DCD 113 - 20th Century American 4-Hand Piano Music

20th Century 4-Hand Piano Music. The title for this podcast episode looks like a mouthful, but it accurate describes the music we play this time -- and it also is the name of the recording we feature.

Laurel Records released a unique CD from the piano duo of Margret Elson and Elizabeth Swarthout back in 1996. It does indeed include only music composed by Americans in the 20th Century, written for piano four-hands.

Although that seems to be a fairly narrow focus, the duo still had more than enough music to choose from. The disc opens with "Gazebo Dances" from then young and up-and-coming composer John Corigliano. It's a treat to hear this seldom-performed work.

The release surveys the field well. Included are duos by earlier composers such as Wallingford Rieger and Vincent Persichetti, as well as a 1996 composition by Claire Polin.

All in all, it's an exciting program of music that, because it's for piano duo, is not often heard by the public.

Remember, you don't need an iPod to listen to our podcast! Just click on the link below:

DCD Classical 'Cast Enhanced Podcast #113 - 20th Century American 4-Hand Piano Music

 - Ralph Graves

This program we play selections from "20th Century American 4-Hand Piano Music" by the Elon-Swarthout Duo. Including:

John Corigliano: Gazebo Dances, Mvts. 1 & 2

Vincent Pershicetti: Concerto for Piano 4 Hands (final mvt.)

Claire Polin: Phantasmagoria

Wallingford Rieger: Evocation

DCD 106 - William Bergsma: Complete Piano Music

American composer William Bergsma didn't write much for solo piano. In fact, only three such works are represented in his catalog. Pianist Jill Timmons studied with Bergsma, and in the early 1990's recorded his complete output.

The three works benefit from Timmons' insights and discussions with the composer. In this podcast episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast we sample selections from the three compositions found in this outstanding Laurel Records release.

The longest work, "Tangents" is a series of short piano pieces collected together to make a suite. Bergsma used these sketches as a way to work out themes for his opera The Wife of Martin Guerre.

The other two works might be considered "pure" piano pieces. The Three Fantasies are short, engaging works for piano. The Piano Variations is a more involved work that thoroughly explores an original theme. 

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

DCD Enhanced Classical 'Cast #106 - William Bergsma: Complete Piano Music

- Ralph Graves


This episode we play selections from William Bergsma: Complete Piano Music, including:

Tangents - Fanfare and Philosopies

Three Fantasies for Piano, Nos. 2 & 3

Piano Variations, Variations 5-9 and coda

DCD 105 - The Stanford String Quartet

The Stanford String Quartet was formed by members of the music faculty at Stanford University in 1984. They launched on an ambitious task of performing under-represented works, as well as commissioning new music for string quartet.

In 1991 they recorded three of the works they championed for Laurel Records. That recording is featured in this episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast.

William Bolcolm's Tenth Quartet was a commission by the ensemble, as was Ben Johnston's String Quartet No. 9 -- both of which are featured on the album. Although the third composition, Mark Neikrug's String Quartet "Stars' the Mirror," wasn't commissioned by the Stanford Quartet, it did receive its world recording premier on this CD.

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 #105 - The Stanford String Quartet

- Ralph Graves


This episode we play selections from The Stanford String Quartet release, including:

William Bolcolm: Tenth Quartet (excerpt)

Ben Johnston: String Quartet No. 9, mvts. 2 & 3

Mark Neikrug: String Quartet "Stars' the Mirror" (final section)

DCD 101 - In a Landscape

Daniel Berg is a talented marimbist based in Sweden. In this episode of the DCD Enhanced Classical 'Cast we feature selections from his debut album, "In a Landscape."

The CD collects some of Berg's favorite works for solo marimba together, and provides a fascinating snapshot of the breadth of compositional styles that make up the repertoire. The composers hail from the Americas, Europe, and Japan, where a good number of prominent solo marimba players come from.

If you think of the marimba as only something heard in the background of South American dance music, then this is a CD well worth checking out. Daniel Berg's performances show that the marimba is as expressive as any orchestral instrument.

Remember, you don't need an iPod to enjoy an enhanced podcast -- just the iTunes program. Click on the link below to download to your computer.

DCD Enhanced Classical 'Cast #101 - In a Landscape

- Ralph Graves


This episode we play:

Tokuhide Nimi: For Marimba I
Daniel Berg, marimba
from "In a Landscape"
Musica Rediviva

Miklos Maros: Marimbacapriccio
Daniel Berg, marimba
from "In a Landscape"
Musica Rediviva

Minoru Miki: Marimba Spirituals, Mvt. 2
Daniel Berg, marimba
from "In a Landscape"
Musica Rediviva

DCD 100 - Henri Lazarof: Music for Strings

Hershel Burke, founder of Laurel Records, was a successful film composer. But he was also active in the Los Angeles classical music scene. That was where he met UCLA-based composer Henri Lazarof.

