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

DCD 091 - Violin Solo 5

This podcast we feature selections from Violin Solo, Vol. 5, with violinist Renate Eggebrecht. This is the latest installment of this fascinating series from Troubadisc. As in the other volumes, Eggebrecht concentrates on solo works composed in the 20th Century. In volume five, she presents a recital of solo violin music by Eastern European composers, such as Sergei Prokofiev and Eduard Tubin.

Like volumes 3 and 4, this is an SACD recording. If you have a regular CD player, this disc will sound just fine. But if you have an SACD player, you'll be able to fully appreciate Eggebrecht's subtly of expression in the more finely detailed sound.

DCD Classical 'Cast #091 Violin Solo 5

- Ralph


This program we play:

Sergei Prokofiev: Sonata for Solo Violin, Op. 115, mvt. 1
Renate Eggebrecht, violin
Troubadisc

Eduard Tubin: Sonata for Solo Violin
Renate Eggebrecht, violin
Troubadisc


Grzyna Bacewicz: Sonata for Solo Violin, mvts II & III
Renate Eggebrecht, violin
Troubadisc