DCD 082 - Christmas Vespers

Episode #82 of the DCD Classical 'Cast podcast features selections from a new recording by the Motor City Brass Quintet. Christmas Vespers is a wonderful collection of holiday music played by some of the finest brass musicians in Detroit. The album gets it title from a work by American composer John Harbison.

"Christmas Vespers" follows the outline of a traditional vespers service, and Harbison weaves traditional carols into his musical tapestry. A fascinating work, and a thrilling recording for anyone who loves brass ensembles!

- Ralph

This episode we play:

The First Noel
Motor City Brass Quintet
from "Christmas Vespers"
BrassJar Music

Carol of the Bells
Motor City Brass Quintet
from "Christmas Vespers"
BrassJar Music

Harbison: Christmas Vespers - Two Choral Preludes for Advent
Motor City Brass Quintet
from "Christmas Vespers"
BrassJar Music

Anderson: Sleigh Ride
Motor City Brass Quintet
from "Christmas Vespers"
BrassJar Music

Harbison: Christmas Vespers - Little Fantasy on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Motor City Brass Quintet
from "Christmas Vespers"
BrassJar Music

DCD 081 - American Journeys

Clipper Erickson has long been a champion of American music. So it only make sense that this talented pianist would eventually record an album of said music.

"American Journey" is showcased in episode #81 of the DCD Classical 'Cast. We sample selections from some of the better-known composers, such as Roy Harris and Quincy Porter. We also feature music from composers deserving more attention, such as Nathaniel Dett, the son of former slaves, and Rubin Goldmark, who at one time counted George Gershwin (also represented on the CD) as one of his students.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Roy Harris: American Ballads, Nos. 1-3
Clipper Erickson, piano
from "American Journey"
DTR

Rubin Goldmark: Prairie Idylls, Nos. 2-3
Clipper Erickson, piano
from "American Journey"
DTR

Nathaniel Dett: In the Bottoms, mvts. 4-5
Clipper Erickson, piano
from "American Journey"
DTR

Quincy Porter: Piano Sonata, mvts. 2-3
Clipper Erickson, piano
from "American Journey"
DTR

DCD 080 - Flute Moments

In episode #80 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" we feature selections from "Flute Moments with Teresa Beaman."

Teresa Beaman is a reknowned performer and educator. She's toured extensively as a flute soloist, and has commissioned several works for her instrument. "Flute Moments" is a collection of works by 20th Century American composers.

In our podcast, we play excerpts from three of them: Lowell Liebermann, Robert Muczynski, and Edwin Burton. The latter composed his Sonatina for flutist Samuel Baron. Baron was one of Beaman's teachers, giving this work especial significance for Beaman.


- Ralph

This program we play:

Eldin Burdon - Sonatina for Flute and Piano, Mvts. II and III
Teresa Beaman, flute; Jane Davis Maldonado, piano
from: Flute Moments with Teresa Beaman,
Laurel Records release

Lowell Liebermann - Sonata for Flute and Piano, OP. 23 I. Lento con rubato
Teresa Beaman, flute; Andreas Werz, piano
Laurel Records release

Robert Muczynski - Moments for Flute and Piano, Op. 47, Mvts. II and III
Teresa Beaman, flute; Jane Davis Maldonado, piano,
Laurel Records release

DCD 079 - Fanny Mendelssohn's Chamber Music

Episode #79 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" presents three works from a Troubadisc CD. "Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel: Piano Chamber Music" includes music composed when she was young, after her marriage, and the year of her death.

Although not given the same career opportunities as her brother Felix, Fanny enjoyed a rich creative life. While her father expected her to abandon composing after marriage, her husband, Prussian court painter Wilhelm Hensel encouraged Fanny to continue.

The music on this recording presents a fascinating look at this very talented composer.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel: Piano Quartet in A-flat major, mvt. 1

Renate Eggebrecht, violin; David Cann, viola, Friedemann Kupsa, cello; Stefan Mickisch, piano

Troubadisc

Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel: String Quartet in E-flat major, mvts. 2 & 3

Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet

Troubadis

Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel: Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 11, final mvt.

