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