DCD 036 - The DCD Holiday Special: Part 2

Episode #36 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" is Part 2 of our holiday special, we again sample selections from the Seattle Pro Musica's album "Weihnachten: A German Christmas." We also play selections from Michael Stairs' Christmas recital at the Longwood Gardens organ in Philadelphia, and we break format a little bit as we did last year -- with some seasonal tunes performed a capella by the Inner Voices.

We'll be taking a break and resume podcasting in January.

Here's hoping everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday!

Season's Greetings,

Ralph


This program we play:

Schutz: German Magnificat
Seattle Pro Musica; Karen P. Thomas, director
Seattle Pro Musica

Cook: Paean on "Divinum mysterium"
Michael Stairs, organ
DTR

Praetorius: In Dulce Jubilo
Seattle Pro Musica; Karen P. Thomas, director
Seattle Pro Musica

Chorale Improvisation on "In Dulce Jubilo"
Michael Stairs, organ
DTR

Bright, Bright the Holly Berries
O Come With Us
Christmas Love Song
The Inner Voices
Laurel Records

DCD 035 - The DCD Holiday Special: Part 1

Last year we did two podcasts featuring the music of Christmas (as found on recordings carried by DCD Records, of course). This year we're doing the same.

Part 1 of our holiday special features to selections from the Seattle Pro Musica's album "Weihnachten. a German Christmas." We also play a Charpentier work performed by the Convivium Vocale

We'll be posting Part 2 within the next day or so, and then take a break until January. Enjoy!

- Ralph

This program we play:

Charpentier: Canticum in honorem Beatae Virginis Mariae
Convivium Vocale
Musica Rediviva

Biebl: Ave Maria
Seattle Pro Musica; Karen P. Thomas, conductor
Seattle Pro Musica


Mendelssohn: Sechs Sprüche, Op. 79
Seattle Pro Musica; Karen P. Thomas, conductor
Seattle Pro Musica

DCD-034 - Grisha!

This podcast we focus on the recordings of Grisha. Born in Russia, this amazing guitar virtuoso displays a true affinity for Spanish flamenco music, as he's demonstrated in two recordings for the VGo label. We play selections from both of these releases in this podcast, with a focus on his latest recording, "Homenaje a Sabicas."

And we've also put together both recordings in a special offer. If you're discovering Grisha for the first time, you can buy both CDs from DCD Records at a 20% discount.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Sabicas: Algerias
Grisha, guitar
VGo Recordings

Isaac Albinez: Cadiz
Grisha, guitar
VGo Recordings

Sabicas: Rondena
Grisha, guitar
VGo Recordings

Paco de Lucias; Fandangos
Grisha, guitar
VGo Recordings

Sabicas: Verdiales
Grisha, guitar
VGo Recordings

DCD 033 - The "Make Good" Show

In radio, if a spot isn't run at its scheduled time the advertiser gets a "make good" airing. That means the spot is run later to make up for the missed airing. It also means the radio station doesn't have to refund part of its charge to the advertiser!

This episode of our podcast is a "make good" program. All the works featured were originally intended to be included on previous episodes, but had to be rescheduled for the best of all reasons -- the arrival of brand new releases to share.

The John Biggs composition was originally to run in program 031, but an influx of new releases from Con Brio pushed it further back in the production schedule.

Program 031 featured a selection from volume one of Patrick Beckman's "American Scenes," and I wanted to follow up in program 032 with a track from volume two. A shipment from Laurel Records turned that program into a Laurel new release program, and the Beckman piece was rescheduled.

And speaking of Laurel, I couldn't do a proper overview as we only have room for three of their four new releases. So this program we finish up the Laurel new release feature we started in the last show.

As you'll hear, none of these works were bumped because of quality -- there simply wasn't enough room. But there is in this program!