Renate Eggebrecht, violin; Friedemann Kupsa, cello; Stefan Mickisch, piano

Troubadisc

DCD 078 - Beethoven's Forgotten String Quartets

Monument Records is a label dedicated to the music of Beethoven. But not just the standard repertoire of Beethoven. Rather, Monument explores the more unusual parts of Beethoven's output. Their release "Beethoven: Forgotten String Quartets" is a good example.

This CD brings together a variety of mostly unheard scraps from the master's worktable. The Covington Quartet plays some sketches for string quartets left unfinished at Beethoven's death. They also perform some of Beethoven's contrapuntal studies, as well as other works transcribed for string quartet by Beethoven and others.

The "DCD Classical 'Cast" episode 78 samples selections from this album. Even though the works are short, they present a fascinating look into the creative process of one of the world's greatest composers.

- Ralph

This episode we play:

Beethoven: Minuet and Trio in A-flat major, Hess 33 & 88

Covington Quartet

Monument Records

Beethoven: Five four-part double fugues in double counterpoint, Hess 243, Nos. 1-3

Covington Quartet

Monument Records

Beethoven: Andante Favori, WoO 57, transcribed for string quartet, Hess A10

Covington Quartet

Monument Records

Beethoven: Two four-part triple fugues, Hess 244

Covington Quartet

Monument Records

DCD 077 - The Art of the Fugue -- from Sweden

"Die Kunst der Fuge" was Johann Sebastian Bach's compendium of his contrapuntal skill. The work starts with a very simple subject, and moves through an increasingly complex series canons and fugues.

Brengt Tibukait performs this amazing work on an instrument of the period, a 1728 Cahman organ in a new SACD release from Musica Rediviva. Episode #77 of the DCD Classical 'Cast features selections from this new release, including the first (and simplest) fugue, and the final (and most complex) fugue, left incomplete at Bach's death.

- Ralph

This episode we play:

Bach: Contapunctus I & II

Brengt Tribukait, organ

Musica Rediviva

Bach: Contrapunctus XII Recutus & inversus

Brengt Tribukait, organ

Musica Rediviva

Bach: Canon alla Decima in Contrapunto alla Terza

Brengt Tribukait, organ

Musica Rediviva

DCD 076 - A Flourish of Brass

Episode #76 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" has, I think a heroic quality to it. The Ensemble Pegasus, Tokyo is a wonderful collection of extraordinary brass players who, under the direction of Norihasa Yamamoto, turn in one thrilling performance after another on a new Musica Rediviva release.

Appropriately titled "A Flourish of Brass," this SACD presents an aspect of brass ensemble playing that's seldom explored. Yamamoto arranged works by Mahler, Brahms, and even Johann Strauss for the Ensemble Pegasus. In each case, the music lays well on the instruments while capturing the essence of the original.

This release is a Super Audio Compact Disc, so if you have an SACD player, you'll experience the full impact of this wonderful ensemble. But not to worry if you don't -- "A Flourish of Brass" is a hybrid SACD, so it will play just fine on a regular CD player (and sound pretty good, too).

- Ralph

This program we play:
Paul Dukas: Fanfare pour preceder "La Peri"
Ensemble Pegasus, Tokyo
Musica Rediviva

N. Yamamato: Four Japanese Songs Suite, Nos. 2 & 3
Ensemble Pegasus, Tokyo
Musica Rediviva

Paul Hindemith: Morgenmusicck for Pinoer Musiktag, mvts. 2 & 3
Ensemble Pegasus, Tokyo
Musica Rediviva

J. Strauss (arr. Yamamoto): Pizzicato-Polka
Ensemble Pegasus, Tokyo
A Flourish of Brass
Musica Rediviva

Brahms: (arr. Yamamoto): Choralvorspiel "O Welt, Ich muss dich lassen"
Ensemble Pegasus, Tokyo
Musica Rediviva

Mahler (arr. Yamamoto): Adagio - Was mir die Liebe erzahit
Ensemble Pegasus, Tokyo
Musica Rediviva

DCD 075 - Prokofiev for Piano

Episode #75 of the "DCD Classical Cast" presents selections from a CD by internationally acclaimed pianist Temirzhan Yerzhanov.

