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 #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

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 #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

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