DCD 109 - Arthur Bliss String Quartets

British composer Arthur Bliss was extremely self-critical. Although he composed four string quartets, only three were ever performed, and he allowed only two to be published. His first two quartets were written when he was a young man, and these were the works he later withdrew. It wasn't until after his fiftieth birthday that he wrote a chamber work that he thought worthy of public performance. This would be designated his String Quartet No. 1.

In 1950, Bliss completed his second and last string quartet, a work he regarded as one of his best chamber music compositions.

This program we play selections from an outstanding recording by the German ensemble the Fanny Mendelssohn Quartett. The CD includes both of Arthur Bliss' approved string quartets, and wonderful works they are!

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DCD Classical 'Cast #109 - Arthur Bliss String Quartet

 - Ralph Graves

This program we play excerpts from the Troubadisc release "Arthur Bliss: String Quartets"

Arthur Bliss: String Quartet No 1, Mvts. 1 & 2

The Fanny Mendelssohn Quartett

Arthur Bliss: String Quartet No. 2, Mvts. 3 & 4

The Fanny Mendelssohn Quartett

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 102 - Nadia Boulanger: Lieder and Chamber Music

Nadia Boulanger was best known as a teacher of composers. The number of pupils who studied with her between 1907 and 1979 is staggering -- especially when you consider how many of them would go on to become internationally known composers and performers. The list includes Aaron Copland, Lennox Berkeley, Roy Harris, and Philip Glass to name but a few.

But first and foremost, Boulanger was a talented composer. This episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast we feature selections from a Troubadisc CD that explores Boulanger's early work. The disc, Nadia Boulanger: Lieder und Kammermusik,  includes a number of art songs,  a solo piano piece, and a chamber composition that give the listener a good idea of Boulanger's style.

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 #102 - Nadia Boulanger: Lieder und Kammermusik

- Ralph Graves

This episode we play selections from Nadia Boulanger: Lieder und Kammermusik, a Troubadisc release, including:

Nadia Boulanger: Five Lieder, Nos. 1-3
Melinda Paulson, mezzo soprano; Angele Gassenhuber, piano

Nadia Boulanger: Vers la Vie nouvelle for piano
Angela Gassenhuber, piano

Nadia Boulanger: Doute
Melinda Paulson, mezzo soprano; Angela Gassenhuber, piano

Nadia Boulanger: J'ai frappe
Melinda Paulson, mezzo soprano; Angela Gassenhuber, piano

Nadia Boulanger: Three Pieces for Cello and Piano
Friedemann Kuspa, cello; Angela Gasenhuber, piano

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 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 089 - Lazarof on Laurel

This program we feature works for a Laurel Records release: Chamber Music by Henri Lazarof.

Henri Lazarof has had a remarkable career, always at the forefront of modern expression in the arts. For the past four decades he's been a respected composer and teacher at UCLA. This collection of chamber music is one of four CDs Laurel has released of Lazarof's music.

Lazarof has a very distinctive musical voice that bridges tradition and the avant garde. This CD presents four works for various combinations of instruments, mostly written in the 1980's.

In this podcast we play excerpted movements from these works.

DCD Classical 'Cast #089: Lazarof on Laurel

- Ralph

This program we play:


Lazarof: Momenti for solo cello, mvts. 1-3
Jeffery Solow, cello
Laurel Records

Lazarof: Piano Trio, mvts. 3-4
Jeffery Solo, cello; Yoko Matsudo, violin; Jerome Lowenthal, piano
Laurel Records

Lazarof: Trio for Wind Instruements, mvts. 3-4
Sheridan Stokes, flute; John Winter, oboe; Gary Gray, clarinet
Laurel Records

DCD 088 - Mendelssohn Pro Arte

This program we feature selections from Mendelssohn: String Quartets, a release from the Pro Arte Quartet. This CD, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music presents three works for string quartets that come from different stages of Mendelssohn's career.

His String Quartet in A minor, Op. 13 was composed when Mendelssohn was just 18. The String Quartet in D major, Op. 44, No. 1 completed when he was in his late twenties. And the final work on the album, the Fugue in E-flat major, Op. 81, No. 4 was written just before Mendelssohn's death in 1847.

In this podcast we play excerpted movements from this exceptional album.

DCD Classical 'Cast Enhanced Podcast #088: Mendelssohn Pro Arte

- Ralph

This program we play:


Mendelssohn: String Quartet in D major, Op. 44, No. 1, Mvt. 1
Pro Arte Quartet
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music

Mendelssohn: String Quartet in A minor, Op. 13, Mvt. 2
Pro Arte Quartet
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music

Mendelssohn: Fugue in E-flat major, Op. 81, No. 4
Pro Arte Quartet
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music

DCD 082 - Christmas Vespers

Episode #82 of the DCD Classical 'Cast podcast features selections from a new recording by the Motor City Brass Quintet. Christmas Vespers is a wonderful collection of holiday music played by some of the finest brass musicians in Detroit. The album gets it title from a work by American composer John Harbison.

"Christmas Vespers" follows the outline of a traditional vespers service, and Harbison weaves traditional carols into his musical tapestry. A fascinating work, and a thrilling recording for anyone who loves brass ensembles!

- Ralph

This episode we play:

The First Noel
Motor City Brass Quintet
from "Christmas Vespers"
BrassJar Music

Carol of the Bells
Motor City Brass Quintet
from "Christmas Vespers"
BrassJar Music

Harbison: Christmas Vespers - Two Choral Preludes for Advent
Motor City Brass Quintet
from "Christmas Vespers"
BrassJar Music

Anderson: Sleigh Ride
Motor City Brass Quintet
from "Christmas Vespers"
BrassJar Music

Harbison: Christmas Vespers - Little Fantasy on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Motor City Brass Quintet
from "Christmas Vespers"
BrassJar Music