In 1942 Prokofiev spent a year in Kazakhstan, where he completed a number of important works, including the score to Ivan the Terrible, music for the ballet Cinderella, and his opera "War and Peace."

Yerzhanov is a native of Kazahkstan, and -- because of the geographical connect -- became fascinated by this period in Prokofiev's career. Yerzhanov presented a recital of the music Prokofiev composed in his native land. That recital became the basis of this new release from the Con Brio label.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Prokofiev: Three pieces from the ballet Cinderella, Op. 95, Pavana and Gavotte
Temirzhan Yerzhanov, piano
Con Brio

Prokofiev: Six pieces from the ballet Cinderella, Op. 102, Nos. 1-4
Temirzhan Yerzhanov, piano
Con Brio

Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1, mvts. 3 & 4
Temirzhan Yerzhanov, piano
Con Brio

DCD 074 - Token Creek Bach, Part 2

Bach's "Musical Offering" is the subject of the DCD Classical 'Cast, episode #74. In 2007 the Token Creek Chamber Music Festival presented a talk on "The Musical Offering," followed by a performance of the work.

The talk forwarded a theory about the circumstances surrounding Johann Sebastian Bach's visit to the court of Frederic the Great in 1748, where his son, Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach was employed. Tradition has it that Frederic the Great, an amateur musician, gave J.S. Bach a theme to improvise a three- and then a six-voice fugue from. But some think that the awkward theme was actually written by C.P.E. Bach, deliberately constructed to make counterpoint especially difficult.

Did Carl Philipp want to show up his father? Was the idea to show how old-fashioned and out-moded counterpoint was? Whatever the reason, J.S. Bach would take the theme, and eventually present Frederic with "The Musical Offering," a collection that had both a three- and six-part ricercare crafted from it. The Offering has further examples of masterly counterpoint, as well as a trio sonata written in the new style his son championed.

While the origins of the theme may be unclear, there's no doubt that it yielded a musical masterwork.

This podcast we feature selections from the Token Creek release of "The Musical Offering." All tracks were recorded live at the 2007 festival.

- Ralph

This program we play:

From Bach's "The Musical Offering" BWV 1079
Token Creek Recordings, TCR119


Ricercare a 3
John Harbison, piano

Trio (Sonata sopr'll soggetto reale), mvts. 2 & 3
Adam Kuenzel, flute; Rose Mary Harbison, violin; John Harbison, piano; Karl Lavine, cello

Ricercare a 6
John Harbison, piano

DCD 073 - Token Creek Beethoven

This episode we continue our survey of the Token Creek Recordings catalog. Episode #73 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" features excerpts from two live recordings from the Token Creek Chamber Music Festival 1997 season.

The CD has two Beethoven piano trios performed by members of the Token Creek Festival. One of the goals of the festival is to present fresh performances of chamber music to make audiences take a second look at well-known works.

These live recordings are no exception. I think you'll find them enjoyable and thought-provoking.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Beethoven: Piano Trio in E-flat major, No. 70 No. 2, Mvt. 1
Rose Mary Harbison, violin; Rhonda Rider, cello; Robert D. Levin, piano
Token Creek Recordings

Beethoven: Piano Trio in E major, Op. 1, No. 1, Mvts. 2 & 3
Rose Mary Harbison, violin; Rhonda Rider, cello; Judith Gordon, piano
Token Creek Recordings

DCD 072 - Token Creek Bach

This episode of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" we continue our survey of the Token Creek Recordings catalog. One of the purposes of the Token Creek Chamber Music Festival is to present familiar works in new and interesting ways -- and their performances of Bach concerti illustrate that nicely.

