Podcast episode #59 posted

Part two of our holiday music special is now available. As always, I had a lot of fun putting these December shows together, and I hope they bring you some enjoyment.

We feature selections from two recordings. "A Longwood Gardens Christmas" starts off episode #59 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast." Organist Michael Stairs performs two familiar selections, "O Christmas Tree," and an arrangement of "In dulci jubilo."

Janis Lusens' "Child of the Stars" is a choral cantata that borrows heavily from Lusens' Latvian musical heritage, as well as some traditional holiday melodies.

And remember -- you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast! You can play the show through your computer, or transfer the MP3 file to any MP3 player or smart phone.

From the entire staff at DCD Records, we'd like to wish you a wonderful holiday season, and a safe and prosperous New Year.

- Ralph

Episode #56 of the DCD Classical 'Cast posted

Program #56 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" features selections from the two new releases from the Con Brio label. And it just happens to be bi-coastal in the process!

Jocelyn Swigger is based at Sunderman Conservatory, in Gettysburg, Pennslyvania, and the Icicle Creek Piano Trio call Leavenworth, Washington their professional home. They may be seperated by a vast distance, but these recording artists are close together where it counts. Both releases feature imaginative performances and some darned good music-making.

Remember, you don't need an iPod to listen to a podcast. Just follow the links and listen!

- Ralph

Debut CD from pianist Jocelyn Swigger

Jocelyn Swigger is a respected member of the Sunderman Conservatory of Music. She's also a top-level pianist, as she demonstrates in her new recording from Con Brio. The disc, entitled "Piano Recital," is just that -- a survey of various works that demonstrate the range of Swigger's talent.

The disc includes perennial favorites such as Chopin and Mozart, as well as some more unusual works, such as Morton Gould's "Boogie-Woogie Etude."

We've just received this disc, and it's now available through DCD Records.

- Ralph

Icicle Creek Piano Trio Debut CD

Con Brio's latest release is a debut album by the Icicle Creek Piano Trio. This young ensemble features Jennifer Caine (violin), Sally Singer (cello), and Oksana Ezhokina (piano). The three perform with a refreshing insight and as with a single mind. Their debut release includes the Ravel Piano Trio in A minor, and the Schubert Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op. 100.

Now available!

- Ralph

Episode #055 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" posted

Program #055 of our podcast presents a variety of odds and ends. There's no real theme, save that all of the tracks haven't appeared before on the show. You'll hear some interesting arrangement of Schubert, Schumann and French baroque composer Jean Mouton. And there's also music by another baroque musician, Vincenzo Albrici.

Remember, you don't need an iPod to listen to a podcast. Just follow the links and listen!

- Ralph

Episode #54 of the DCD Classical Cast published

DCD 054 - An Orchestral Omnibus is now posted.

This edition of the "DCD Classical Cast" features selections from three different orchestral works. We hear a prelude from Arnold Rosner's opera, "The Chronicle of Nine," set in Tudor England. We also play Ernest Bloch's "Scherzo Fantastique" for piano and orchestra, and the finale to Luciano Simone's Symphony No. 4.

- Ralph

Podcast episode No. 53 published

We just posted episode No. 53 of the "DCD Classical Cast." It continues the survey we started in the previous episode of Troubadisc's "Violin Solo" series. Last episode we featured selections from Volumes 1 and 4, the latest release in the series.

This program we play selections from volume 2 and volume 3. Renate Eggebrecht does an outstanding job in these recordings, creating interesting programs of solo violin music from contemporary composers both famous and obscure.

And remember -- you don't need an iPod, or even iTunes, to enjoy a podcast. You can just click on the link to listen, or subscribe by choosing the RSS feed. It's easy!

- Ralph

Podcast episode No. 52 published

We just posted the first installment of a two-part series looking at music for the solo violin. Renate Eggebrecht has recorded four discs of 20th Century solo violin music, and the range of composers, styles, and nationalities gives the series real depth and variety.

Episode 52 of the "DCD Classical Cast," we play music primarily from the newest release in the series, Violin Solo, Volume 4. We fill in with selections from the first volume, subtitled Solo Sonatas in the Spirit of J.S. Bach.

Next podcast we'll round out our look at the series with selections from volumes two and three from this Troubadisc series.

- Ralph

Podcast episode 50 published

Today we uploaded episode #50 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast." For this landmark edition, we went back to one of the themes of our early podcasts -- artist-run labels. Since we started the podcast back in 2006, the music industry has changed dramatically.

At one time an artist-run label would be considered little more than a vanity label. These days, its a standard business model. The artist gets to record what they want, connect directly with their audience over the Internet, and keep most of what their recordings earn (as opposed to the major label system which gives only a fraction of the income to the artist).

This program we feature three outstanding performers. Mark Gardner and Robert de Gaetano are both composers and piano virtuosos, and we feature them performing their own compositions. Violinist Gary Levinson is heard playing Martinu's "Three Madrigals."

Which also makes this a podcast of 20th century music.

Look for changes over the next 50 podcasts -- and don't forget to let us know what you want. You can e-mail us at info@dcdrecords.com, or simply leave a comment in the comment field of this blog.

- Ralph

Podcast Episode #49 posted

Episode No. 49 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" has just been posted. In this program we look at three different American composers with varying degrees of fame. Samuel Barber has it, Arnold Rosner is gaining it, and Ernst Bacon deserves it.

You'll hear the first movement of Barber's String Quartet Op. 11 (the slow movement's the famous one). We also play an outstanding orchestral work by Rosner, and an intimate composition for violin and piano by Bacon.

- Ralph

Podcast Episode #48 posted

I'm really happy with this edition of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" podcast. It features the music of Virginia-based composer Walter Ross, and most if it comes from his new recording on DCD Records. "Walter Ross, Brass Trios."

I've always enjoyed Ross' music (I use his works for the podcast's opening and closing themes), and this album of brass trios is a real treat. Ross started out as a french horn player, so he knows how to write for brass instruments -- and the music shows it.

I'm always excited for our labels when they send us a new release (or two or three). But to have one of our own to offer up. Well, that's something else again.

Enjoy!

- Ralph

Podcast Episode #47 posted

Just posted part two of our Robert Muczynski overview. This particular episode of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" we focus on music from the latter part of Muczunski's career. In addition to his solo piano music, we also play some selections from his other chamber music for flute and for clarinet.

All of the selections come from volume 2 of Muczynski's recital disc on Laural Records.

- Ralph

New John Cage Release

OgreOgress has released a new collection of compositions by John Cage. This is a DVD-Audio release, and features three world premier recordings. "Twenty-Eight," a chamber work composed in 1991 could, according the composer, either be performed separately, or with one of two companion pieces, "Twenty-Six" and "Twenty-Eight."

This release presents all three versions of this work, along with another chamber work, "Three."

Podcast episode #046 posted

The Laurel recordings of composer-pianist Robert Muczysnki have been selling extremely well for us, and I thought it was time to look at those discs in detail. The two-CD series features Muczynski performing a wide range of his piano works that run from his earliest published piano composition on through to one of his last, written in 1994.

With this much music to sample, I decided to break up the program into two podcast episodes. The first part is on episode #46 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast," which I just posted today. It concentrates on Muczynski's earlier works. Part two, which will follow in about two weeks, will have mostly his later compositions.

Interesting music from a truly gifted composer and performer!

- Ralph

Podcast episode #045 posted

This episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast we showcase the winner of the Boston GuitarFest performance competition. One of the prizes for this professionally juried competition is a recording with VGo. We play selections from that prize recording with last year's winner, Christina Pérez Madiedo.

We also go back and sample two works from the previous year's co-winners, Steve Lin and Joseph Williams II.

If you like classical guitar music, then this is the program for you!

- Ralph

Podcast episode #044 posted

Con Brio's new release of Richard Arnell symphonies is so good (in my opinion), we decided to devote an entire episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast to it.

Arnell's music has fairly long movements, so it's nice to give it the space it needs. Hopefully you'll hear enough of both symphonies to get a good idea of how they sound -- and have a desire to hear the entire works.

- Ralph

New Release from Con Brio- Richard Arnell Symphonies

British composer Richard Arnell is a contemporary of Benjamin Britten, and absorbed many of the same influences. Arnell's not as well-know internationally as Britten, but Warren Cohen and the Musica Nova Orchestra hope to change that with their new CD.

Con Brio's latest release features Cohen and the Orchestra performing Arnell's fourth and fifth symphonies. These are well-crafted post-romantic works that continually reward the careful listener.

We'll definitely be including some excerpts on our next podcast.

- Ralph

Podcast episode #043 posted

This episode of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" we present an assortment of choral music. You'll hear selections from groups large and small. We play selections from the Seattle Pro Musica, Rutgers Collegium Musicium, and the Consort Chorale.

The podcast was easy to put together, but the title was a little tricky to come up with. What is the proper word for a group of choirs? I'm not sure it's the correct answer, but I went with "A Collection of Choirs."

