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