- Ralph

This program we play:

Biggs - "Bonjour mon Coeur” and “Mia benigna fortuna” from Songs for Baritone and Cello
James Kenney, baritone and Virginia Kron, cellist
Consort Press

Beckman - Nashville, Adagio and Hoedown
Patrick Beckman, piano
Con Brio Recordings

Bloch: Suite No. 2 for solo cello, mvts. 3 & 4
Parry Karp, cello
Laurel Records

DCD 032 - Two From Laurel

We recently received three new releases from Laurel Records, all featuring the music of Ernest Bloch. Two of these recordings feature the Pro Arte Quartet, and complete their traversal of Bloch's string quartets. In addition, these releases also have both of Bloch's piano quintets.

This episode of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" features selections from these releases.

These works are all fairly lengthy, so rather than present some inconsequential excerpts, I decided to program two large movements. If you're not familiar with Bloch's chamber music, this will give you a good idea of the scope and quality of his compositions.

Next program we'll have something from the third new Laurel release.

- Ralph


This program we play:

Bloch: String Quartet No. 1, Movement 1
Pro Arte Quartet
Laurel Records

Bloch: Quintet for Piano & Strings No. 1, Movement 3
Pro Arte Quartet; Howard Karp, piano
Laurel Records

DCD 031 - A Cornucopia of Con Brio

About the time I was starting to work on program #31, a batch of new releases arrived from the Con Brio label. With more than enough material to fill an edition of the DCD Classical 'Cast, deciding to turn the program into a Con Brio showcase seemed only natural.

We begin with two selections from Noëlle Compinsky Tinturin's release "American Portraits: Piano Music by American Composers." Also on the program is a work written for the phenomenal tuba virtuoso Barton Cummings, with Cummings (who commissioned the work) performing.

And we end with something from "American Scenes, Volume 1" by Patrick Bechman. This accomplished pianist/composer created and recorded a series of musical impressions of several American cities. This program we play a selection from volume 1, and next time we'll have something from volume 2.

- Ralph


This program we play:

Turpin: St. Louis Rag
Noëlle Compinsky Tinturin, piano
Con Brio

Delmonte: Night on the Pampa
Noëlle Compinsky Tinturin, piano
Celine Grietzen, cello

Grundman: Tuba Rhapsody for Tuba and Band
Barton Cummings, tuba
Con Brio

Bechman: Memphis Toccata
Patrick Bechman, piano
Con Brio

DCD 030 - Violin Solo, and Violin in Ensemble

We celebrate the release of the "Violin Solo" series from Troubadisc Recordings. in this edition of the "DCD Classical 'Cast."The third volume of this outstanding series concentrates on the solo violin music of Paul Hindemith, and features two of his previously unrecorded works for the violin. Eggebrecht also includes two world premiere recordings by two modern composers -- Anatol Vieru and Vladimir Martynov.

For this podcast we play two selections from the SACD "Violin Solo, Volume 3." We also include some of Eggebrecht's ensemble work (in a piano trio and as part of the Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet) to round out the program.

- Ralph

This program we play:
Paul Hindemith: Sonata for Solo Violin, Op. 11 No. 6 in G minor (mvt. 1)
Renate Eggebrecht, violin
Troubadisc

Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel: The Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 11 (mvts. 2 & 3)
Renate Eggebrecht, violin; Friedemann Kuspa, cello; Stefan Mickisch, piano
Troubadisc

Anatol Vieru: Capriccio for solo violin
Renate Eggebrecht, violin
Troubadisc

Arthur Bliss: String Quartet No. 2 in F minor (mvt. 4)
Fanny Mendelssohn String Quartet
Troubadisc

DCD 029 - Summertime Fare

We're in the middle of an August heatwave here in Virginia. So this program presents three selections for light summer listening. We start with an unusual lute duet recording by John Schneiderman, then go to a sampling of some short Brahms piano works, and finish with an 18th century concerto for double bass.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Hagen: Duetto in C minor for two lutes
John Schneiderman, lutes
VGo Recordings

Brahms: Capriccio in F-sharp minor; Capriccio iun B minor; Intermezzo in A-flat major, Op. 76
Vera Breheda, piano
Con Brio

Kohaut: Concerto in D major for double bass
Carmine Laino, double bass; Pierfrancesco Borrelli, harpsichord
Inedita Records

DCD 028 - A Midsummer's Mozart

It's the middle of summer, and I'm taking it a little easy. This podcast its just music by Mozart, as performed by three different artists on three different labels. Great summer listening, enjoy!