The festival's performance of Bach's Concerto for Two Keyboards features two very different makes of pianos, which provides dynamic contrast. The accompanying orchestra has been reduced to a very small chamber group, which throws the soloists into stark relief.

Also included on this CD are two "Brandenburg" Concerti, both with stripped-down orchestras that reveal the multiple layers of Bach's writing. The same is true of the festival's presentation of Bach's Violin Concerto in A minor, which features an amazingly fast (but perfectly appropriate) opening movement.

These live recordings must be heard in order to comprehend just how refreshingly original are the performances.

Remember, you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast -- just a computer.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Bach: Concerto for Two Keyboards in C major, BWV 1061, mvt. 1
Soloists: Judith Gorden & Christopher Taylor, piano
Rosemary Harbison, Rictor Noren, violin; John Harbison, viola; Parry Karp, cello; Ross Gilliland, bass
Token Creek Recordings

Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-flat major, BWV 1051, mvt. 2
Soloists: Larry Neuman & Sally Chisholm, viola
Rictor Noren, John Harbison, viola; Karl Lavine, cello; Ross Gilliland, bass; John Chappell Stowe, harpsichord
Token Creek Recordings

Bach: Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041, mvt. 1
Soloist: Rose Mary Harbison, violin
Kangwon Kim, Edith Hines, violin; John Harbison, viola; Rhonda Rider, cello; Ross Gilliland, bass; John Chappell Stowe, continuo
Token Creek Recordings

Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047, mvt. 2
Soloists; Adam Kuenzel, flute; Mark Fink, oboe
Rose Mary Harbison, Edith Hines, violin; John Harbison, viola; Rhonda Rider cello; Ross Gilliand, bass; John Chappell Stowe, continuo
Token Creek Recordings

DCD 071 - Token Creek 2001

Episode 71 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" features music from the Token Creek Chamber Music Festival. The festival's series of recordings document some of the performance highlights since the founding in 1989. In this podcast we play selections from three works featured on a single release.

The three performances featured in this program all come from the 2001 season, and demonstrate the far-ranging programming of the festival.

- Ralph

In this program we play:
Igor Stravinsky: Sonata for Two Pianos, mvts. 1 and 2
Judith Gordon and Robert Levin, pianos
Token Creek Recordings

Franz Joseph Haydn: Piano Trio in D, Hob. XV:23 (first movement)
Rose Mary Harbison, violin; Ronda Rider, cello, and Robert Levin, piano
Token Creek Recordings

John Harbison: Between Two Worlds: Part Four
Margorie Elinor Dix, soprano, Rhonda Rider and Karl Levine, cello; Judith Gorden and Robert Levin, pianos
Token Creek Recordings

DCD 070 - Das Jahr

Episode 70 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" features music by Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel; specifically, "Das Jahr." This musical cycle for solo piano was completed in 1842 and remained unpublished during Fanny's lifetime. 

The work has twelve movements, each named for a different month of the year, and each with a different character. Wolfram Lorenzen, the pianist for this recording, clearly has an affinity for the work, balancing technical brilliance with a lightness of touch required for this mid-century masterwork.

This Troubadisc release is actually the first recording of the original manuscript version of this work, which makes Wolfram's performance of "Das Jahr" doubly enlightening.

And remember, you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast -- just a computer.

 - Ralph

This program we play selections from:

"Das Jahr" by Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel

Wolfram Lorenzen, piano

A Troubadisc release

DCD 069 - Two Sides of the Renaissance

Episode #69 of the DCD Classical 'Cast we sample music from two sides of the renaissance; the sacred and the secular. Representing the scared, we play two works by Luca Marenzio, performed by the Rudgers Collegium Musicum. They come from the DTR release "Madrigalists at Prayer."

Representing the secular is music from Mr. Arbeau's School of Dancing, as performed by the Convivium Musicum. Two different styles from the late 1500's. 

