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

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 #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

New Podcast Episode Posted

With the plethora of new releases arriving from Con Brio, Episode #31 of the DCD Classical Cast practically programmed itself. And I found that there was even some music left over. So this edition will have selections from most of Con Brio's new releases. We'll have to catch the rest next time.

It's a fairly eclectic mix of contemporary music. We start out with a work for cello and piano, move to a rhapsody for tuba and band, and finish with a little Third Stream jazz.

I enjoyed putting the program together -- I hope you enjoy listening to it.

- 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

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

An unusual debut

Normally, a young classical tenor's first album will be a recital of their core repertoire. After a few albums of opera arias, the artist may eventually release a "crossover" disc of popular music.
New England-based Stanley Wilson cuts to the chase. His first release from Con Brio is a collection of Cole Porter songs.

It's a smart move. His clear tenor shines on these selections, and he stands a chance of connecting with a much larger audience right out of the box. In the works is a follow-up disc of lieder, which we're also looking forward to.

Check out this sample from this unusual debut album.

All of You

- Ralph

Full Steam Ahead!

Today we finished posting the railroad sounds series from Con Brio. "Steam!" was recorded at the Georgetown Loop and the Colorado Railroad Museum. All narrow-gauge steam action!

Ed Hollcraft's recordings are masterfully done, and make a fine addition to most any sound effects or railroadiana collection.

We're proud to carry them.

- Ralph

The Sounds of General Purpose

Today I finished the pages for another release in Con Brio's railroad recording series. "Trains at Work" features sounds of GP-9's at work.

The "GP" designation stood for "General Purpose," as these locomotives were equally adept at yard work as they were at hauling freight across the country. Although GP-9's and SW 1500's are featured in the recording, the cover photo shows a Burlington Northern SD40. Perhaps it's just passing through?

- Ralph

Thunder on the Steel

Today I posted another of Hollcraft Studios well-regarded railroad recordings. "Thunder on the Steel" consists of recordings from two different locations. The first is the Martinez Station and Ozol yard traffic. Martinez is a busy station on the Californian Amtrak route, with over 40 trains passing through daily.

The second segment features steam power on the Georgetown Loop Railroad outside Denver, CO. Thrilling recordings! And we're not done yet.

- Ralph

Trains keep on a-rolling

Another of Hollencroft's remarkable sound recordings got posted to the site today. "Diesel Power" may not have the best cover, but the quality of the recording is first-rate. And there's more to come.

You can learn more about this release on our website.

- Ralph

Pardon me boys....

I got the first of our five new railroad titles posted today. There are also sound files for each track -- just to give you a flavor.

The first release "Heavy Hauling" features yard work with a GP-9 and SW-1500 from 1973.

Here's something to look forward to: once I get all the titles posted, we'll create a special page where you can order the entire set for a special low price.

- Ralph

New releases from Con Brio

We just got in some new releases from Con Brio -- and something a little unusual. In addition to their line of classical recordings, Con Brio also has five recordings of railroad sounds. A specialized field to be sure, but within in it these are highly respected recordings.

- Ralph