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 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 097 - Max Reger: Piano Pieces

This edition of the DCD Classical 'Cast podcast we feature selections from an exciting new CD from Troubadisc. For some time now, this German-based label has been building up an impressive catalog of chamber and solo music by Max Reger.

The latest addition to the series, Max Reger: Piano Pieces showcases the artistry of pianist Wolfram Lorenzen. Lorenzen has appeared on several other of Troubadisc's Reger recordings, and his understanding and affinity for the music is clear and unmistakable.

The release includes two Sonatinas from Reger's Op. 89 set of four, and an early work, the Five Humoresques, Op. 20. The big piece, though, and the one most characteristic of Reger's mature style, is the Variations and Fuga on a Theme by Johann Sebastian Bach, Op. 89. It combines Reger's love for Bach's music with his own inventive and contrapuntal talents in one large work.

DCD Enhanced Classical 'Cast #097 - Max Reger: Piano Pieces

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:

Max Reger: Sonatina Op. 89, No. 1 mvt. 1
Wolfram Lorenzen, piano
Troubadisc

Max Reger: Five Humoresques, Op. 20, Nos. 2-4
Wolfram Lorenzen, piano
Troubadisc

Max Reger: Sonatina, Op. 89, No. 3, mvts. 2-3
Wolfram Lorenzen, piano
Troubadisc

Max Reger: Variations and Fuga on a Theme by Johann Sebastian Bach, Op. 89, variations XII-XIV and Fuga
Wolfram Lorenzen, piano
Troubadisc

DCD 087 - Wolfram Lorenzen, Piano Concertos

Wolfram Lorenzen is a talented pianist, recording on the Troubadisc label. This latest release, Wolfram Lorenzen, Piano Concertos,  features three of his concerto recordings, done throughout his career.

This episode of the "DCD Classical 'Cast" we give you a sampling of Lorenzen's artistry. You'll hear Lorenzen both in the studio in a spirited rendition of the Mendelssohn Capriccio Brilliant for piano and orchestra. Then we play an excerpt from his thrilling live performance of the Max Reger Piano Concerto in F minor.


DCD Classical 'Cast Enhanced Podcast #087: Wolfram Lorenzen, Piano Concertos

And remember -- you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast. Just a computer, like the one you're using no.

 - Ralph

This program we play:

Felix Mendelssohn: Capriccio brilliant for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 22
Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra; Ernest Bour, conductor
Wolfram Lorenzen, piano
Troubadisc


Max Reger: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in F minor, Op. 114
Mvt. 3, Allegro con spirito
St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra; Rienhard Petersen, conductor
Wolfram Lorenzen, piano
Troubadisc

DCD 086 - Robert and Clara Schumann

Noted pianist Wolfram Lorenzen presents the music of husband and wife team Robert and Clara Schumann in a new release from Troubadisc. In this podcast we sample selections from each of the three works featured on the recording.

The CD opens with Robert Schumann's "Abegg Variations," his first published work -- and one not dedicated to Clara Wieck. Also included, though, is Schumann's "Novelettes" which was dedicated to his then-fiance, Clara Wieck.

Lorenzen also performs Clara Wieck Schumann's "Sonata in G minor," a work composed for her husband Robert as a wedding present. Lorenzen has a natural affinity for the romantic era repertoire, as is evident by his insightful performance of these compositions.

DCD Classical Cast Enhanced Podcast #086: Robert and Clara Schumann

And remember - you don't need an iPod to enjoy a podcast -- just a computer.

 - Ralph

This program we play:


Robert Schumann: Abegg Variations, Op. 1 - Theme and Variations 1-3
Wolfram Lorenzen, piano
Troubadisc

Clara Schumann: Piano Sonata in G minor - Mvt. 1
Wolfram Lorenzen, piano
Troubadisc

Robert Schumann: Novelettes, Op. 21 - Final mvt.
Wolfram Lorenzen, piano
Troubadisc

DCD 031 - A Cornucopia of Con Brio

About the time I was starting to work on program #31, a batch of new releases arrived from the Con Brio label. With more than enough material to fill an edition of the DCD Classical 'Cast, deciding to turn the program into a Con Brio showcase seemed only natural.

We begin with two selections from Noëlle Compinsky Tinturin's release "American Portraits: Piano Music by American Composers." Also on the program is a work written for the phenomenal tuba virtuoso Barton Cummings, with Cummings (who commissioned the work) performing.

And we end with something from "American Scenes, Volume 1" by Patrick Bechman. This accomplished pianist/composer created and recorded a series of musical impressions of several American cities. This program we play a selection from volume 1, and next time we'll have something from volume 2.

- Ralph


This program we play:

Turpin: St. Louis Rag
Noëlle Compinsky Tinturin, piano
Con Brio

Delmonte: Night on the Pampa
Noëlle Compinsky Tinturin, piano
Celine Grietzen, cello

Grundman: Tuba Rhapsody for Tuba and Band
Barton Cummings, tuba
Con Brio

Bechman: Memphis Toccata
Patrick Bechman, piano
Con Brio

DCD 030 - Violin Solo, and Violin in Ensemble

In this episode of the "DCD Classical 'Cast," we celebrate the release of the "Violin Solo" series from Troubadisc Recordings. The third volume of this outstanding series concentrates on the solo violin music of Paul Hindemith, and features two of his previously unrecorded works for the violin. Eggebrecht also includes two world premiere recordings by two modern composers -- Anatol Vieru and Vladimir Martynov.

For this podcast we play two selections from the SACD "Violin Solo, Volume 3." We also include some of Eggebrecht's ensemble work (in a piano trio and as part of the Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet) to round out the program.

- Ralph

This program we play:
Paul Hindemith: Sonata for Solo Violin, Op. 11 No. 6 in G minor (mvt. 1)
Renate Eggebrecht, violin
Troubadisc

Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel: The Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 11 (mvts. 2 & 3)
Renate Eggebrecht, violin; Friedemann Kuspa, cello; Stefan Mickisch, piano
Troubadisc

Anatol Vieru: Capriccio for solo violin
Renate Eggebrecht, violin
Troubadisc

Arthur Bliss: String Quartet No. 2 in F minor (mvt. 4)
Fanny Mendelssohn String Quartet
Troubadisc