasso, Byrd and others. The audience will join in in four well-known carols. 7:30 each evening, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Legacy Hall, Columbus.

Tuesday, December 29

Thursday, December 31
  • ASO New Year’s Eve. Atlanta Symphony; Michael Krajewski, conductor; Sylvia McNair, soprano.

Thursday, December 3

11 AM

  • Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 3. Israel Phil, Imre Kovacs, Mehta. CBS 44926.
  • Taneyev: Violin Sonata (1911). Ivan Peshkov, Olga Solovieva. Naxos 8.557804.
  • Bloch: Concerto Grosso No. 1 for strings and piano. Jenny Lin, SWR Radio Orch Kaiserslautern, Starek. Hanssler 93.192.
12 N
  • Vivaldi: Gloria in D, RV 589. Bach Choir of Bethlehem, Bach Festival Orch, Funfgeld. Analekta 2009.
  • Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker: selection.
  • Aguila: Charago Capriccioso. Camerata San Antonio. Bridge 9302.
  • Handel: Messiah: selection.
1 PM
  • Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G major: finale. Kiri Te Kanawa, Boston Sym, Ozawa. Philips 422 072.
  • Debussy: four preludes: Hills of Anacapri, Steps in the Snow; Sunken Catherdral; Fireworks. Ivan Ilic. www.IvanCDG.com.


Wednesday, December 2

So much joyous musicmaking goes on across the state in December. Here are just two of this weekend's myriad Georgia events:
  • Banjo phenom Bela Fleck and his Flecktones appear in concert Columbus Friday. It's part of the winterfest2009, which also includes a three-day artist's market with booths throughout the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.
  • Saturday at Valdosta State, the Valdosta Symphony performs Mozart's Exsultate Jubilate and Mahler's celestial Fourth Symphony with soprano Tamara Hardesty and conductor Howard Hsu. The program is called "The Human Voice."

11 AM
  • Saint-Saens: Oboe Sonata, Op. 166. Ensemble Villa Musica. MDG 304 0395.
  • Mendelssohn: "Scottish" Symphony (No. 3 in A minor). New Philharmonia Orch, Muti. EMI 81788.
12 N
  • Meyer: By the River. Marshall, Fleck, Meyer. Sony 62891.
  • Mozart: Exsultate Jubilate, K. 165. Carolyn Sampson, King's Consort, King. Hyperion 67560.
  • Glazunov: Raymonda, ballet suite, Op. 57a. Royal Scottish National Orch, Serebrier. Warner 2564 61939.
1 PM
  • Saint-Saens: Caprice on Danish and Russian Airs, Op. 79. Ensemble Villa Musica. MDG 304 0395.
  • Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58. Evgeny Kissin, London Sym, Davis. EMI 50999 2 06311.

Tuesday, December 1

All new releases!


11 AM
  • Zhou Long: Partita for violin and piano. Cho-Liang Lin, Helen Huang. Delos 3397.
  • Dvorak: Romance in F minor, Op. 11. Arabella Steinbacher, Berlin Radio Sym, Janowski. PentaTone 5186 353.
  • Schubert: Quintet in A major for flute and strings (transcr. Stallman from Violin Sonata D. 574). Robert Stallman, members of Martinu Quartet, Karel Untermuller. Bogner's Cafe 103.
12 N
  • Glass: The Hours Suite: Movement 3. Angele Dubeau, La Pieta. Analekta 8727.
  • Bloch: Baal Shem Suite "Three Pictures of Chassidic Life." Vadim Gluzman, Sao Paulo Sym, Neschling. BIS 1662.
  • Hartmann: Symphony No. 1 in G minor, Op. 17. Danish National Sym, Lundgaard. Dacapo 8.225103-04.
1 PM
  • Schumann: Arabesque in C major, Op. 18. Vassily Primakov. Bridge 9300.
  • Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem: Requiem aeternam. Kansas City Sym, Stern. Reference 120.
  • Haydn: Piano Sonata in F major. Ivan Ilic. www.IvanCDG.com.
  • Martinu: Piano Concerto No. 2. Robert Kolinsky, Basel Sym, Ashkenazy. Ondine 1158.