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 #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 #044 posted

Con Brio's new release of Richard Arnell symphonies is so good (in my opinion), we decided to devote an entire episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast to it.

Arnell's music has fairly long movements, so it's nice to give it the space it needs. Hopefully you'll hear enough of both symphonies to get a good idea of how they sound -- and have a desire to hear the entire works.

- Ralph

New Release from Con Brio- Richard Arnell Symphonies

British composer Richard Arnell is a contemporary of Benjamin Britten, and absorbed many of the same influences. Arnell's not as well-know internationally as Britten, but Warren Cohen and the Musica Nova Orchestra hope to change that with their new CD.

Con Brio's latest release features Cohen and the Orchestra performing Arnell's fourth and fifth symphonies. These are well-crafted post-romantic works that continually reward the careful listener.

We'll definitely be including some excerpts on our next podcast.

- Ralph

Podcast episode #043 posted

This episode of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" we present an assortment of choral music. You'll hear selections from groups large and small. We play selections from the Seattle Pro Musica, Rutgers Collegium Musicium, and the Consort Chorale.

The podcast was easy to put together, but the title was a little tricky to come up with. What is the proper word for a group of choirs? I'm not sure it's the correct answer, but I went with "A Collection of Choirs."

- 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

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