DCD 004 - Contemporary music from America and Latvia

This podcast is sort of a study in contrasts. We play two short solo piano works by Mark Gardner, a brilliant composer and pianist living out on the west coast. That's followed by a large orchestral and choral work by Latvian composer Bruno Skulte. What do these works have in common? Well-written, accessible and compelling music that speaks in their respective composers' voices.

This program I also mention my radio background. For those who'd like to hear me host a program that plays complete works, listen in every Wednesday 6:00am to 9:00am to WTJU in Charlottesville, VA. My program, Gamut is streamed live over the Internet.

This program, we play the following:

Gardner: The Price of Art; "Dance of the Defiant," and "Existence of Handel" - Mark Gardner, piano
(Mark Gardner)

Skulte: A Herder's Life - Rhapsody
New York Latvian Concert Choir; Chamber Choir "Balsis"Choir Class of the Riga 4th Music School; Latvian National Symphony Orchestra; Dita Kalnina, soprano; Antra Bigaca, mezzo-soprano; Viesturs Jansons, tenor; Samson Izjumovs, baritone; Ints Teterovskis, baritone; Lelde Vikmane, narrator; Andrejs Jansons, conductor
(NYLCC)

DCD 003 - Chamber music

Our third podcast presents a variety of chamber music. The intimate nature of small ensemble performance seems a perfect match for the resources and artistic visions of independent classical labels.

At the same time, chamber music is often more challenging to record than orchestral music. As you'll hear, both sound quality and level of performance remains high through all the selections.

This program, we play the following:

Tchaikovsky (arr. Volkert): Three Pieces; 1. Allegretto vivo e scherzando - Volkert-Walther Trio
(Con Brio)

Bacewicz: String Quartet No. 4, mvt. two - Wister Quartet
(DTR Recording Company)

Mendelssohn-Henzel: Piano Quartet in A major, first movement - Renate Eggebrecht, violin; Friedemann Kupsa, cello; David Cann, viola; Staf Mickish, piano
(Troubadisc)