Winning Azaleas (1998)
Tayloe Harding
About this work:
Commissioned in 1998 by the Valdosta (GA) Symphony Orchestra, Winning Azaleas (1998) is a concert opener for orchestra of about 6-7 minutes duration. The title of the work is a compilation of the two icons that are perhaps the most well known and associated with the city of Valdosta, GA: Winning High School football, and the town’s springtime preponderance of beautiful and colorful azaleas. Valdosta’s two nicknames are each related to these icons: “Winnersville, USA” and “The Azalea City.”
Winning Azaleas (1998) is highly thematic and energetic, but reflective as well—all characteristics of the composer’s on view of the Valdosta style, of its nicknames and its wonderful people.
Year composed: 1998
Duration: 00:06:30
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Unknown
Instrumentation: