Sound files completed for Muczynski CDs

Over the weekend we've added sound files to our webpage for "Robert Muczynski, Composer, Pianist in Recital, Vol. II." This CD documents the latter part of Muczynski's career from 1970 through 1994, and features several works that have become piano repertoire standards.
And now you can get an idea of what they sound like before you buy!

- Ralph

Sound files added for Muczynski release

Work on our new website continues! Today we added sound files to the Laurel Records release, "Robert Muczynski, Composer-Pianist in Recital, Volume 1." This is one of our most popular CDs, so we're glad to give the product page a little extra love.

- Ralph

DCD Classical Cast episode 60 posted

DCD Classical 'Cast episode #60 posted. The podcast showcases the new Laurel Record release, Ernest Bloch - Music for Viola. Remember, you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast! You can just listen on your computer (PC or Mac -- or even Linux).

New Release: Ernest Bloch - Music for Viola

The latest release from Laurel Records continues their line of Ernest Bloch recordings. "Music for Viola" features four different settings for the viola. In addition to the "Suite Hebraique" for viola and orchestra (one of Bloch's most famous compositions), the CD also includes his suite for viola and string quartet, viola and piano, and even for solo viola.

Grammy-nominated violist Karen Elaine Bakunin ably performs these works. According to the Los Angeles Times, Bakunin is "the soloist to bring the viola out of obscurity." And this disc amply demonstrates why.

Available now from DCD Records.

- 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 #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 #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

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 #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

Episode #32 of the DCD Classical Cast Posted

Episode #31 of the DCD Classical 'Cast was all about the new releases from Con Brio. This time, it's all about Laurel Records. Three new titles, all featuring chamber works by Ernest Bloch came in, and so -- just like the last episode -- the programming seemed obvious.

This time I borrowed a page from Top 40 radio -- less talk, more music. In order to really do justice to Bloch's compositions, I decided to go with two large, substantial movements rather than a bunch of shorter excerpts to fit in all three recordings.

So this time round, you'll hear a movement from Bloch's first string quartet, as well as a one from his first piano quintet.

We'll save the disc of his violoncello music for the next podcast -- along with the Con Brio recording and the John Biggs work that got bumped to make room for Bloch's chamber works.

- Ralph

A Special Offer From DCD

Now that Laurel Records has completed their cycle of Ernest Bloch string quartets (and piano quintets), I thought it only fitting to offer all four volumes at a special price.

Each disc can be purchased separately, of course, but if you don't have any of these recordings its a great way to get them all at once.

I'll be featuring some samples from this collection in the next podcast.

- Ralph

And podcast #28 is out now, too.

I've been doing a pretty good job of maintaining our schedule for the DCD Classical 'Cast, and getting two podcasts posted each month. A business trip and some last-minute projects have put me seriously behind, though.

Yesterday I pulled together the material, wrote the script, cut the vocal tracks, mastered and posted Episode #28, collapsing a two-week production cycle down to 24 hours.

It's a simple program -- just a selection of Mozart for a summer's evening, courtesy of Laurel Records, Gary Levinson, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music.

And it features something my old bosses at WJMA would appreciate -- less talk, and more music.

I hope you enjoy it!

- Ralph