 - Ralph

This program we play:

Luca Marenzio: Domine, quando veneris

Rutgers Collegium Musicum; Andrew Kirkman, conductor
DTR

Thoinot Arbeau: Pavane D'Espange, Dance du Roy, Galliarde: la Traditore, Galliarde: La Traditore, Volet
Convivium Musicum; Sven Berger, director
Musica Rediviva

Luca Marenzio: Cantante Domino

Rutgers Collegium Musicum; Andrew Kirkman, conductor
DTR

Thoinot Arbeau: Branle de l'Official; Branle des poins; Branle des hermite; Branle de Poictou 
Convivium Musicum; Sven Berger, director
Musica Rediviva

DCD 068 - Mahler from Laurel

In episode #68 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" we feature an extensive selection from an unusual recording. Rudolph Barashai performed the Mahler Fifth Symphony with Die Junge Deutsche Philharmonie. The resulting concert was electrifying, and fortunately it was recorded. Perhaps the most remarkable part of the story is that the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie is made up of talented high school students from around Germany. 

Laurel Records released the resulting performance, and it's well worth a listen!

We round out the podcast with an excerpt from another Laurel Records CD - the Miklos Rosza String Quartets, performed by the Pro Arte Quartet.

 - Ralph

This program we play:

Miklos Rosza: String Quartet No. 1, first movement

Pro Arte Quartet

Laurel Records

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 5, parts 4 & 5

Die Junge Deutsche Philharmonie; Rudolph Barshai, conductor

Laurel Records

DCD 067 - Henk Badings: Trio-Cosmos

Episode #67 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" features an unusual composition and an unusual performance of it. Dutch composer Henk Badings wrote a series of sixteen trios for violins. These short works were designed for pedagogic purposes as well as being legitimate concert works. Their collective title, "Trio-Cosmos" is a nod to Bartok's "Microcosmos."

Violinist Vartan Manoogian set out to record all sixteen trios -- and to record three parts of each work. By doing so, he wanted to create not just a recording of each trio, but also "music-minus-one" versions that students could play along with. Unfortunately Manoogian died before completing his traversal, but the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, where he served on the faculty, released some of his finished trio recordings, on a CD titled "Henk Badings: Trio -Cosmos."

Bedings writes in a very accessible style, and Manoogian, playing with overdubs of himself, turns in a marvelous interpretation of these works.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Henk Bedings: Trio-Cosmos II, movement 1
Vartan Manoogian, violins
UWMSM

Henk Bedings: Trio-Cosmos III, movements 2 & 3
Vartan Manoogian, violins
UWMSM

Henk Bedings: Trio-Cosmos IV, movements 2 & 3
Vartan Manoogian, violins
UWMSM

Henk Bedings: Trio-Cosmos VI, movements 3 & 4
Vartan Manoogian, violins
UWMSM

DCD 066 - American Masterpieces

Episode #66 of the DCD Classical 'Cast showcases the latest release from the Seattle Pro Musica. "American Masterpieces" is a collection of American choral works from the last 50 years (or thereabouts).

Samuel Barber and Leonard Bernstein are represented, as well as newer composers such as Morten Lauridsen. Also featured are works commissioned by the Seattle Pro Musica, and two selections by their director, Karen P. Thomas.

It's a beautiful collection of choral works, beautifully performed.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Morten Lauridsen: Se per havervi, oime from "Madrigali: Six Fire Songs on Italian Renaissance Poetry"
The Seattle Pro Musica; Karen P. Thomas, conductor

Samuel Barber: The Coolin' from "Reincarnations"
The Seattle Pro Musica; Karen P. Thomas, conductor

How Can I Keep From Singing?, arranged by Karen P. Thomas
The Seattle Pro Musica; Karen P. Thomas, conductor

Leonard Bernstein: Chichester Psalms
The Seattle Pro Musica; Karen P. Thomas, conductor

DCD 065 - Solo Guitar, Solo Winds

Episode #65 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" features music from two new releases. Jerome Mouffe is a gifted young guitarist whose debut recording "Capriccio" just came out on VGo Recordings. Les Timming has been an active composer and wind performer for decades. A recording of his ground-breaking solo recital was recently reissued by the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Music.

