New Podcast Episode Posted

Tonight I finished and posted Episode #30 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast." The program features selections from Troubadisc's latest SACD release, "Violin Solo, Volume 3." In addition to this new solo recording by Renate Eggebrecht, I also included some of her ensemble work.

You'll hear her performing with her husband, cellist Friedemann Kupsa in a Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel piano trio. And I end the podcast with this husband and wife duo as half of the Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet performing Arthur Bliss' second string quartet.

And I've created a special offer. While all three discs in the "Violin Solo" series are available for sale separately, I've put them together in a set at a special 20% discount.

- Ralph

New Release from Troubadisc

We just received the latest SACD release from Troubadisc. It's "Violin Solo, Volume 3," performed by Renate Eggebrecht. Like the previous two volumes, Eggebrecht builds a program around a theme, and then expands on it.

This release presents the solo violin music of Paul Hindemith. Eggebrecht plays three of his sonatas, as well as two previously unrecorded works. She then includes works by two more contemporary composers: Romanian Anatol Vieru, and Russian minimalist Vladimir Martynov.

As with Volume 2 (also an SACD release), the recording is impeccable -- as is the playing. We're happy to add this exciting release to our catalog.

- Ralph

Podcast episode #29 now available

I just posted epispode #29 of the DCD Classical 'Cast. The title is "Summertime Fare." All of the selections have a light texture, which is the common theme.

We start with a Baroque lute duet performed by John Schneiderman, and then sample some short piano works of Brahms ably played by Vera Breheda.

The final selection is a concerto for double bass. The title may suggest a heavy work, but it's actually a short early classical composition for double bass and harpsichord. And so the podcast ends on a light (but very low) note.

- Ralph

20,000 Downloads

An amazing thing happened today -- the DCD Classical 'Cast passed the 20,000 download mark. Yes, I know. There are far more popular podcasts than our modest effort who boast 20,000 downloads a month -- or sometimes even a day!

Nevertheless, for a program dedicated to classical music, and one further limited to independent labels that we carry, I think this is an important milestone to achieve.

The artists and labels that give us permission to use their material are grateful for your attention -- and we certainly are, too. While most of our listeners are here in the States, we have goodly number of international listeners. Spain, Singapore, the Netherlands, Thailand, the Czech Republic, Australia -- it's an impressive list.

We'll do our best to continue delivering the best podcast we can. Thank you for listening.

Let's see how long it takes us to double that number....

- Ralph

August Heat

We're pulling together tracks for the next installment of the DCD Records Podcast. It's pretty hot in Central Virginia right now -- in fact, local authorities are considering water restrictions (we've still not fully recovered from the draught five years ago).

With a heat index of 105 degrees, I'm interested in keeping everything light -- clothing, food, drink, and music. Look for a program of chamber music for DCD Classical 'Cast #29. I should have the selections finalized later today, and we should be ready to product the episode later this week.

- Ralph