- Ralph

Podcast Epsisode 043 published

"A Collection of Choirs" is the latest episode of the "DCD Classical Cast." This time we look at choral music from some of the labels we carry. You'll hear two selections from the Seattle Pro Music, as well as the Rudgers Collegium Musicum and the Consort Chorale.

Compositions range from the renaissance to modern-day England and America.

- Ralph

Podcast episode #042 posted

Con Brio's latest release, "Saudade," features some exciting classical guitar performances by up-and-coming artist Stephen Reck. It's such a great recording, I made it the centerpiece of this edition of the "DCD Classical Cast."

To round out the podcast, we revisit the first release from our own records, "Music from Bales Organ Recital Hall." James Higdon is a great organist, as this CD amply proves.

- Ralph

WVTF and the Soul Masters

Today public radio station WVTF aired another installment of "Captive Audio." This on-going series by reporter Connie Stevens has been profiling some of the artists found on Arcania International's releases.

This week she interviews some surviving members of the Soul Masters, a racially mixed band from the Danville, Virginia area. As with Gene and Teen/Team Beats, who Stevens featured last week, you can find the Soul Masters' recordings on "Ol Virginia Soul, Volume 1."

- Ralph

Podcast episode #040 posted

The first of our two-part look at Musica Rediviva's new releases just got posted today. Episode 40 of the DCD Classical 'Cast looks at two releases that are concerned with new sounds.

The Tribukait/Pettersson/Berg Trio is all about new sounds. This contemporary chamber group comprises of a keyboardist, a flutist and a percussionist, giving them a wide variety of new and unusual instrumental combinations.

Torbjörn Näsbom and Andreas Edlund play music from the Baroque period, but they, too are concerned with new sounds. Näsbom performs on the nyckelharpa, a traditional Swedish folk instrument that's a distant cousin to the medieval hurdy-gurdy (it's that fiddle-like thing in the image above, left).

So our podcast alternates between old music with a new sound, and new music with a new sound. And it all sounds great.

- Ralph

Arcania International Back on the Air!

WVTF reporter Connie Stevens, using Arcania International's CD compilations as a starting point, continues her look at the forgotten soul and rock artists from 1960's Virginia. In the current segment of "Captive Audio, " aired the other day during Morning Edition, she interviewed Gene Brumley, of Gene & the Teen Beats from Martinsville, Virginia. As the band aged, they became Gene & the Team Beats.

If you dig the sound of the Teen/Team Beats Stevens plays in the background, then check out Ol'Virginia Soul, Part 1: Jump Up and Down. You'll find tracks from both versions of the band.

She also mentions Captain Darby and the Buccaneers, a garage/psych band based out of Roanoke, Virginia. Their tune "Look Out" shows up on "Aliens, Psychos & Wild Things, Volume Fore."

- Ralph

Arcania International On The Air!

Brent Hosier, owner of the Arcania International record label was featured on public radio station WVTF during "Morning Edition" today.

It was a pretty exciting time for all of us. We've been working with Brent for some time, trying to get some well-deserved attention to his releases.

Brent's a knowledgable record collector, and his compilations of 1960's garage band and soul records are pretty remarkable. Brent insists only using tracks that haven't been previously released on CD, which keeps the selections fresh-sounding. Further, he's pretty much limited his compilations to Virginia artists (with a few side trips).

Arcania International has two series running. The four volumes of "Aliens, Psychos and Wild Things" focuses on garage and psych bands of the mid- to late-1960s. "Ol' Virginia Soul" collects soul and R&B tracks from (mostly) the Old Dominion on three CDs.

Some of the discs have fallen out of print, and that's where we've come in. DCD Records has reissued "Aliens, Psychos and Wild Things, Vol. 1" and we're working on the others.

Check out the "Captive Audio" series at WVTF. You can even listen to the segment. And then -- if you're so inclined -- toodle on over to DCDRecords.com and buy a CD or two. We'll all be glad you did.

- Ralph

Podcast Episode #039 Posted

We just posted the 39th episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast. This time around, we look at the music for piano 4-hands. Both Laurel Records and the University of Wisconsin - Madison School of Music have some interesting releases using this somewhat unusual combination.

U of W's entry is a four-CD set tracing the career of Howard and Francis Karp. From this release we play a selection by Franz Schubert and another by Antonin Dvorak.

Laurel's release is a collection of 20th century music for piano 4-hands. Margret Elson and Elizabeth Swarthout play works by several American composers. On the podcast we play selections from Wallingford Riegger and Vincentg Persichetti.

