"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

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

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 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

Part 2 of the DCD Holiday Special Podcast Posted

Today we posted Part 2 of our holiday special -- and that wraps up our podcasting for the year. We'll return in January with some fresh new music.

I can't give away all the details as yet, but Troubadisc will be sending us their latest SACD project, and it represents a major step forward in the development of the label.

We also should have several new releases coming in from Sweden, courtesy of Musica Rediviva. And with any luck, we'll see the rerelease of an old favorite.

What's in store for DCD Records in 2008? We'll find out together!

- Ralph

New Podcast Episode Posted

Tonight I finished and posted Episode #30 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast." The program features selections from Troubadisc's latest SACD release, "Violin Solo, Volume 3." In addition to this new solo recording by Renate Eggebrecht, I also included some of her ensemble work.

You'll hear her performing with her husband, cellist Friedemann Kupsa in a Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel piano trio. And I end the podcast with this husband and wife duo as half of the Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet performing Arthur Bliss' second string quartet.

And I've created a special offer. While all three discs in the "Violin Solo" series are available for sale separately, I've put them together in a set at a special 20% discount.

- Ralph

New Release from Troubadisc

We just received the latest SACD release from Troubadisc. It's "Violin Solo, Volume 3," performed by Renate Eggebrecht. Like the previous two volumes, Eggebrecht builds a program around a theme, and then expands on it.

This release presents the solo violin music of Paul Hindemith. Eggebrecht plays three of his sonatas, as well as two previously unrecorded works. She then includes works by two more contemporary composers: Romanian Anatol Vieru, and Russian minimalist Vladimir Martynov.

As with Volume 2 (also an SACD release), the recording is impeccable -- as is the playing. We're happy to add this exciting release to our catalog.

- Ralph

Milhaud Podcast Posted

We've put the finishing touches on our Milhaud special podcast, and posted it to the site. Troubadisc's 3-CD set presents an interested profile of this French composer. Although we could have given each of the three discs their own podcast episode, I thought that holding the set to a single episode let the listener get an overview of the series.

Hope you enjoy it!

- Ralph

Milhaud Special

We're putting the finishing touches on our next podcast. It's centered around a three-CD set released by Troubadisc featuring the early string quartets and chamber music of Darius Milhaud. We should have it ready and posted sometime over the weekend.

- Ralph

New Release from Troubadisc

The new release from Troubadisc is now available on the DCD Records site. It's a recital of Schumann's piano music, more than ably performed by Wolfram Lorenzen. The release is an SACD, giving you even more life-like audio content. And it also can be played on a regular CD player.

As promised, I've posted an audio preview for you. Just click on the link below.

Schumann: Traumes Wirren, from "Fantiasiestucke, Op. 12"

Next on the docket is recording our next holiday music special podcast. I'm hoping to have that completed and posted by the weekend.

- Ralph Graves