DCD 110 - An Orchestra of One

This episode of the DCD Classical 'Cast we feature selections from one of the many recordings Clipper Erickson made for the DTR label. The title of the release "An Orchestra of One" pretty much sums up the concept. Erickson performs a variety of works arranged for solo piano that really test the performer's mettle!

It's an outstanding album of pianistic virtuosity, played by a top-flight artist. This was a show I really enjoyed putting together!

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DCD Classical 'Cast #110 - An Orchestra of One

 - Ralph Graves

This program we play excerpts from "An Orchestra of One" by Clipper Erickson, including:

Johann Sebastian Bach, arr. Myra Hess: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring from Cantata No. 147 BWV 147

Fritz Kriesler arr. by Sergei Rachmaninov: Liebesfreud

Margaret Bonds; Troubled Water

Charles Gounod, arr. by Franz Liszt: Waltz from 'Faust'

DCD 108 - Moments with Annette

Nowadays, Annette DiMedio is a respected pianist and teacher. A native of Philadelphia, she's soloed with the Philadelphia Orchestra as well as orchestras around the world, and currently serves on the faculty of the University of the Arts.

But when she was still a young girl with a promising career ahead of her, she made a recording with the DTR label. This episode we feature selections from that debut recording. The release features not only DiMedio's performances, but also poems she wrote to go with the works. It's an interesting document of an artist who we now know would fulfill the promise of this early recording.

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

DCD Classical 'Cast #108 - Moments with Annette

- Ralph Graves


This episode we play selections from the DTR release, Moments with Annette

Rachmaninoff: Etude Tableaux, Op. 39, No. 5
Annette DiMedio, piano

Chopin: Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48. No. 1
Annette DiMedio, piano

Debussy: La Cathedrale Engloutie
Annette DiMedio, piano

Ginaster: Piano Sonata, mvts. 3 & 4
Annette DiMedio, piano

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 103 - Beethoven: Early Dance Music

This episode we take a closer look at a release we've had before on the DCD Classical 'Cast. Monument Records is dedicated to recording music by Beethoven -- but not just any music. They're after the unusual, the obscure, the under-recorded and sometimes never recorded works by Beethoven.

The release, Beethoven: Early Dance Music, features three such works. The Ritterballet, Hess 89 and the Twelve Minuets for Piano, Hess 101 received their world recording premier with this CD.

The Ritterballet was composed when Beethoven was still in Bonn. While originally for a small orchestra, this incidental music to a "Knight's Play" was later arranged by Beethoven for the keyboard (which is the version included on this release).

In 1796 Beethoven was invited to provide dance music for a charity ball held in Vienna. He composed twelve minuets and twelve German dances for the occasion. All twenty-four of these short, charming dance pieces are included on this recording.

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 #103 - Beethoven: Early Dance Music

- Ralph Graves


This episode we play:

Beethoven: Musik zu einem Ritterballett for piano, Hess 89, Nos. 1-5
Stephen Beck, piano
Monument Records

Beethoven: Twelve Minuets for piano, Hess 101, Nos. 4-7
Stephen Beck, piano
Monument Records

Beethoven: Twelve German Dances for piano, Hess 100, Nos. 8-12
Stephen Beck, piano
Monument Records

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 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