DCD 104 - Rhapsody: The Music of George Gershwin

This episode we showcase selections from the debut recording by the Spectrum Brass Quintet. This group has an unusual mission: to perform and record music with other musicians not normally associated with brass quintets.

Their first CD release, Rhapsody, does just that. The quintet performs the music of George Gershwin with drummer Alex Trahjano, pianist Aviram Reichart, and soprano Elizabeth Stoner.

It's a great album of attractive music for two reasons. The arrangements are first-rate, and the Spectrum Brass Quintet is made up of five outstanding musicians. Their virtuosity shines on this recording, but never gets in the way of the music.

Remember, you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast. Just click on the link below to download to your computer.

DCD Classical 'Cast #104 - Rhapsody: The Music of George Gershwin

- Ralph Graves

This episode we play selections from:

Rhapsody: The Music of George Gershwin
Spectrum Brass Quintet
Brass Jar Music

including:

Strike Up the Band

Bess, You Is My Woman Now
It Ain't Necessarily So
Oh, Lawd, I'm on My Way

The Man I Love
'S Wonderful

I Got Rhythm

DCD 094 - Centennial Celebration, Part 1

 In 1995 the University of Wisconsin at Madison School of Music celebrated its 100th anniversary. To commemorate the event, the school commissioned six composers with ties to Wisconsin to write works for the various student and faculty ensembles. The composers were then invited to the school to serve as artists in residence, and to be present for the premier of their works. This year-long celebration was recorded, and resulting two-CD set, Centennial Commissions,  is a stunning collection of both the creativity of these six composers and the high level of musicianship of the commissioning ensembles.

In order to give this music its due, we're taking two podcast episodes to explore this release. In this part, we sample selections from the first disc in the set.

DCD Enhanced Classical 'Cast #094 - Centennial Celebration, Part 1

Remember, you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast -- just click on the link above and enjoy!

 - Ralph

This program we play:

Daron Hagen: Concerto for Brass Quintet, mvts. 1 & 2
The Wisconsin Brass Quintet
from "Centennial Commissions"
UW-Madison School of Music release

David Ott: Gathering of Waters, mvts, 3 & 4
The Windgra Woodwind Quintet
from "Centennial Commissions"
UW-Madison School of Music release



Joan Tower: Rapids
Ursula Oppens, piano; UW-Madison Symphony Orchestra; David E. Becker, conductor
from "Centennial Commissions"
UW-Madison School of Music release