What do these two artists have in common? An amazing command of their instruments, and truly unique artistic voices.

Mouffe's album focuses on the works written in the musical form of the caprice. The music is light, free-flowing, and technically demanding. Mouffe performs it all with ease.

Les Timming is equally at home in the classical and jazz worlds. His recording "Les Timmings - Solo" presents this artist performing a recital of his own compositions and improvisations. By using a different instrument for each piece, Timmings presents a variety of styles and moods all unified by his creative imagination.

I like to think this podcast has a little something for everyone!

- Ralph

This program we play:

Nicolo Paganini: Caprice No. 11
Jerome Mouffe, guitar
VGo Recordings

Les Timming: First Improvisation
Les Timming, alto flute
University of Wisconsin

Luigi Legnani: Caprice No. 22
Jerome Mouffe, guitar
VGo Recordings

Les Timming: Second Improvisation
Les Timming, soprano saxophone
University of Wisconsin

Luigi Legnani: Fantasia, Op. 19
Jerome Mouffe, guitar
VGo Recordings

DCD 064 - Gunnar Johansen

Episode #64 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" features performances -- and music -- by Gunnar Johansen. The University of Wisconsin Madison School of Music has released a two CD set documenting the talent of this remarkable artist, with recordings ranging from 1957 to 1972.

Johansen left his native Holland to study in Berlin with Ferruccio Busoni. He emigrated to the United States in the 1920's and had the honor of being the first artist-in-residence at any American university when he accepted the post at the University of Wisconsin. In addition to teaching and composing, Johansen maintained an active recording career, and composed over 700 works in various genres.

On this podcast we play an excerpt from one of his piano sonatas, as well as some of the core compositions in Johansen's repertoire.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Johannes Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 3, Mvt. 2
Gunnar Johansen, piano
from "Gunnar Johansen Centennial Celebration"

Edvard Grieg: I Wander Deep in Thought
Gunnar Johansen, piano
from "Gunnar Johansen Centennial Celebration"

J.S. Bach/Ferrucio Busoni: Prelude and Fugue in D minor
Gunnar Johansen, piano
from "Gunnar Johansen Centennial Celebration"

Gunnar Johansen: Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, "Pearl Harbor" (finale)
Gunnar Johansen, piano
from "Gunnar Johansen Centennial Celebration"

DCD 063 – Oh no, the oboe!

Episode #63 of the DCD Classical ‘Cast features two releases with oboist Mark Fink. These CDs from the University of Wisconsin’s record label showcase two themed recitals by Professor Fink. “Music for Oboe and Strings” has Fink joining forces with the Pro Arte Quartet for a selection of works ranging from familiar composers such as Mozart and Britten to lesser-known masters such as Bernhard Henrik Crusell and John Harbison.

“Russian Music of the Twentieth Century” ventures away from purely classical music. Mark Fink performs a sonata for oboe and piano by Boris Asafyev, as well as some traditional folk songs attractively arranged by Victor Gorodinsky. Gorodinsky, a master of the Russian guitar plays some duets with Fink. He also conducts his ensemble, the University of Wisconsin Madison Russian Folk Orchestra, surrounding the oboist with traditional Russian instruments like the balalaika.

The program we play:

Bernhard Henrick Crussell: Divertimento in C major, Op. 9
Mark Fink, oboe; Pro Arte String Quartet
From “Music for Oboe and Strings”
UWMSM

Traditional, arr. Victor Gorodinsky: The Brode Steppe and The Quail
Mark Fink, oboe; Victor Gorodinsky, guitar; University of Wisconsin Madison Russian Folk Orchestra
From “Russian Music for Oboe in the Twentieth Century”
UWMSM

Boris Asafyev: Sonatina for Oboe and Piano
Mark Fink, oboe; Dmitri Novgorodsky, piano
From “Russian Music for Oboe in the Twentieth Century”
UWMSM

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Quartet in F major for oboe, violin, viola and violoncello, KV 370Mark Fink, oboe; members of the Pro Arte Quartet
From “Music for Oboe and Strings”
UWMSM

DCD 062 - The Big Bad Bassoon

Episode #62 of the "DCD Classical Cast" features two new releases from the University of Wisconsin's label. And both showcase the bassoon, albeit in completely different settings.

