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"