- Ralph

This program we play:

Mozart: Sonata in F major for piano four hands, K.497 (mvt. 1)
Howard and Francis Karp, piano
University of Wisconsin at Madison School of Music

Mozart: Sonata in C major, K. 46E (mvt. 2)
Gary Levinson, violin
Zeus Entertainment

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 18 in B-flat major, K. 456 (mvt. 3)
Svlatislav Richter, piano; Japan Shinsei Symphony Orchestra; Rudolph Barshai, conductor

DCD 027 - Biggs, Beethoven and the Barber

I didn't plan this podcast episode to be alliterative -- it just worked out that way.

We continue our survey of the Monument Records catalog of unusual Beethoven repertoire, this time presenting a previously unrecorded string quartet. The "Brilliant" quartet (named for Beethoven scholar Ira F. Brilliant) was discovered in the notebooks for the "Eroica" symphony. The first movement was almost complete, and so with very little editing, a performance edition was created. As with other selections I've featured from Monument, it presents a fascinating glimpse of what might have been.

We recently added Consort Press to our list of labels, and from them we include an excerpt from a mass by from American composer and conductor John Biggs.

And we start with a performance of the opening sinfonia to Rossini's "Barber of Saville," as performed by the Gruppo Ocarinistico Budriese, an occarina ensemble with a history that stretches back to the late 19th century.

- Ralph

Rossini: a"il Barbiere di Siviglia" Sinfonia
Gruppo Ocarinistico Budriese
Callisto Records

Beethoven: The "Brilliant" String Quartet in A major, Biamonti 382
Covington String Quartet
Monument Records


Biggs: Mass for Our Time (final movement)
Consort Chorale and Chamber Players
Consort Press

DCD 026 - Some American Classics

Notice the title says "some" American Classics. We begin this episode with another installment of our Monument Records survey. In addition to releasing under-recorded works by Beethoven, Monument's also concerned about other works from the classical era that deserve more attention. In this podcast we present a selection from their CD "Masters of the Classical Keyboard."

The other two works on the show are American, and thus the title. Daron Hagen composed his "Concerto for Brass Quintet" to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Music. As an alumni of the school, I'm sure it was a commission he was happy to fill.

Our final work comes from Sheila Silver. We were able to obtain some now out-of-print recordings of her earlier work, and will offer them as long as our stock lasts. Supplies are limited! We close the program with the final movement of her chamber work "To The Spirit Unconquered."

- Ralph

Neefe: Sonata XI in D major
Stephen Beck, piano
Monument Records

Hagen: Concerto for Brass Quintet
Wisconsin Brass Quintet
University of Wisconsin Madison School of Music

Silver: To the Spirit Unconquered
Guild Trio
CRI

DCD 025 - We Love Belgium!

Looking over the traffic reports for this past month, I noticed that we've had a significant increase in the number of visits (and downloads) from Belgium. So for that reason, we programmed a selection by Joseph Jongens, an important Belgian composer in this edition of the "DCD Classical 'Cast."

We also continue our survey of the Monument Records catalog, and present a performance by the other co-winner of the Boston GuitarFest competition.

- Ralph

Emillio Pujol: Trois Morceaux Espangniols
Steve Lin, guitar
VGo Recordings

Jongens: Symphonie Concertante for organ and orchestra, Op. 81 (mvt. 1)
Bruce Shultz, organ; Philadelphia Youth Orchestra; Joseph Primavera, conductor
DTR Recording Company

Beethoven: Sonata quasi una fantasia in D major, Biamonti 213
Stephen Beck, piano
Monument Records

DCD 024 - Bach, Beethoven and Silesu

The program continues our survey of the Monument Records catalog. This time it's Beethoven's variations on "God Save the King" -- and its as imaginative as any of his more famous theme and variations compositions.

We also feature a new release from VGo Recordings. The Boston GuitarFest offers a prize for Best New Artist -- a recording with VGo. This year the jury had four members, who split 2-2 in their voting. So, this recording features the co-winners of the competition, Steve Lin and Joseph Williams, II. This podcast I play a selection performed by Steve Lin. Next time I'll feature another track by Joseph Williams II.

