DCD Classical 'Cast #65 posted

The latest episode of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" features two unique solo artists: Jerome Mouffe, and Les Timming. Mouffe's an up-and-coming young classical guitarist whose debut recording, "Capriccio" displays sublime virtuosity.

"Les Timming Solo - Compositions and Improvisations" is a recording of a legendary recital given at the University of Wisconsin. Timmig, on a variety of wind instruments, performs his own compositions for solo winds, as well as some truly inspired improvisations.

- 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 #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 #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

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

Steve Lin, guitar

Steve Lin, one of the winners of the Boston GuitarFest, releases his first solo CD, "Imagen." As you might expect from this young performer, it's a guitar recital full of energy and excitement.

Lin plays works by the composers who most inspired him: Benito Canonigos, Antonio Lauro, and the great Agustin Barrios Mangore.

Look for this VGo recording on our website!

- Ralph

Episode #34 posted

I just posted Episode #34 of the DCD Classical 'Cast. When we received the new CD by Grisha, I knew we had to do a feature on this remarkable artist. This podcast we play selections from Grisha's two recordings on the VGo label. It was a fun show to put together, and Grisha's performances kept the energy level high throughout the program.

And we've put together a special package of Grisha's two albums. Purchase them together, and you can save 20%. We want to help this young man continue to be successful!

- 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

Podcast #24 posted

I spent this past weekend recording and editing the DCD Classical 'Cast episode #24. With everything else going on, it can be difficult sticking to a twice monthly podcasting schedule! I feel this one snuck in just under the wire.

The program continues our survey Beethoven on Monument Records. We also feature a selection from the latest release of guitar music from VGo Recordings, and finish with a sampling from the Ineditia catalog.

- Ralph

Treasures from the Philippines

Back in 2002 VGo Recordings released "Philippine Treasures." Guitarist Angelo Favis played traditional and composed music from his native islands. The second volume is finally available, and we got it on the website post haste.

Volume 2 is a nice companion to the original release. Some of the works move from the traditional to the classical realm, and many of the composers are from the mid- rather than early-twentieth century.

While we've catagorised these two releases as "world music," they would not be out of place on the shelf of any collector of classical guitar recordings.

Here's a sampling of this remarkable collection.

Sampaguita

- Ralph

So what's involved with a small operation like DCD Records? Maximizing exposure, for one thing. We've just opened an Amazon.com store, and yours truly gets to enter all the data. Tonight I added our VGo Records listings. Of course our full catalog is available at DCDRecords.com, and our classical titles can be found at Arkivmusic.com. And we'll explore other options as well. Is there an online location you regularly frequent that we could place product with? Let me know!

- Ralph Graves