Burke was impressed with Lazarof's well-crafted music, and decided it needed a wider audience. The result were several Laurel Record albums exclusively devoted to Lazarof's compositions -- many of them world premier recordings.

This edition of the DCD Classical 'Cast we feature works from one of those releases -- Henri Lazarof: Music for Strings. The album has four pieces for various chamber groups that Lazarof composed between 1980 to 1987. The CD was released originally in 1989.

Lazarof's compositional style is an interested and original blend of traditional forms and forward-thinking harmonies. We'll present more of his music on future podcasts -- it's well worth hearing!

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

DCD Enhanced Classical 'Cast #100 - Henri Lazarof: Music for Strings

- Ralph Graves

This episode we play:

Lazarof: Serenade for String Sextet, Mvt. 1
The Chamber Music/LA Festival
A Laurel Records release

Lazarof: String Quartet No. 1, Mvts. 2 & 3
The Chamber Music/LA Festival
A Laurel Records release

Lazarof: Octet for Strings, Mvt. 3
The Chamber Music/LA Festival
A Laurel Records release

DCD 096 - Luciano Simoni, Italian Symphonist

The story of Luciano Simoni is a fascinating one. This gifted Italian studied composition with one of Respighi's pupils while pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. In time, Simoni was recognized as one of the leading researchers in the field of electrical insulation in the world, and held a prestigious post at the University of Bologna.

Yet all the while he continued to compose -- and not just little piano pieces, either. Most of Simoni's works are for large-scale forces such as orchestras and massed choirs. Of course Simoni isn't the first composer to hold down a "day job." Borodin was a professional chemist while Charles Ives had a successful career in insurance.

Italy's Inedita label has released several discs of Simoni's music, and this episode we take a closer look at one of them. We share selections from Simoni's Fourth Symphony and his powerful Concerto for Violin. And if you're wondering what classical music in the 21st Century sounds like, well, download this podcast. The symphony and the concerto both date from 2005, and are fresh and innovative with sweeping melodic gestures that carry the listener along.

DCD Enhanced Classical 'Cast #096 - Luciano Simoni, Italian Symphonist

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

 - Ralph

This program we play:

Luciano Simoni: Symphony No. 4, Op. 58, Mvt. 1
Targu-Mures Philharmonic Orchestra; Romeo Rimbu, conductor
Inedita

Luciano Simoni: Symphony No. 4, Op. 58, Mvt. 3
Targu-Mures Philharmonic Orchestra; Romeo Rimbu, conductor
Inedita

Luciano Simoni: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 57, Mvt. 3
Gabrile Croitoru, violin
Targu-Mures Philharmonic Orchestra; Romeo Rimbu, conductor
Inedita

DCD 095 - Centennial Celebration, Part 2

 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 by composers Ralph Shapey and Libby Larson from the second disc in the set.

DCD Enhanced Classical 'Cast #095 - Centennial Celebration, Part 2

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

 - Ralph

This program we play:

Ralph Shapey: String Quartet No. 9, Mvts. 1 & 2
from "Centennial Commissions"
UW-Madison School of Music release

Libby Larsen: Concert Dances, Mvts. 2-4
UW-Madison Wind Ensemble; James Smith, conductor
from "Centennial Commissions"
UW-Madison School of Music release

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

DCD 080 - Flute Moments

In episode #80 of the enhanced "DCD Classical 'Cast" we feature selections from "Flute Moments with Teresa Beaman."

Teresa Beaman is a reknowned performer and educator. She's toured extensively as a flute soloist, and has commissioned several works for her instrument. "Flute Moments" is a collection of works by 20th Century American composers.

In our podcast, we play excerpts from three of them: Lowell Liebermann, Robert Muczynski, and Edwin Burton. The latter composed his Sonatina for flutist Samuel Baron. Baron was one of Beaman's teachers, giving this work especial significance for Beaman.

- Ralph

This program we play:

Eldin Burdon - Sonatina for Flute and Piano, Mvts. II and III
Teresa Beaman, flute; Jane Davis Maldonado, piano
from: Flute Moments with Teresa Beaman,
Laurel Records release

Lowell Liebermann - Sonata for Flute and Piano, OP. 23 I. Lento con rubato
Teresa Beaman, flute; Andreas Werz, piano
Laurel Records release

Robert Muczynski - Moments for Flute and Piano, Op. 47, Mvts. II and III
Teresa Beaman, flute; Jane Davis Maldonado, piano,
Laurel Records release