It was a fun show to put together -- I hope you enjoy it!

- Ralph

New Podcast Episode Posted

I've just posted episode #38 of the DCD Classical Cast. The program features three different concertos. Since the nature of the podcast is to showcase recordings for sale at DCDRecords.com rather than offer complete musical programs (would that it were different), we tend to feature excerpts on the podcast.

In most cases I try to match the excerpted movement to a corresponding place in the podcast. In this program, for example, the opening piece is the first movement of Mozart's first piano concerto. The middle of the three selections is the second movement of Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto, where it fills a similar role in the composition. And the final work is the finale to Bloch's Violin Concerto.

Does this kind of programming make the show flow better? I think so, but I'm alwasy open for suggestions. What do you think?

- Ralph

A Clutch of Concerti

Over the weekend I finished the voicetracking for the next episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast. The music for the podcast all comes from concerto recordings.

The plural form of the word "concerto" is "concerti," but what do you call a group of them? I'm not sure there's really a proper word for a collection of concerti. I went with "clutch," primarily for the alliteration.

We should have the completed episode posted later this week.

- Ralph

Aliens Psychos and Wild Things, Volume Fore

We recently added another title to our line of rock titles, thanks to Arcania International.

Arcania International's made Virginia the focus of their compilations. The first three volumes of "Aliens, Psychos and Wild Things" featured music from the Old Dominion, ca. 1965 - 1969.

For the fourth volume, Arcania expanded their scope. "Aliens, Psychos and Wild Things - Volume Fore" covers pych and garage bands from Virginia and its surrounding states. The resulting compilation contains some real gems. And just like the other volumes in the series, the songs in "Fore" are appearing in a collection for the first time.

Here's a small slab of psychedelic goodness from "Aliens, Psychos and Wild Things, Volume Fore."

Black Narcosis: The Land of Stone
Spontaneous Combustion: The Looking Glass of Time

Far out!

- Ralph

Psych of the South

Although classical releases make up the bulk of the DCD Records site, we carry (and enjoy listening to) other genres of music.

A welcome addition is "Lost Souls," a new recording from Psych of the South, a small group of passionate record collectors and musicians who've gathered together a truly unique collection. Based in Arkansas, Pysch of the South (POTS) assembled a wonderful selection of garage and psychedelic bands from their own part of the state.

These teen-age bands flourished in the mid to late 1960's. Their enthusiasm often overcame lack of technique, creating a body of records that are authentically raw and exciting. Many of these groups played high school dances and other gigs in order to make a 45 rpm single -- if they were really successful, they sometime earned enough to pay for a session to cut the B side as well.

Most of these groups lasted less than a year, and their recordings were often discarded as juvenile ephemera. Thanks to enthusiasts like POTS, some of these groups now connect with a new generation of rockers.

Here's a couple of excerpts to whet your appetite.

The Lost Souls - Lost Love
Barefacts - Tell Me

And if you like the sound, remember we've also got four volumes of similar material gathered from the vaults of small studios throughout Virginia!

- Ralph

DCD Classical 'Cast Episode #037 Posted

The first podcast for 2008 was pretty easy to put together. I just took our two newest arrivals and put them together. "Orthodox Voices" featured fairly lengthy works, and "Imagen," Steve Lin's debut solo album had mostly short pieces, so the two discs blended very well (I think) together.

Troubadisc's SACD releases really have to be heard on an SACD-compatible system to fully appreciate the quality of their recordings. Nevertheless, while the sound quality of our podcasts are good (but not great), I believe you can still get an idea of how exciting these performances really are.

- Ralph

A new release from VGo Recordings

Steve Lin's new release on VGo Recordings isn't his first appearance on the label. He shared an earlier release with Joseph Williams II.

One of the prizes for the Boston GuitarFest was a recording with VGo -- but the judges deemed both Lin and Williams co-winners, and so they shared the prize (and their debut recording).

This time Lin's on his own, playing the music he loves. "Imagen" features works by noted flamenco composers Augustin Barrios, Antonio Lauro, and Benito Canónigos. If you enjoyed his joint release with Williams, then you'll really like "Imagen."

- Ralph

A New Direction for Troubadisc

Troubadisc's latest release represents a new direction for the German label. "Orthodox Singers: Contemporary Sacred Music from Estonia" is their first choral recording.

Since 1991 this German label has been producing quality chamber music recordings, so they're well-versed in the art of intimate recording sessions. Even though this is a stereo CD release, it sounds full of detail with a natural spaciousness that's well-suited to these works.

Fans of Arvo Part will want this one.

- Ralph