Marc Vallon's recital disc, "50 Years of French Bassoon Music (1950-2000)" presents a selection of contemporary Gallic compositions for the bassoon in a chamber music setting. The music is imaginative, beautiful, and very much in the classical genre.

Richard Lottridge's "Something New" is just that -- a bassoon recording that's unlike others. Lottridge assembles a jazz combo around himself (piano, bass, drums and vibes) and performs his original compositions for his instrument. I know some people don't like their genres mixed in a single podcast, but I think this recording fits equally in the jazz and classical categories. And besides, I dig it (I hope you do, too).

- Ralph

This episode we play:

Alexander Tansman: sonatine for bassoon and piano
Marc Vallon, bassoon; Tod Welbourne, piano
UWMSM

Richard Lottridge: Grandfather's Waltz
Richard Lottridge, bassoon; James Lattimer, vibes; Joan Wildman, piano; Richard Davis, bass; Claire Areniuns, drums
UWMSM

Pierre Petis: Theme et Variations
Marc Vallon, bassoon
UWMSM

Richard Lottridge: Seventh Heaven
Richard Lottridge, bassoon; James Lattimer, vibes; Joan Wildman, piano; Richard Davis, bass; Claire Areniuns, drums
UWMSM

Philippe Hersant: Duo Sephardim for bassoon and viola
Marc Vallon, bassoon; Sally Chisholm, viola
WUMSM

DCD 061 - Bach Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin

The 61st episode of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" features the violin artistry of Garrett Fischbach. His recording of Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin has garnered critical acclaim, and the CD has done well since its initial release.

This two disc set includes all three sonatas and partitas for solo violin that Bach composed. These solo works provide ample opportunity for artistic expression, and Fischbach delivers on every track.

As The American Record Guide said:

The playing is very clean... His textures are refreshingly light, and he often rolls his chords, as was done in the 18th Century, rather than break them. Sections of movements are clearly distinguished by changes in dynamics or articulation. [Fischbach] sometimes inserts his own personal touches, as in the Fugue in Sonata 1 where he plays one passage sul ponticello.

We present three selections from this extraordinary recording on this podcast episode.

And remember: you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast. You can listen on your computer, or download it to other kinds of players or smart phones!

- Ralph

This episode we play:

Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonata No. 1 in G minor for Solo Violin, BWV 1001 (Adagio and Fugue)
Garrett Fischbach, violin

Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 2 in D minor for Solo Violin, BWV 1004 (Chaconne)
Garrett Fischbach, violin

Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 3 in E major for Solo Violin, BWV 1006 (mvts. 3-5)
Garrett Fischbach, violin

DCD 060 - Music for Viola

In episode #60 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" we showcase a new release from Laurel Records. Laurel's been building an impressive catalog of compositions by Ernest Bloch, and this CD adds substantially to that. "Bloch - Music for Viola" brings together his music for solo viola in a variety of settings.

Included is the Suite Hebraique for Solo Viola and Orchestra; "Nigan" for Solo Viola and String Quartet; the Suite for Solo Viola and Piano; and the Suite for Solo Viola. All of these works are ably performed by virtuoso violist Karen Elaine. The Los Angeles Times once described her as "...the soloist to bring the viola out of obscurity." With this recording, she demonstrates how true that assessment was.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Ernest Bloch: "Nigan" for Solo Viola and String Quartet
Karen Elaine, viola
Laurel Records

Ernest Bloch: Suite for Solo Viola and Piano, Mvt. 1 - Lento
Karen Elaine, viola; Delores Stevens, piano
Laurel Records

Ernest Bloch: Suite Hebraique for Viola and Orchestra, Mvts. 2 & 3
Karen Elain, viola; London Symphony Orchestra; David Amos, conductor
Laurel Records