Thursday, June 11, 2009

"Das Jahr" featured in the DCD Classical 'Cast podcast

In 1842 Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel (brother of Felix) completed her cycle of characteristic piano pieces, "Das Jahr." Each of the twelve movements is named after a month, and each paints a different musical mood. 

Originally scholars thought "Das Jahr" was a musical diary of Fanny's trip to Italy the year before. But now it's thought the work means much more than that. In episode 70 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" we fill in some of the background surrounding this remarkable work, and sample selections from Wolfram Lorenzen's performance of it on the Troubadisc label.

Remember: you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast -- just a computer.

  - Ralph

Monday, June 8, 2009

Bach at Leufsta Bruk

Hans Fagius performs a program of Bach on the 1728 Cahman Organ in Sweden. We've just uploaded sound files for this outstanding Musica Rediviva release, "Bach at Leufsta Bruk." So you can listen -- before you buy!

- Ralph