"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

New podcast epsides in production

Finishing up scripts for the next 2 episodes of the DCD Classical 'Cast. Recording voice tracks for both tonight! We'll have a program featuring the Seattle Pro Musica's latest release "American Masterpieces," and another that will have (at least in part) selection from Vartan Manoogian's CD Henk Badings: Trio-Cosmos.

- Ralph

DCD Classical 'Cast #64 posted

We're still trying to catch up on our release schedule for the "DCD Classical 'Cast." Server issues delayed them for a while, and now we have some compatibility problems that should soon be under control.

Episode #64 features music from a two CD collection from the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Music. Noted pianist and composer Gunnar Johansen served as artist-in-residence at the university for decades, presenting a string of stunning piano recital performances over the years. This set features the best of those recitals, from 1958 through 1972.

You'll hear Johansen perform some of his strongest repertoire, as well as an excerpt from one of his own compositions.

- 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).

Podcast episode #59 posted

Part two of our holiday music special is now available. As always, I had a lot of fun putting these December shows together, and I hope they bring you some enjoyment.

We feature selections from two recordings. "A Longwood Gardens Christmas" starts off episode #59 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast." Organist Michael Stairs performs two familiar selections, "O Christmas Tree," and an arrangement of "In dulci jubilo."

Janis Lusens' "Child of the Stars" is a choral cantata that borrows heavily from Lusens' Latvian musical heritage, as well as some traditional holiday melodies.

And remember -- you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast! You can play the show through your computer, or transfer the MP3 file to any MP3 player or smart phone.

From the entire staff at DCD Records, we'd like to wish you a wonderful holiday season, and a safe and prosperous New Year.

- Ralph

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

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 Epsisode 043 published

"A Collection of Choirs" is the latest episode of the "DCD Classical Cast." This time we look at choral music from some of the labels we carry. You'll hear two selections from the Seattle Pro Music, as well as the Rudgers Collegium Musicum and the Consort Chorale.

Compositions range from the renaissance to modern-day England and America.

- Ralph

A Clutch of Concerti

Over the weekend I finished the voicetracking for the next episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast. The music for the podcast all comes from concerto recordings.

The plural form of the word "concerto" is "concerti," but what do you call a group of them? I'm not sure there's really a proper word for a collection of concerti. I went with "clutch," primarily for the alliteration.

We should have the completed episode posted later this week.

- 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

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

Part 1 of the DCD Holiday Special Podcast Posted

Today we finished recording both parts of the DCD Holiday Special podcast. Part 1 has been posted to the web, and we should have Part 2 ready within the next few days.

This program's all about singing. We play two seasonal selections from the Seattle Pro Musica, as well as a Charpentier work performed by the Convivium Vocale.

Look for Part 2, and if you still want more, remember that last year's holiday episodes (DCD 015 and 016 respectively) are also available to download.

Happy Holidays!

- 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

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

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

20,000 Downloads

An amazing thing happened today -- the DCD Classical 'Cast passed the 20,000 download mark. Yes, I know. There are far more popular podcasts than our modest effort who boast 20,000 downloads a month -- or sometimes even a day!

Nevertheless, for a program dedicated to classical music, and one further limited to independent labels that we carry, I think this is an important milestone to achieve.

The artists and labels that give us permission to use their material are grateful for your attention -- and we certainly are, too. While most of our listeners are here in the States, we have goodly number of international listeners. Spain, Singapore, the Netherlands, Thailand, the Czech Republic, Australia -- it's an impressive list.

We'll do our best to continue delivering the best podcast we can. Thank you for listening.

Let's see how long it takes us to double that number....

- Ralph

August Heat

We're pulling together tracks for the next installment of the DCD Records Podcast. It's pretty hot in Central Virginia right now -- in fact, local authorities are considering water restrictions (we've still not fully recovered from the draught five years ago).

With a heat index of 105 degrees, I'm interested in keeping everything light -- clothing, food, drink, and music. Look for a program of chamber music for DCD Classical 'Cast #29. I should have the selections finalized later today, and we should be ready to product the episode later this week.

- 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

Podcast Episode #27 posted

DCD Classical 'Cast #027 has just been posted to the web. The episode, titled "Biggs, Beethoven and the Barber" features a selection from one of our newest labels -- Consort Press. California-based composer and conductor John Biggs leads a performance of his "Mass for Our Time."

We also continue our survey of Monument Records, this time presenting a world premier recording of a Beethoven string quartert.

And it all starts with probably the most unusual recording heard yet on the DCD Classical 'Cast -- an occarina ensemble performing Rossini. It's not as strange as it might sound, though. The Gruppo Ocarinistico Budriese as an organization has been around since the late 19th century, and they're performing arrangements made for the ensemble in 1901.

- Ralph