DCD 094 - Centennial Celebration, Part 1

 In 1995 the University of Wisconsin at Madison School of Music celebrated its 100th anniversary. To commemorate the event, the school commissioned six composers with ties to Wisconsin to write works for the various student and faculty ensembles. The composers were then invited to the school to serve as artists in residence, and to be present for the premier of their works. This year-long celebration was recorded, and resulting two-CD set, Centennial Commissions,  is a stunning collection of both the creativity of these six composers and the high level of musicianship of the commissioning ensembles.

In order to give this music its due, we're taking two podcast episodes to explore this release. In this part, we sample selections from the first disc in the set.

DCD Classical 'Cast #094 - Centennial Celebration, Part 1

Remember, you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast -- just click on the link above and enjoy!

 - Ralph

This program we play:

Daron Hagen: Concerto for Brass Quintet, mvts. 1 & 2
The Wisconsin Brass Quintet
from "Centennial Commissions"
UW-Madison School of Music release

David Ott: Gathering of Waters, mvts, 3 & 4
The Windgra Woodwind Quintet
from "Centennial Commissions"
UW-Madison School of Music release



Joan Tower: Rapids
Ursula Oppens, piano; UW-Madison Symphony Orchestra; David E. Becker, conductor
from "Centennial Commissions"
UW-Madison School of Music release

DCD 093 - October on Achill

Redmond O'Toole is a classical guitarist who moves easily between the classical world and that of traditional Irish music. His instrument, the "Brahms guitar" is an unusual eight-stringed guitar with a special resonating box and held like a cello.

O'Toole uses the instrument to great effect, especially on his first CD with VGo Records. October on Achill features O'Toole performing Irish music with many of the same musicians he's been playing informally with (on the island of Achill) for the past 15 years.

The result is of an hour's worth of excellent and exciting performances that successfully straddles Redmond O'Toole's two musical worlds.

DCD Classical 'Cast #093 - October on Achill

Remember: you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast -- just click on the link above and enjoy!

- Ralph

This program we play:

Morrison's Jig/Drowsy Maggie/The Traveller - Traditional
Eleanor Plunkett - Turlough O'Carolan
Redmond O'Toole, guitar
from "October on Achill"
a VGo release

The Castle of Dromore - Traditional
The Boys of Blue Hill/Cronin's Hornpipe - Traditional
Redmond O'Toole, guitar
from "October on Achill"
a VGo release


Miss Bailey - Mauro Giuliani
The Nine Points of Roguery/The Lark in the Morning/The Kesh Jig - Traditional 
Redmond O'Toole, guitar
from "October on Achill"
a VGo release

DCD 092 - Vincenzo Albrici: Concerti Sacre

Vinceno Albrici (1631-1696) spent a great deal of time in the service of Queen Christina of Sweden. So it's no surprise that Swedish-based label Musica Rediviva would release an album dedicated to this composer.

The compositions are all "sacred concertos." That is, works that adapted the new concerto style of vocal composition (contrasting arias and choruses) to liturgical use.

Albrici was a champion of the genre, along with Heinrich Schutz, who he worked with in Queen Christina's court. Schutz was a major influence on Johann Sebastian Bach -- and there's a connection to Albrici as well. After being dismissed from the court at Dresden, Albrici was hired as organist at Thomaskirche in Liepzig in 1681 -- a position Bach would later hold as well.

DCD Classical 'Cast #092 -Vincenzo Abrici: Concerti Sacre

- Ralph

This program we play:

Vincenzo Albrici: Sinfonia fro two violins and basso continuo
Capella Augustina; Matteo Messori, conductor
Musica Rediviva

Vincenzo Albrici: Quantus amor Jesu for baritone and basso continuo
Capella Augustina; Matteo Messori, conductor
Musica Rediviva

Vincenzo Albrici: Ave Jesu Christe for two sopranos and basso continuo

Capella Augustina; Matteo Messori, conductor
Musica Rediviva

Vincenzo Albrici: Venite omnes gentes
Capella Augustina; Matteo Messori, conductor
Musica Rediviva