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

Podcast episode 50 published

Today we uploaded episode #50 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast." For this landmark edition, we went back to one of the themes of our early podcasts -- artist-run labels. Since we started the podcast back in 2006, the music industry has changed dramatically.

At one time an artist-run label would be considered little more than a vanity label. These days, its a standard business model. The artist gets to record what they want, connect directly with their audience over the Internet, and keep most of what their recordings earn (as opposed to the major label system which gives only a fraction of the income to the artist).

This program we feature three outstanding performers. Mark Gardner and Robert de Gaetano are both composers and piano virtuosos, and we feature them performing their own compositions. Violinist Gary Levinson is heard playing Martinu's "Three Madrigals."

Which also makes this a podcast of 20th century music.

Look for changes over the next 50 podcasts -- and don't forget to let us know what you want. You can e-mail us at info@dcdrecords.com, or simply leave a comment in the comment field of this blog.

- Ralph

Podcast Episode #49 posted

Episode No. 49 of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" has just been posted. In this program we look at three different American composers with varying degrees of fame. Samuel Barber has it, Arnold Rosner is gaining it, and Ernst Bacon deserves it.

You'll hear the first movement of Barber's String Quartet Op. 11 (the slow movement's the famous one). We also play an outstanding orchestral work by Rosner, and an intimate composition for violin and piano by Bacon.

- Ralph

Podcast Episode #48 posted

I'm really happy with this edition of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" podcast. It features the music of Virginia-based composer Walter Ross, and most if it comes from his new recording on DCD Records. "Walter Ross, Brass Trios."

I've always enjoyed Ross' music (I use his works for the podcast's opening and closing themes), and this album of brass trios is a real treat. Ross started out as a french horn player, so he knows how to write for brass instruments -- and the music shows it.

I'm always excited for our labels when they send us a new release (or two or three). But to have one of our own to offer up. Well, that's something else again.

Enjoy!

- Ralph

Podcast Episode #47 posted

Just posted part two of our Robert Muczynski overview. This particular episode of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" we focus on music from the latter part of Muczunski's career. In addition to his solo piano music, we also play some selections from his other chamber music for flute and for clarinet.

All of the selections come from volume 2 of Muczynski's recital disc on Laural Records.

- Ralph

New John Cage Release

OgreOgress has released a new collection of compositions by John Cage. This is a DVD-Audio release, and features three world premier recordings. "Twenty-Eight," a chamber work composed in 1991 could, according the composer, either be performed separately, or with one of two companion pieces, "Twenty-Six" and "Twenty-Eight."

This release presents all three versions of this work, along with another chamber work, "Three."

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