The last work comes from the Inedita label. We present an excerpt of Lao Silesu's "Muse Champetre." Silesu was an Italian composer working in Paris in the first part of the 20th Century. Also he's lapsed into obscurity, Inedita's release demonstrates Sileus is a composer worth rediscovering.

- Ralph

This program we play the following:

Beethoven: Theme and Variations on "God Save the King", WoO 78
Steven Beck, piano
Monument Records

Bach: Prelude, Fugue and Allegro, BWV 998
Steve Lin, guitar
VGo Records

Silesu: Muse Champetre (mvts. 3 and 4)
Sassari Symphony Orchestra
Alberto Peyretti, conductor
Inedita

DCD 023 - Allegri and Mozart

Gregor Allegri's Miserere at one time could only be performed in the Sistine Chapel for the exclusive pleasure of the Pope. That lasted until a very young Mozart heard the work performed, and wrote it down afterwards completely from memory. After that, the monopoly was broken, and Miserere became an important part of the choral repertoire.

This program we feature a performance of Allegri's masterwork, as well as a piece by his nemesis, Mozart.

We also continue our series showcasing Monument Records. Their catalog of under-recorded and world premiere recordings of Beethoven's music is remarkable indeed.

- Ralph

This program we play the following:

Beethoven: Nine Contradanses, Hess 102
Steven Beck, piano

Allegri: Miserere
The Seattle Pro Musica; Karen P. Thomas, conductor

Mozart: Violin Sonata in F major, K.46D
Gary Levinson, violin; Eugene Levinson, bass

DCD 022 - Milhaud: Early chamber music

This program showcases a three-volume set from Troubadisc, featuring the early string quartets and chamber music of Darius Milhaud. The set includes the first eight string quartets, as well as several important song cycles.

- Ralph

The program we play the following:

Milhaud: String Quartet No. 1, Op. 5
The Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet

Milhaud: Quatre Poemes de Paul Claudel, Op. 26
Maarten Konigsberger, baritone; Rudolf Jansen, piano

Milhaud: Machines agricoles, Op. 56, Six pastorals for voice and seven instruments
Ulrike Sonntag, soprano; Irmlea Nolte, flute; Deborah Marshall, clarinet; Michael Weigel, bassoon; Renate Eggebrecht, violin; Stefan Berg, viola; Friedemann, Kupsa, cello; Arpat Gyorgy, contrabass; Linda Horowitz, conductor

Milhaud: String Quartet No. 7, Op. 87
The Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet

Milhaud: String Quartet No. 8, Op. 121
The Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet

DCD 021 - Beethoven and beyond

This program we welcome a new label -- Monument Records. The label's founder, James F. Green is a Beethoven scholar, and Monument presents unknown and previously unrecorded works by Beethoven. This program we sample some selections from the solo piano version of the "Creatures of Prometheus" -- Beethoven's own original transcription.

We also conclude our survey of New York Latvian Concert Choir label releases, and feature an unusual work from the Laurel Records catalog.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Janis Kalnins: Potter’s Field, overture and first movement
Janis Sprogis, tenor; Latvian Radio and Sonsum choirs; Latvian national Symphony Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons, conductor
NYLCC

Beethoven: Die Geschoöpfe des Prometheus, Act I
Stephen Hess, piano
Monument Records

David Baker, Sonata for Cello and Piano – final movement
Janos Starker, cello and Alain Planes, piano
Laurel Records

DCD 020 - An Estonian Mass

This podcast we continue our survey of the NYLCC record label catalog. Our main selection comes from the Requiem Mass of Helen Tobias Duesberg. The daughter of a renowned Estonian composer, Duesberg drew from the music of her naive land for inspiration.

