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

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

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

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