The DCD Classical 'Cast: October 2009

Sunday, October 25, 2009

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

Monday, October 12, 2009

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.