We also feature a work from one of Laurel Records' landmark recordings, a collection of piano music by Blind Boone. Nearly forgotten today, this African-American composer was one of the sensations of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Boone enjoyed the same degree of fame as his friend Scott Joplin, although his compositions were focussed on romantic classical forms rather than ragtime. The original release generated a renewed interest in the life and work of this American composer.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Duesberg: Requiem, mvts. 1-3
SONORE Choir; RLB Symphony Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons, conductor
NYLCC

Boone: The Last Dream Waltz
Frank Townsell, piano
Laurel Records

Schubert: Moments Musicaux No. 6, D. 780
Allan Krantz, guitar
DTR

DCD 019 - Philippine Treasures

VGo Records released "Philippine Treasures" by guitarist Angelo Favis a number of years ago. They've finally released a second volume in the series, and this program we showcase selections from both discs.

We also continue our look at the New York Latvian Concert Choir's catalog. This time we present two movements from "The Sea," a monumental work for chorus and orchestra by Latvian composer Alfreds Kalnins. Kalnins was perhaps Latvia’s most prolific composer, with over 500 works to his credit.

We're also working on an enhanced version of the podcast for iTunes subscribers. Look for the launch of that feed shortly!

Thanks to the listeners who've voted for us at Digg.com -- and the other podcasting sites as well. Our numbers show that folks throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia are listening. Your vote lets us know the program's appreciated. And we appreciate the support.

- Ralph Graves
President, DCD Records


Kalnins: The Sea
1. Hymn in Praise of Neptune
2. The Sea's Great Voice
Latvian National Opera Orchestra; Latvian Radio Choir; Consum Choir; Verisja Choir: Adrejs Jansons, conductor
NYLCC

Philippine Treasures, Volume 1
Ay Kalisud (traditional)
Paterno: Sampaguita
Angelo Favis, guitar

Philippine Treasures, Volume 2
Cavatina by Nicanor Abelardo: Cavatina
Juanito Gonzales Angus: Usahay
Angelo Favis, guitar
VGo

DCD 018 - A Classical Potpourri

This program we begin a special feature. For the next several podcasts, we'll be presenting music from the New York Latvian Concert Choir label. In my opinion, the NYLCC label is one of the most under appreciated that we carry. We're hoping our series will help change that.

In addition to the first installment of the NYLCC series, we also present a selection from Troubadisc's latest offering -- a Schumann recital disc with pianist Wolfram Lorenzen.

You'll also hear the final movement to a chamber symphony by American composer Henri Lazarof, and a baroque suite for lute duet recorded in a very unusual manner by John Schneiderman on VGo recordings.

- Ralph Graves
President, DCD Records


This program we play:

Janson: Overture to "Money Fever"
New York Latvian Concert Choir; Latvian National Symphony Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons, conductor
NYLCC

Baron: Suite in B-flat major for two lutes
John Schneiderman, lutes
VGo Recordings

Schumann: Ende vom Lied
Wolfram Lorenzen, piano
Troubadisc

Lazarof: Chamber Symphony (finale)
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra; Gerard Schwarz, conductor
Laurel Records

DCD 017 - The King of Instruments

This year we've resolved to do even more with our podcasts in 2007. The subscriber base continues to grow, and we've noticed an increase in foreign listeners. Welcome!

Our goal is to increase the production schedule for these podcasts, and we hope to begin enhanced podcast feeds this month as well.

This first podcast of 2007 features organ recordings from various labels. Notably missing is the music of J. S. Bach -- we'll have a special Bach program later on this year. Instead, you'll be hearing other composers who've made important contributions to the organ repertoire.

The DCD Classical 'Cast is now listed in the podcast section of Digg.com. If you're a user of this site, please take a moment to drop in and vote for this podcast or one of its episodes. I'd be surprised if we made it to the top of the charts, but each vote raises the profile of the DCD Classical 'Cast. And that, my friends, indirectly helps the independent classical labels that graciously provide the music you enjoy.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Nivers - Le Prelude du Premier Ton (last three movements)
James Higdon, organ
DCD Records

Mozart: Andante in F
Naoko Imai, organ
Musica Rediviva

Alain: Prelude and Fugue
James Higdon, organ
RBW

Klarg-Elert: Symphonic Chorale, Op. 87 No. 2 (final movement)
Joseph Jackson, organ
DTR