Podcast #24 posted

I spent this past weekend recording and editing the DCD Classical 'Cast episode #24. With everything else going on, it can be difficult sticking to a twice monthly podcasting schedule! I feel this one snuck in just under the wire.

The program continues our survey Beethoven on Monument Records. We also feature a selection from the latest release of guitar music from VGo Recordings, and finish with a sampling from the Ineditia catalog.

- Ralph

American Portrait - new release from Con Brio

We add a new release from Con Brio Recordings to our catalog. "American Portraits" is an exciting piano recital of American music. Pianist Noelle Compinksy Tinturin plays with real conviction, and has chosen a program that does more than just rehash the same basic repertoire.

George Gershwin and Louis Moreau Gottschalk, two composers who normally show up on American collections are represented, but then there's the rest of the CD. Tinturin plays selections by Chick Corea's "Children's Songs" which sound very much like Bartok minatures in this context. And other composers such as William Bolcolm and John Novacek. There's even something from Peter Tinturin, a well-respected Russian emigre composer (and Tinturin's father-in-law).

- Ralph

Inedita of Italy

We are now carrying the Inedita label of Italy. Inedita specialises in under-recorded and previously undiscovered repertoire, which are two areas of classical music I'm always interested in.

The label has a close working relationship with Monument Records, which has a similar recording philosphy. Now begins the grinding work of getting their extensive catalog of recordings processed and entered, but its a task I'm looking forward to.

Be sure to keep watching the website!

- Ralph

Podcast #23 posted

I recorded the DCD Classical 'Cast, episode 23 on Monday, and finished editing and production earlier today.

This time around we feature music by Allegri and Mozart, two composers related to each other in a very unusual fashion (you'll have to listen to the podcast to find out more). We also resume our look at the Monument Records catalog.

- Ralph

When 2 and 2 make 3 -- sort of

I'm predisposed to make connections -- which turns out to be a good thing for DCD's customers. When a label has two or more releases with related repertoire, I'll more often than not group them together and sell them for a reduced price.

The Monument Records titles are now posted on the site, and in the catalog are two CDs devoted to Beethoven's dance music for piano. Both feature pianist Stephen Beck, and there's no duplication of repertoire.

Therefore, I've created a new listing offering both of these releases together for a special price that's about 20% less than the cost of purchasing them individually.

Just part of the service here at DCD -- and one of the advantages to reading this blog. I'll be creating a special banner for the home page soon which will run about a month, but the offer itself will remain good as long as the product is available (as only you, dear reader will know).

- Ralph

Beethoven String Quartet Music

Today I completed the final entry of the Monument Records catalog -- sort of. I still need to post some audio samples, but that's a much more involved process than clacking away at a keyboard, so it will take a little while.

This release collects various string quartet fragments and sketches from Beethoven's notebooks, and gives us a fascinating hint of what might have been. The centerpiece of the album is the "Brilliant" String Quartet, which gets it name not from the quality of the music itself, but as a dedication to noted Beethoven scholar Ira F. Brilliant. The quartet was realized by Giovanni Biamanti, and is decidedly more successful and closer to the spirit of Beethoven than most posthumous collaborations I've heard.

- Ralph